Exercise is a frequently overlooked component of hedgehog health. Over the years I have learned that the more exercise a hedgehog is allowed, the better their health and the better their temperament. To help maintain good health, my hedgehogs are also weighed on a regular basis and the rates recorded on a record card. I recommend that pet owners use a postal scale or kitchen scale to weigh their pets on a regular basis. It does not matter that they use ounces instead of grams, as long as they are consistent. The amount of food and access to extra exercise is based on the needs of the individual animals. In breeding or pet situations where floor exercise is not possible on a regular basis, I recommend that hedgehogs be given access to an appropriate exercise wheel. Regular weigh-ins also help in early identification of health problems. A healthy hedgehog should feel flat on the palm of your hand, neither bony nor flabby.
Fri Jul 06, 2012 4:04 pm
