Generally speaking, people know a lot about hedgehog quills. But that’s about it. So let’s start with the basics: Do hedgehogs have sharp teeth too?
Hedgehogs do not have sharp teeth when compared to other animals of the same size. In fact, hedgehogs have teeth like humans.
It may appear that hedgehogs have sharp teeth. Small mammals are often compared to rats because of their small size. However, hedgehogs do not have the sharp teeth that rats have because they do not gnaw and are not rodents.
Hedgehogs have human-like teeth and do not need sharp teeth to eat things.
How Many Premolars Do Hedgehogs Have?
As aforementioned, hedgehogs have teeth like humans. Hedgehogs have three premolars in their teeth set. Apart from the premolars, hedgehogs also have three incisors, one canine, and three molars.
Do Hedgehog Teeth Grow Back?
Like all animals, when hedgehogs are born, they do not have teeth. However, after eighteen or twenty days of being born, hoglets grow their first set of teeth. You can call these milk teeth or baby teeth.
Hoglets have fully grown milk teeth when they are seven or nine weeks of age.
Pet parents can get a little confused when it comes to a hedgehog’s teeth. When hedgehogs are seven or nine weeks old, they will begin to lose their teeth. Adult teeth replace milk teeth.
Hedgehogs get a permanent set of teeth of around 36 to 44. The milk teeth that hedgehogs lose are small, and one does not notice them as a pet parent. Hedgehogs usually swallow and eat their milk teeth. Therefore, it is very rare for a pet parent to spot a hedgehog’s milk teeth.
Do Hedgehogs Bite?
As much as people are concerned about a hedgehog’s quills, they also wish to know if a hedgehog would bite them. All animals bite, and hedgehogs are no different. However, it is very rare for a hedgehog to bite, especially aggressively.
Hedgehogs are curious animals, and they may bite out of curiosity. You must also know that hedgehogs are sensitive to smells. Therefore, if they encounter a new scent, hedgehogs will bite the object or person to see if they recognize it.
If a hedgehog’s bite is the reason you have decided against getting one, then stop right there. A hedgehog biting you will not hurt. Hedgehogs do not have sharp teeth like rodents. Rodents have sharp teeth, while hedgehogs have human-like teeth, flat teeth.
So if your hedgehog bites you, it will not hurt or puncture your skin.
If you do experience a hedgehog bite, instead of pulling your hand or that area away, push it forward. By pushing forward, your hedgehog will know to stop biting. Hedgehogs bite if they are unfamiliar with something or someone.
If you spend quality time with your hedgehog and bond with it, it will not bite you.
What Are Signs of Hedgehog Teeth Issues?
Unfortunately, hedgehogs can also experience dental issues. Unfortunately, it is not easy for new pet parents to tell if their hedgehog is experiencing teeth issues. However, there are certain signs that you should look for if you suspect that your hedgehog is not feeling well.
It is always best to monitor your hedgehog and keep track of its habits, so you detect any problem as early as possible.
If your hedgehog is experiencing any teeth problems, it will have difficulty chewing and swallowing food. In addition, by looking close enough, you will notice that your hedgehog may have swelling around its mouth, specifically, lips, chin as well as gums.
There are other signs that you can look for which indicate that your hedgehog has teeth issues:
For example, you will find your hedgehog pawing at its mouth or drooling excessively. If your hedgehog feels pain in its mouth, it will not eat much resulting in weight loss. In addition, if you notice any blood around your hedgehog’s mouth, it is also a sign of a dental problem.
Therefore, it is wise to consult the vet as quickly as possible upon noticing these signs.
How To Do Hedgehog Dental Care
Providing dental care to your hedgehog is the best way to prevent any teeth issues. To stay on top of any dental problem, the best thing to do is to frequently examine the hedgehog’s mouth for any signs of infection.
Another way to focus on dental care is deciding what kind of food to give your hedgehog. The food you give your hedgehog should not be too crunchy, making it impossible for your hedgehog to bite.
It is also best to give soft food to your hedgehog. If your hedgehog has lost its teeth, it would not be smart to give it hard food which it cannot chew.
To keep your hedgehog’s dental hygiene in check, do the obvious: brush its teeth! Many people forget how important it is to brush your pet’s teeth. You can brush your hedgehog’s teeth using a cotton bud and plain water.
This way, you will ensure that your hedgehog’s teeth are clean, along with keeping a check on them.
Summary
Contrary to popular belief, hedgehogs do not have sharp teeth. Instead, hedgehogs have flat teeth that are human-like. Hedgehogs have canines, molars, and premolars like humans. These small mammals have three premolars.
When hedgehogs are born, they have no teeth. After a few days of being born, hedgehogs get their milk teeth. These milk teeth break and are replaced by adult hedgehog teeth. Hedgehogs have a set of 36 to 44 teeth.
Like all pets, hedgehogs also bite. However, one should not fear a hedgehog’s bite. Since hedgehogs do not have sharp teeth, the bite does not hurt. Hedgehogs bite out of curiosity, so if you bond with your pet, it will not bite you.
However, hedgehogs can experience dental problems that you can avoid by feeding them the right food and brushing their teeth.
