It is important to know details about the pet you are going to get. Since hedgehogs are exotic pets, many people are not familiar with their characteristics. Apart from their sharp quills, there is a lot of information that people often let slip by. So, do hedgehogs have teeth?
You must know that all hedgehogs have teeth which they use to munch their food.
Hedgehogs have a set of teeth that are quite like that of a human being.
Most often, hedgehogs are compared to porcupines, but even in this aspect, hedgehogs are different. Hedgehogs have round teeth, whereas porcupines have long front teeth that keep growing and help them gnaw at things.
Can Hedgehogs Bite You?
Although it is very rare, hedgehogs can bite you. These small mammals are curious, and often biting is a way for them to respond to different scents. Also, since hedgehogs have bad eyesight, they may bite new people or objects to see if it is food for them.
However, you should not stop yourself from getting a pet hedgehog if it bites. All pets bite and hedgehogs are not different from any of them.
Do Hedgehog Bites Hurt?
Hedgehogs have teeth that are quite like human beings. As hedgehogs are confused for rodents, people assume that their bites hurt. However, rodents have pointed teeth that they use for gnawing.
On the other hand, hedgehogs possess flat teeth. Hence, if your hedgehog ever bites you, it will not hurt. Moreover, a hedgehog’s bite will not tear your skin and feels like a small pinch.
If your hedgehog ever bites you, you should not pull your hand away; instead, push it forward so it releases your finger. Also, spending a lot of time with your hedgehog and bonding with it will prevent it from biting you.
How Sharp are Hedgehog’s Teeth?
Hedgehogs have teeth that are smooth and like a human. Hence, a hedgehog biting you will feel like a small nip.
Since hedgehogs do not gnaw, they do not require sharp teeth as rodents do.
How Many Teeth Do Hedgehogs Have?
Yes, hedgehogs have teeth. These spined animals have 44 small teeth that include molars, premolars, canine, and incisors, just like humans do.
When hedgehogs are around three weeks old, they get their teeth to bite and chew their whole lives.
Is Dental Care Important for Hedgehogs?
Many pet parents believe that dental care is unimportant for hedgehogs.
However, like in humans, lack of teeth hygiene can pose many problems and lead to many dental diseases. Even if you are not comfortable brushing your hedgehog’s teeth, you can get it professionally done.
It would help if you took your pet hedgehog to your vet for monthly checkups to stay updated with your hedgehog’s health. These small mammals tend to hide diseases, so it is best to be on top of your hedgehog’s health to ensure that it does not fall ill.
How to Take Care of Hedgehog’s Dental Health
You can certainly take care of your hedgehog’s dental health from the comfort of your home. To begin brushing your hedgehog’s teeth, you do not require toothpaste. Instead, you can use a wet Q-tip and gently rub it against your hedgehog’s teeth.
It is important to remain soft and steady with your hedgehog as any fast movements can make it anxious and afraid.
There can be times when your hedgehog’s gums may being to bleed as you are brushing them. This means that your hedgehog has sensitive gums. However, if you notice a large amount of blood, you should contact your vet.
If there is a lot of plaque and tartar, and you cannot properly brush and get it out, there is no other option but to seek professional treatment for your hedgehog.
What Kind of Dental Diseases Can Hedgehogs Get?
Unfortunately, dental diseases are very common in hedgehogs. One common problem is the accumulation of plaque and tartar on your hedgehog’s teeth. If there is too much plaque on the gum line, it can cause a lack of blood supply to the gums, which is harmful.
You can try removing some of the softer plaque yourself at home, but for the harder plaque, your hedgehog will need to go through professional treatment.
Most hedgehogs also suffer from tooth fractures as well as tooth root abscesses. This is when hedgehogs have pus around the root of the tooth. If you notice a bump under your hedgehog’s eye, it can be because it has a bad tooth infection.
Your vet may extract the infected tooth and prescribe antibiotics and pain medications to help your hedgehog.
Gingivitis and oral tumours are also common in hedgehogs.
If your hedgehog is suffering from dental problems, there are a few symptoms that you can look out for. For example, your hedgehog may suffer from a loss of appetite, have bad breath, and may constantly paw at its mouth.
Moreover, your hedgehog may also have blood around its mouth.
Summary
Hedgehogs have teeth that are like human beings. Often compared to porcupines and rodents, hedgehogs have different teeth. Hedgehogs have 44 flat and round teeth and comprise incisors, molars, and premolars like we do.
Since hedgehogs do not gnaw at things, they do not require long sharp teeth. Like all animals, hedgehogs do bite. However, a hedgehog’s bite will not hurt and pierce the skin, depending on where it bites you.
Since hedgehogs have bad vision, they will bite new people and objects to recognize them.
It is important to take care of your hedgehog’s dental health as they are prone to many dental diseases. If you are uncomfortable taking care of your hedgehog’s teeth, you can seek professional help.
At home, you can brush your hedgehog’s teeth without toothpaste using only a wet Q-tip. If your hedgehog is suffering from dental diseases, there are symptoms you should look out for.
These symptoms include loss of appetite, bad breath, blood in the mouth, and constant pawing at the mouth.
