If you own a pet hedgehog, it is important to gather as many insights as you can in order to care for them properly. One of the problems which owners have to face is the hedgehog’s weight. So what weight should a hedgehog be in order to be healthy?
A healthy hedgehog should weigh between 300 and 500 grams.
Hedgehogs are prone to gaining weight, and it is not healthy for them to do so. Therefore, it is important to keep track of where their calories are going. Similarly, you must also be aware of your hedgehog has been losing too much weight as they may be suffering from an underlying condition.
What Weight Should a Hedgehog be Before it Hibernates?
A hedgehog’s weight does not remain the same throughout its life due to changing circumstances. Therefore, it can be okay for the hedgehog to lose a bit of weight. For instance, a hedgehog’s weight will differ because of hibernation.
You do not have to worry about this if you have a pet hedgehog, as they do not hibernate.
So what weight should a hedgehog be before it hibernates? Before hibernation, hedgehogs need to have enough weight and fat to help them survive the entire period. A hedgehog should weigh approximately around 650 grams before going into hibernation.
Hedgehogs that do not weigh enough will have a hard time surviving the hibernation period and, as a result, can pass away. This is why pet hedgehogs should not hibernate even if they attempt to do so because they do not have enough fat reserves.
After coming out of hibernation, a hedgehog will not weigh as much because it has spent a long time without eating. Hedgehogs lose much weight during hibernation, and when they wake in the spring, they are hungry and thirsty, looking for food.
How Heavy is a Baby Hedgehog?
Baby hedgehogs are tiny when they are born. A baby hedgehog should weigh around 25 grams, or at most one ounce. As hedgehogs get older, they begin to gain weight.
However, not all hedgehogs will weigh the normal amount when they are born. When a hoglet is the smallest among its siblings, it is called the runt of the litter. The runt will weigh less than the other hoglets.
In addition, the runt will also not receive enough attention from the mother, and the other hoglets will take its place during feeding time.
Hence, the hoglet will not receive enough nutrients to grow bigger and stronger like its siblings. However, the hoglet can grow to be the same size and appropriate weight as its siblings with the right diet.
Hence, if you come across a runt, it is important to give them extra attention to grow healthy.
How Heavy is an Adult Hedgehog?
It is important to know where your hedgehog stands on the weighing scale so you can make the necessary changes in its diet. An adult hedgehog should weigh around 500 grams. However, there are some reasons why hedgehogs may experience fluctuations in their weight.
For example, factors like hibernation, pregnancy, and illnesses can cause changes in a hedgehog’s weight. In addition, sometimes hedgehogs can overeat; this is common in pet hedgehogs. Hence, overeating can lead to unhealthy weight gain, which is dangerous for hedgehogs.
You must practice moderation with your hedgehog’s food. It is important to give your hedgehog enough food for it to gain its nutrients. Along with a moderate diet, you must ensure that your hedgehog gets exercise to burn the extra calories.
How To Know If a Hedgehog is Overweight
Keeping a check on your hedgehog’s weight is important, but despite that, you can still miss some obvious signs that your pet is overweight.
The first sign of an overweight hedgehog is its inability to roll into a ball. A hedgehog’s belly will be visible, but any attempts to turn into a ball will remain unsuccessful. If you observe closely, you will notice fat accumulating under its chin, on the knees, and armpits.
A hedgehog will have a round figure, like a ball. Moreover, a fat hedgehog has a hard time walking straight. An overweight hedgehog will weigh around 800 grams, and this is when you should begin cutting fat from its diet.
If your hedgehog has gained immense weight, it is essential to tweak its diet accordingly. It would help if you curated a diet that has more protein and less fat. It is essential to immediately take action as an overweight hedgehog is more susceptible to diseases that affect its joints and heart.
How to Know If a Hedgehog is Underweight
Having an underweight hedgehog is just as dangerous as an overweight one. A hedgehog can be underweight due to various reasons like pregnancy or certain diseases. An underweight hedgehog will have a curved body shape when you view it from above.
It would help if you gave your underweight hedgehog the same protein-based diet but with increased fat. If your hedgehog is a picky eater, you can add some wet kitten food to revive their interest. For your underweight hedgehog, you must keep the fat content to around 15 percent. When you purchase food, keep an eye on the ingredient list, so you get the measurement right.
Summary
Hedgehogs are prone to gaining weight, so it is important to keep a check on your pet. So what weight should a hedgehog be in order to be fit and healthy?
A healthy hedgehog should weigh around 500 grams. However, there can be fluctuations in a hedgehog’s weight due to various reasons. Wild hedgehogs will weigh more before hibernation and less after it because they have long gone without food and water.
You can tell that your hedgehog is overweight if it has difficulty rolling into a ball. However, being underweight for a hedgehog is just as dangerous. A little change in diet and exercise should help your hedgehog back in shape.
