# Why Is My Hedgehog Not Eating? Causes and What to Do A hedgehog that stops eating is usually telling you something is wrong, either with its environment or its health. Appetite loss in hedgehogs is a common sign of illness, stress, or a husbandry problem, and it should never be ignored for more than a day or two. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - A healthy hedgehog eats most of its food each night, so a full food bowl in the morning is a warning sign. - Sudden appetite loss with lethargy, weight loss, or breathing trouble needs a same-day vet visit. - Check the basics first: temperature, cage setup, fresh food, and clean water. - Weigh your hedgehog weekly on a kitchen scale so you catch weight loss early. - Never force-feed or give human medications. Let your veterinarian decide the plan. ## What Appetite Loss Looks Like and What Is Normal Hedgehogs are nocturnal. They wake at dusk, root around, and eat through the night. A normal hedgehog finishes most or all of its food by morning. So the clearest sign of a problem is a bowl that still looks full. You may also notice other changes. Your hedgehog might refuse its favorite treats, leave food scattered but uneaten, or stop coming out of its hide at night. Some hedgehogs become quiet and sleep more. Others lose weight even if they still nibble. Weight is the most reliable measure you have at home. A hedgehog that is losing weight is not getting enough calories, no matter how much it seems to eat. Weigh yours weekly and write down the number. A steady drop over two or three weeks is a reason to call your vet. Some hedgehogs are picky. A new food, a moved cage, or a noisy room can cause a short hunger strike. That kind of appetite loss usually lasts a day or two and clears up once the stress goes away. Anything longer deserves a closer look. ## Why Is My Hedgehog Not Eating? The Main Causes Appetite loss is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The list of possible causes is long, and many of them overlap. Here are the ones veterinarians see most often. ### Husbandry and Stress Causes - **Temperature too cold.** Hedgehogs need a warm enclosure, usually in the mid-70s Fahrenheit. A cold hedgehog may try to hibernate, which is dangerous for pet African pygmy hedgehogs. - **New environment.** A new home, a new cage, or a new cage mate can cause a temporary hunger strike. - **Bad food or dirty water.** Old kibble, spoiled food, or a dirty water bottle will put any hedgehog off eating. - **Too much handling.** Constant waking during the day stresses a hedgehog and can suppress appetite. - **Dental pain.** Broken teeth, tartar buildup, and gum disease make chewing painful. A hedgehog with dental problems may drop food, chew on one side, or refuse hard kibble but still take soft food. ### Medical Causes Many diseases cause appetite loss in hedgehogs. Some are common, and some are rare but serious. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Dental disease | Dropping food, drooling, bad breath, chewing on one side | See a vet within a few days | | Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) | Weight loss, drinking more, wobbling, severe anorexia [1] | Same day | | Kidney disease | Weight loss, weakness, poor coat, bone changes on imaging [2] | Same day | | Cryptosporidiosis (gut parasite) | Diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, weight loss [3] | Same day | | Bacterial gut infection | Diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, lethargy [4] | Same day | | Systemic infection | Lethargy, fever, swollen limbs, breathing trouble [5] | Emergency | | Cancer or organ disease | Slow weight loss, lumps, changes in behavior over weeks | See a vet soon | | Hibernation attempt | Cold body, curled tight, unresponsive to food | Emergency | High blood sugar is more common than many owners expect. In one review of 252 hedgehogs, 28 had severe hyperglycemia, a prevalence of 11.1%, and the death rate in that group was 53.6% [1]. The severity of anorexia on the day of diagnosis was linked to whether the hedgehog survived [1]. That is a strong reason to treat appetite loss as a medical sign, not a mood. Kidney disease can also show up as appetite loss. A young hedgehog with renal dysplasia had anorexia, weight loss, and breathing trouble, and imaging later showed bone changes from the kidney problem [2]. Gut parasites are another cause. In a group of overwintering hedgehogs, four juveniles were hospitalized with anorexia, smelly diarrhea, and dehydration, and Cryptosporidium was found in their stool [3]. Bacterial infections of the gut can cause the same picture. Salmonella and Proteus species have been found in hedgehogs with gastrointestinal disease, and these infections can spread to people, so hand washing matters [4]. Rare systemic infections, including Mycobacterium marinum, have also caused anorexia and lethargy in a pet hedgehog [5]. ## Red Flags That Mean Emergency Some signs mean you should stop reading and call a veterinarian now. Do not wait to see if your hedgehog improves on its own. - **Not eating for more than 24 to 48 hours.** - **Any weight loss that keeps going.** - **Trouble breathing, open-mouth breathing, or wheezing.** - **Cold body or a hedgehog that will not uncurl.** - **Diarrhea, vomiting, or a swollen belly.** - **Bleeding from the mouth, drooling, or a visibly broken tooth.** - **Collapse, seizures, or a hedgehog that cannot stand.** - **A wound, scab, or swollen limb.** A swollen hindlimb with a black scab turned out to be part of a serious systemic infection in one reported case [5]. If you see any of these, treat it as an emergency. Hedgehogs are small, and they decline fast. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While You Wait You cannot diagnose your hedgehog at home, but you can make it comfortable and gather useful information for your vet. 1. **Check the temperature.** Use a thermometer in the cage. If it is below the mid-70s, warm the room or add a safe heat source. 2. **Offer fresh food and water.** Throw out old kibble. Wash the bowl and water bottle. Try a small amount of a food your hedgehog usually loves. 3. **Keep a log.** Write down what you offered, what was eaten, and when. Note any diarrhea, vomiting, or changes in behavior. 4. **Weigh daily if possible.** A kitchen scale that reads in grams works well. Bring the numbers to your appointment. 5. **Reduce stress.** Keep the room quiet, dim the lights at night, and limit handling to what is needed for care. 6. **Do not force-feed.** Never push food or liquid into your hedgehog's mouth. That can cause choking or pneumonia. 7. **Do not give human medicines.** Pain relievers and other drugs that are safe for people can be toxic to hedgehogs. If your hedgehog also has a dog or cat in the home, appetite loss in one pet does not mean the others are affected. But if you want to compare notes, our guide on [why your dog is not eating](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-not-eating) covers the same basic rule: a pet that skips more than a meal or two needs a vet. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test Your vet will start with a full history. Bring your weight log, your food and temperature notes, and a list of any changes at home. Then expect a hands-on exam. The exam usually includes: - **Weight and body condition.** A precise weight helps your vet judge how much has been lost. - **Mouth and teeth check.** This is where dental problems show up. - **Abdominal palpation.** Your vet feels for masses, pain, or an enlarged organ. - **Hydration check.** Dehydration is common with diarrhea and vomiting [3]. - **Temperature and breathing assessment.** Testing often follows. Common tests include a blood glucose check, a complete blood count, a chemistry panel, and a fecal exam. A blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL or higher is considered severe hyperglycemia in hedgehogs, and the average in one study was 269.1 mg/dL [1]. A fecal test can find parasites like Cryptosporidium [3] or bacteria like Salmonella and Proteus [4]. Imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound can show kidney changes, bone changes, or masses [2][5]. Treatment depends on the cause. It may include fluids, antibiotics, antiparasitic drugs, a change in diet, dental care, or management of blood sugar. Your vet will calculate any medication dose from your hedgehog's weight and health. Never guess a dose on your own. If you keep other exotic pets, appetite loss can look different across species. Our article on [why your snake is not eating](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/reptile-care/snake-not-eating) explains how temperature and stress drive feeding in reptiles, and the same principle of checking the environment first applies to hedgehogs. ## Prevention and Daily Monitoring Most appetite problems are easier to prevent than to treat. A few habits go a long way. - **Keep the cage warm and stable.** Check the temperature daily. - **Feed a balanced hedgehog diet.** Use a quality commercial kibble and limit treats. - **Refresh food and water every day.** Remove anything that has been sitting out. - **Weigh weekly.** Record the number so you spot trends. - **Watch the litter box.** Note stool color, consistency, and any diarrhea. - **Schedule routine vet visits.** A yearly exam catches dental disease and weight changes early. - **Wash your hands after handling.** Some hedgehog infections can spread to people [4]. If your hedgehog lives with a cat or dog, keep an eye on their appetites too. A cat that stops eating has its own set of risks, which our guide on [why your cat is not eating](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-not-eating) covers in detail. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific hedgehog. Only a veterinarian who examines your pet can do that. Use the timing below as a guide. **Call now (emergency):** trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, a cold or unresponsive hedgehog, severe diarrhea or vomiting, a swollen limb or wound, or no eating for more than 48 hours. **Call the same day:** appetite loss with weight loss, drinking more than usual, wobbling, or a hedgehog that is quiet and hiding more than normal. **Call for a routine visit:** a slow drop in appetite over several days, mild weight loss, bad breath, or dropping food while chewing. When in doubt, call your vet. A short phone conversation can help you decide whether to come in. It is always better to be told you did not need to worry than to wait too long. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long can a hedgehog go without eating? A hedgehog should not go more than 24 to 48 hours without eating. Small pets burn energy fast, and a hedgehog that stops eating can become weak and dehydrated quickly. If your hedgehog has refused food for a full day, call your veterinarian. ### Can stress make my hedgehog stop eating? Yes, stress is a common cause of short-term appetite loss. A new home, a moved cage, loud noises, or too much daytime handling can all put a hedgehog off its food. If the stressor goes away and your hedgehog is still not eating after a day or two, it needs a vet visit. ### What should I feed a hedgehog that is not eating? Offer fresh, familiar food and clean water, and keep the cage warm. Do not force-feed or try home remedies. If your hedgehog will not eat on its own, your veterinarian may recommend a specific supportive diet and show you how to use it safely. ### Could dental problems be the reason my hedgehog is not eating? Yes. Broken teeth, tartar, and gum disease cause pain that makes chewing hard. A hedgehog with dental problems may drop food, drool, or refuse hard kibble while still eating soft food. A vet can examine the mouth and treat the problem. ### Is appetite loss in hedgehogs ever normal? A brief dip in appetite can happen after a move or a change in routine, and it usually clears up in a day or two. Ongoing appetite loss, weight loss, or any other symptom is not normal. Treat it as a medical sign and get your hedgehog checked. ## Related Articles - [Why Is My Hedgehog So Grumpy? Behavior and Health Clues](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/hedgehog-grumpy-behavior) - [Why Is My Hedgehog Bleeding? Causes and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/small-mammal-care/why-is-my-hedgehog-bleeding) ## References 1. [Hyperglycemia in Pet African Pygmy Hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris): Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognostic Indicators of Severe Hyperglycemia](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40427332/). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2025. 2. [Bilateral renal dysplasia with systemic fibrous osteodystrophy in a four-toed hedgehog (Atelerixalbiventris)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38169169/). Journal of comparative pathology, 2024. 3. [Cryptosporidium erinacei and C. parvum in a group of overwintering hedgehogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27344109/). European journal of protistology, 2016. 4. [Detection and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae and Proteus spp. associated with gastrointestinal disease in rescued hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42727236/). Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases, 2026. 5. [Eosinophilic Leukaemia and Systemic Mycobacterium marinum Infection in an African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33288148/). Journal of comparative pathology, 2020. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: All Other Pets](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets)