Being a Hedgehog owner, it can be a matter of great concern for you if your Hedgehog is not moving at all. Thousands of different thoughts cross our minds when we see our little pet still, but why is my Hedgehog not moving? Is he ill? Has he hurt himself? Or is it something even worse?
There are a lot of reasons why your Hedgehog might not be moving. Fear, illness, severe pain, and old age are common causes that restrict our little one’s movements. Sometimes, newly-housed Hedgehogs hide and do not show much activity. Also, baby Hedgehogs do not offer much action during the first few weeks.
If your Hedgehog is not eating or excreting, it can be a significant health concern that needs immediate medical attention.
Hedgehogs are pretty active. They constantly move from one corner of the cage to another.
There might be cases where you notice a sudden change in their behavior. These symptoms can even be signs of a severe medical condition.
It is now time for us to discuss this topic in detail. Stick with us till the end of the article to understand the various instances when not moving around much could be the expected behavior of our Hedgehogs and when we should be worried about our Hedgehogs.
Is It Normal For Hedgehogs To Not Move?
It is scarce for a Hedgehog not to move for a long time. However, Hedgehogs generally cannot sit in one place for an extended period.
If your pet Hedgehog has not moved for a long time, then there is high chance that it might be going through some serious health condition.
Even if your pet looks comfortable and well settled but has not moved in a while, you must check on them.
Arthritis and paralysis can result in severe pain, restricting your Hedgehog’s movement.
In some cases, even the feeling of fear can freeze the Hedgehogs.
For instance, any predator near your Hedgehog can scare them easily. This feeling of fear can result in your Hedgehog not moving at all.
Sometimes, even loud noises can scare our Hedgehogs to death.
If you have any suspicions about your Hedgehog’s healthy, then it is advised to take them to a vet as soon as possible.
What Does It Mean When My Hedgehog Is Not Moving?
Your Hedgehog might not be moving due to several reasons.
Some causes can be severe and need immediate medical attention, while others might be natural cases that can get fixed over time.
Now, let us look at the various situations and what it means for our Hedgehogs.
Hedgehog Not Moving But Breathing
If your Hedgehog is not showing any movements but still has some breathing patterns, it probably means that your little one has some underlying health concerns.
Hedgehogs cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. Overheating in Hedgehogs often leads to fast breathing and other health issues.
If your little one is suffering from respiratory issues, he might have difficulty breathing. In such cases, they will hardly move.
Hedgehog Not Eating Or Moving
If your Hedgehog is not eating or moving at all, then there are chances of something wrong with your little one.
Your little pet might have stopped moving or eating for many reasons. But, first, there is a possibility that they might be suffering from some health complications like dental pain, respiratory problems, or something even more critical.
Your pet will turn weak if he has not eaten anything for a long time. Also, he will be unable to move to the lack of nutrition in his body.
In such cases, it is best to take your Hedgehog to a vet as soon as possible. Your vet will do the needful.
Hedgehog Not Moving Back Legs
There is high chance that something is wrong with your Hedgehogs if they are not moving their back legs.
Hedgehogs can easily climb or jump off and hurt themselves.
A fall from that height can result in limb or tissue injury, due to which our little pet may not be able to walk well.
It would help if you looked out for other signs of physical injury or illness in them. If your Hedgehog is not well, schedule an appointment with a vet.
Hedgehog Not Moving And Cold
If you ever find your Hedgehog not moving and their body temperature is freezing, there are high chance of passing away.
Though it can be challenging for any pet parent, every owner has to go through it.
There have been cases where Hedgehog passes away suddenly without showing signs of initial discomfort or illness.
New Hedgehog Not Moving
If you have got yourself a new Hedgehog, you need to give them some days to settle in the new environment and to get comfortable.
It is usual for a newly-house Hedgehog not to move around much and hide now and then.
During the first few days, they are likelier to come out of their hiding area only when no one is around. However, you will see them moving even in your presence once they are accustomed to the surroundings.
Baby Hedgehog Not Moving
It is usual for Hedgehogs not to move in the first few weeks. However, if you are still concerned, check on your pet and look carefully to learn if they are breathing normally.
I advise you to leave them alone with their mother until they are weaned. During the first few days, they lie around their mother and do not move much. However, you will see movements in them after a day or two.
Recommended Reading:
- What NOT To Feed Your Pet Hedgehog! (You Must Be Aware)
- Why Is My Hedgehog Losing Weight? (All You Need To Know)
- What Does Hedgehog Poop Look Like? (Normal & Abnormal Poop)
- Mites In Hedgehogs: Everything You Need To Know
- Why Is My Hedgehog Not Drinking Water?
What To Do If Your Hedgehog Is Not Moving?
You need to take a few steps if your Hedgehog has not moved for a long time.
If you ever find your Hedgehog in such a static state, it is essential to look for symptoms of further health complications.
If you feel your Hedgehog is sick or suffering from a health condition, you must consult a vet as soon as possible.
There are a few things that you can do to understand the cause behind the same and help your Hedgehog.
Listed below are a few things that you must keep in mind:
- If your Hedgehog is panting or breathing heavily, you must take steps to calm them. Start by checking the temperature of their body and give them some room for fresh air. A few times, heatstrokes often freeze a Hedgehog’s movements.
- Look if your Hedgehog’s cage has any traces of blood. If you identify any injury in any part of your pet’s body, then take them to a vet as soon as possible. If your Hedgehog is bleeding, apply some antiseptic to its wound until you reach the vet.
- Check your pet’s cage to find if your pet passes any feces or urinal excretion. If not, it could signify that he suffers from some health complications. It can even be GI stasis.
- Their movement can be restricted if your pet is sick or in severe pain. Your duty and responsibility are to take proper care of your sick Hedgehog and provide them with the necessary treatment.
- Another major factor that can change our Hedgehog’s behavior is stress. A depressed or stressed Hedgehog is more likely to hide and not move much. In such cases, cheer up your pet and provide them additional care.
How Do I Know If My Hedgehog Is Dying?
A domesticated Hedgehog has an average life span of 3-5 if kept with proper care and attention. On the other hand, wild Hedgehogs mostly survive for two years.
If your Hedgehog is approaching his last days, you will start noticing some signs beforehand. Specific changes in your Hedgehog’s body will tell you that its death is near.
The sooner you detect your Hedgehog’s health issues and illness signs, the better you will be able to manage the last few days of your pet’s life. So, without any further delay, let’s get right into what these signs are:
- Loss Of Appetite
- Extreme Fatigue/ Loss Of Energy
- Change In Body Vitals
- Difficulty In Breathing
- Discharge From Eye, Mouth & Nose
- Tumors And Cancer
- Inability To Curl Up
- Weird Noises
- Loss Of Bladder And Bowel Control
- Shivering/Shaking
Also Read: 10 Signs That Show Your Hedgehog Is Dying
How Do You Know If A Hedgehog Is Hibernating?
To determine if your pet Hedgehog is hibernating, you will need to observe his breathing, body temperature, responsiveness, and overall appearance.
Keep a check on the following signs to keep your Hedgehog away from hibernation:
- Your Hedgehog will start to binge-eat
- You will often notice your Hedgehog shivering
- Your Hedgehog will become lethargic
- Check your Hedgehog’s body temperature
- Check your Hedgehog’s heartbeat
- Your Hedgehog will stop eating once he has gone into hibernation
- Your Hedgehog will remain stiff
- Your Hedgehog’s body will turn cold
If you are suspicious about your hedgehog’s health, I would advise you to take it to a vet as soon as possible.
