Why Does My Hedgehog Sleep So Much?

It is normal for Hedgehogs to sleep throughout the day. If you are a first-time Hedgehog owner, you might not be acquainted with the sleeping pattern of your pet. Surely, you might be wondering, why is my little pee sleeping so much? It is normal for them to sleep a lot?

Even I was worried about the same during my initial days of being a Hedgehog owner, so I did some research on the same, and here is what I found out!

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep in the day and are their best at night. In general, Hedgehogs need an average sleep of twelve to fourteen hours per day. Therefore, if your Hedgehog is sleeping more than his usual routine, then it could be a sign of an underlying health condition.

With passing days and experience, you will realize that older Hedgehogs tend to sleep more than young Hedgehogs. This is because older Hedgehogs are relatively weak and more used to the environment, so they require more rest.

Now, let us learn some of the common reasons your pet Hedgehog might be sleeping more than his usual routine. But, before that, it is essential to understand if such behavior is common among all Hedgehogs.

Is It Normal For Hedgehog To Sleep All The Time?

When compared to other pets, Hedgehogs have a more extended sleeping period. Adult Hedgehogs need an average sleep of about 12-14 hours eats a day. Baby Hedgehogs tend to sleep even more than that.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals. Therefore, it is pretty normal to find them resting most of the time. Also, most Hedgehogs sleep more than 90% of the day and stay awake at night. This behavior is a part of their natural sleeping cycle.

If you have bought yourself a new Hedgehog, then you will see that he might not even come out of his hiding to play while the lights are on or while you are awake.

However, if you still feel that you rarely find your Hedgehog awake, it might be due to some underlying health conditions. In such cases, the best option is to visit the vet.

Why Is My Hedgehog Sleeping More Than Usual?

There are several reasons why your Hedgehog might be sleeping more than this usual schedule. Some of the reasons might be natural, and you can fix them over time. However, there might be some cases that require medical help.

Now, let us have a quick look at the few significant reasons and try to understand our Hedgehogs better.

Age

Hedgehogs usually sleep for twelve to fourteen hours per day. However, the age of your Hedgehog may affect its sleeping pattern. Baby and old Hedgehogs will tend to sleep more than young-energetic Hedgehogs.

As your Hedgehog will start to grow older, you will see a visible change in their energy levels. Also, you will see that your Hedgehog now prefers to stay alone most of the time.

Furthermore, it would be best never to disturb your older Hedgehog when they are asleep. Therefore, if you wish to play with your Hedgehog, adjusting the playtime according to your pet’s sleeping pattern is the best option.

Boredom

Hedgehogs need both physical and mental stimulation to keep themselves engaged. They cannot sit in a place for a long time.

Just because your Hedgehog lives in a cage does not mean that they need no attention. Therefore, if you ever find your Hedgehog sleeping more than usual, there are chances that he is bored.

Once you start to take care of your Hedgehog’s basic needs, you will notice that your Hedgehog goes back to its regular sleeping pattern.

Stress

Hedgehogs do not handle changes very well. They can get stressed out pretty quickly. If stressed, you will see a noticeable difference in your Hedgehog’s behavior. They will start to act in a lethargic manner.

Some of the common causes that might lead to stress in Hedgehogs are:

  • Sudden loud noises
  • Predators or possible threats
  • Lack of space
  • Sudden change in their routine
  • Excessive handling
  • Sudden temperature fluctuations

It would help if you never ignored your Hedgehog’s stressed-out behavior. In some cases, stress might even lead to loss of appetite and other health complications that can take away your Hedgehog’s life. Therefore, you must provide your Hedgehog with the life they deserve.

Medical Issues

Hedgehogs need adequate care and attention to avoid any health issues. Hedgehogs are excellent at hiding pain. They can hide their pain until it gets severe.

If your Hedgehog is suffering from a health condition, they will not be interested in their food. You must observe your pet regularly and look out for any adverse symptoms. If your little pet shows any unusual or weird behavior, then take them to a vet.

How Many Hours Does A Hedgehog Sleep?

Hedgehogs need sleep of about twelve-fourteen hours per day. If your little pet is not sleeping enough, this may signify a medical condition. Often, Hedgehogs sleep with their eyes open, so it can be difficult for you to tell if they’re awake or asleep.

According to research, roughly 75% of a Hedgehog’s sleep occurs during the night, while the remainder happens during the day. However, each Hedgehog’s pattern may vary.

There is a range of factors from age to exercise that require some Hedgehogs to have different sleeping needs than others. Take recommendations from the veterinarian to keep your Hedgehog well-rested.

Can A Hedgehog Sleep With Me?

Although your Hedgehog can sleep with you, it is not a good idea to do so. It would help if you kept in mind a few concerns before you plan to sleep with your Hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs pee and poop several times a day. Even if you have litter-trained your Hedgehog, there are high chances that he will end up pooping in your bed and maybe over you as well.

Furthermore, you must have known by now that Hedgehogs are active during the night. Therefore, they will even need access to food and water at night, which might turn out to be a problem for you.

In addition, it is not safe for your Hedgehog to sleep with you. If you move around while you are asleep, you might end up hurting or even squishing your Hedgehog very bad which is an essential risk.

Besides this, your Hedgehog might carry specific allergens and diseases. Therefore, the best option is not to let your Hedgehog sleep with you.

Do Hedgehogs Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Mostly all Hedgehogs share the instinct of sleeping with their eyes open. However, your pet Hedgehog will sleep with closed eyes only when he has become entirely comfortable around you.

Being prey animals, Hedgehogs try to remain active and alert most of the time. In the wild, there are a lot of predators looking out for Hedgehogs. Therefore, it is in their instincts to safeguard themselves.

Sometimes, you might even find your little pet sleeping with their eyes closed after playtime or when they are tired.

However, over time, you will find that your Hedgehog feels more secure and relaxed whenever you are around them and will close their eyes. This sign indicated that your Hedgehog has started to trust you implicitly.

Is It Okay To Wake Your Hedgehog Up?

It would be best never to wake up a sleeping Hedgehog as they may get aggressive. Also, such behavior of yours can easily lead to stress in Hedgehogs.

You might even get tempted to wake up your Hedgehog in an attempt to adjust their pets according to their sleeping schedule. However, you must understand that your action can have severe consequences. Therefore, the best option is not to wake up your sleeping Hedgehog.

Do Hedgehogs Curl Up When They Sleep?

Sometimes, you might find a Hedgehog sleeping in a curled-up position. The sleeping position is a part of their defense mechanism. Being prey animals, they do so to protect themselves from predators. However, you will see them sleep in a more relaxed position after some time.

Mohini

Hello, I am Mohini, the founder of this blog. I am a qualified Animal Nutrition. I am here to help everyone understand their pets better.

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