It is essential to balance the temperature around our pets. If you have a hedgehog, maintaining adequate warmth for them in the cold is your duty as a responsible pet owner. There are many ways to provide warmth, but will they require heat lamps? Let’s find out.
Hedgehogs might need a heat lamp if they stay around temperatures below 60°F. However, you must be careful. As heat lamps emit radiation, it can be harmful if you use them roughly. Furthermore, you don’t have to use it if the temperature doesn’t dip that low.
You need to know many things about heat lamps if you are a beginner. Read to understand the importance of using heat lamps. There are some other alternative ways to warm up your Hedgehogs.
Why Do Hedgehogs Need A Heat Lamp?
Hedgehogs may require a heat lamp in some situations, but they won’t need it under certain circumstances. It depends on the temperature they are exposed to.
If your hedgehog stays at a place where the surrounding temperatures are above 75°F, it will not need any heat lamps.
Above 60°F-70°F, Hedgehogs will be able to keep themselves naturally warm. You don’t have to put in any extra effort.
At such temperatures, the hedgehogs maintain their warmth by clustering with their partner/s and using other things in their living space, for example, a blanket.
However, if the temperature goes below 60°F, which is common in the winter, they will need extra help from your side for some warmth.
They will begin to shiver, curl and even go into hibernation if they receive too much cold for a long time.
The heat they will receive from their partner/s won’t be enough for them as the weather gets colder at night.
So, this is when the Hedgehogs will require heat lamps as one alternative to get warmth.
Also Read: Hedgehog Cage Essentials
What Heat Lamp Does A Hedgehog Need?
Not all types of heat lamps are suitable for our hedgehogs.
If you plan to get your little pet a heat lamp, make sure it is suitable for small pets.
Several options are available on this subject, and you can use anyone that seems suitable for your hedgehogs.
In general, ceramic or infrared heat lamps work best for our hedgehogs.
Both of these lamps have their pros and cons. After learning the merits and demerits, you can choose the best one for your hedgehog.
Ceramic Heat Emitters (CHE)
Ceramic Heat Emitters (CHE) are one of the best options for our Hedgehogs. However, these lamps can be expensive.
The lamps run electricity through the ceramic elements. The electricity heats the ceramic and emits heat into the surrounding environment.
In addition, these lamps have a pretty long lifespan. Also, your hedgehog will probably have a tough time moving around these lamps.
CHEs provide the little pets with the perfect amount of heat they need, especially during cold days.
Even during a power outage, the heater will still emit if there is fuel.
However, you cannot use them with heavyweight lamps and try to avoid collisions between the lamp and other things.
Besides this, it can be scorching if used for a long time, which can be dangerous.
Moreover, your pet may receive burns if they even touch them mistakenly.
Radiant Heat Emitters
The next best option as heat lamps for our Hedgehogs is the radiant heat emitters. These emitters provide a significant amount of heat.
However, you need to install them very carefully to avoid accidents.
The effect of using this emitter is likable when the question is about giving the right amount of warmth to the pets.
As the heat intensity is high, they can be helpful during cold days.
On the other hand, being more powerful, they must be kept at a proper distance from your hedgehogs.
If kept too close, the intense heat can burn the cells and tissues of your little pets.
How Much Heat Does A Hedgehog Need?
The ideal temperature for Hedgehogs ranges from 75°F-85°F (24°C- 30°C).
If you live in a place with extreme winters, you might need to look into some heat source or another alternative method to keep them warm in their enclosure.
If the temperature drops below 60°F(15°F), your Hedgehog might suffer from various health complications and even freeze to death in extreme cases.
So, maintaining an ideal temperature range in their enclosure is a must.
What Temperature Is Too Cold For Hedgehogs?
As already discussed above, the ideal temperature for Hedgehogs to live is 75°F-85°F (24°C- 30°C). If the temperature falls below 60°F (15°C), your Hedgehog can enter into a state of hibernation.
If you live in an area where the mercury dips below this point, consider taking proper precautions to keep your little pet warm and cozy.
Where Does A Hedgehog’s Heat Lamp Go?
The best place to put the heat lamp is on the top of the cage of your Hedgehogs.
Also, while putting it anywhere on top of the cage is safe, you should put the heat lamp in the corner. This will give your hedgehog a way to move away from the heat when it needs to.
Do Hedgehogs Need A Heat Lamp At Night?
A couple of factors determine whether your hedgehog will need it or not. Some factors are the time of the year, how cold the house/apartment gets at night, and where you live.
During the winter, if the room the hedgehog is kept in gets freezing, you may want to add an extra heat source at night for them.
Consider getting a ceramic heater. This product provides the needed heat for them, but without the light.
Recommended Reading:
- Why Is My Hedgehog Shaking? (Causes+How To Prevent)
- Why Is My Hedgehog Always Hiding? (Reasons+What To Do)
- Do Hedgehogs Die Easily? (All You Must Know)
- Why Does My Hedgehog Sleep So Much?
- Why Is My Hedgehog Not Moving? (Owners Guide)
How Can I Keep My Hedgehog Warm Without A Heat Lamp?
Maintaining a perfect warm temperature around your hedgehogs is essential, especially during cold days.
It is crucial to strike a balance of temperature. With an improper and abrupt drop in temperature, hedgehogs often tend to go into hibernation.
However, using heat lamps in the wrong way can make them overheat.
There might be times when your hedgehogs will not require so much as the heat lamps provide.
Therefore, if you think they don’t require so much heat or are unsure of using heat lamps, you can use other alternatives to warm them up. Here are some ways to increase the warmth in their surrounding:
Heat Pads
Heat pads are considered safe around our Hedgehogs. There are many types of heat pads suitable for our little pets.
Heat pads don’t harm the health of hedgehogs. Unlike heat lamps, you can keep these pads in their cage to warm them up.
It will work for at least 8 hours, and your hedgehog can safely snuggle up to them for warmth.
Microwavable heat pads are safe and can provide adequate warmth for some time. It is suitable for short cold days and nights.
Electric heat pads will also maintain enough warmth once plugged in.
Blanket Or Towel
Blankets or towels are one of the easiest ways to provide our Hedgehogs with some warmth.
There is no chance of excessive warmth, burning, overheating, or electricity. However, blankets and towels are good if the weather is slightly cold.
Wrapping around the towels or blankets will prevent their body heat from dodging. To give them enough warmth, you can give them a fleece blanket.
It will work well during cold days and nights.
The Brick Method
The brick method requires some effort. Place a small clay pot near the hedgehog can and place a brick in it.
Make the bottom of the brick sitting on the bottom half of the container.
The heat from the brick will reach the hedgehogs instead of scattering to the ground.
Hot Water Bottles
Another easy way to provide the hedgehog warmth is through water bottles.
Fill in a water bottle with hot water, wrap it with a towel or cloth and then place it inside your pet’s cage.
The cloth should be large enough for the hedgehogs to cuddle. Make sure to place the water bottle where they can’t touch it.
Otherwise, they will face burns.
Heated Rocks
Please search for a large rock and heat it in a microwave at 200°C.
Carefully bring it out of the oven and place it near the Hedgehogs’ cage.
Make sure they don’t touch the rock. It is uncommon because not everyone can get such a big rock.
Beanies
Beanies are tiny hats and other pet accessories, just like our sweaters and pullovers.
Make or buy a beanie and place your hedgehog in it.
Ensure that the pet’s head is not covered, and the beanie should not be too tight for the hedgehogs to fit it.
