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Your Hedgehog
If you own a hedgehog, you also need to own a kitchen scale that can hold a container big enough to hold your hedgehog for regular weigh-ins. You will be amazed at how easy it is for domestic hedgehogs to become overweight, and being overweight can really be deadly for a hedgehog.
First, in most cases, you cannot tell if your hedgehog is overweight just by looking at him…unless he is overweight to the point where he cannot roll into a ball. If he cannot roll into a ball, he is past overweight, and has become morbidly obese. Get him to the veterinarian and on a diet as soon as possible. Otherwise, he needs to be weighed about once a month.
Experts agree that the average weight for an adult hedgehog is about 500 grams. This, however, may not be a good weight for your hedgehog, since all hedgehogs, like people, are different. You can, however, use 500 grams as a base to start with. As with people, there will be a proper weight for your hedgehog, as well as a point where he is considered overweight, and a point where he is considered underweight. You just have to figure out where those points are.
The proper weight for your hedgehog can be determined by weighing him, and then doing a quick examination with your hands. Look at your hedgehog from every angle possible. He should be shaped like a tear drop or a pear when looking at him from the top down. His body should flow, without bulges or lumps, and his back end should be nicely rounded.
If your hedgehog is overweight, he will have a bulgy appearance. He may still resemble a pear, in a way, but he won’t be quite as pear shaped as a hedgehog that is at the proper weight. There will be ripples and bulges, and he may not be able to perform simple movements as easily as a hedgehog who is in good shape, like rolling into a ball.
If your hedgehog is underweight, there will be visible signs of this. First, he may have a longer, leaner appearance, instead of a nice rounded appearance. He may have an hour glass shape, instead of a pear shape. While this is ideal in humans, it is not ideal in hedgehogs. Furthermore, you will be able to easily feel his ribs when you are holding him, and his hip bones will jut out a bit.
If your hedgehog is underweight or overweight, make sure that you get advice from your veterinarian in order to get your little friend back into shape – for his own good. Remember that being underweight has just as many ill effects as being overweight…for people and hedgehogs alike.
Hedgehogs, Hedgehogs information, Hedgehog tips, Hedgehog pets, Hedgehog advice
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