African pygmy hedgehogs are popular exotic pets but have welfare needs that most owners are unprepared to meet — education and regulatory reform can improve outcomes.
Hedgehog welfare in private keeping is frequently poor despite owner good intentions. The species' nocturnal, solitary, thermoregulation-dependent biology is poorly understood by most buyers, and pet shop advice is often inadequate. The results — hibernation attempts causing organ failure, exercise deprivation causing obesity, and inadequate thermal management — are preventable welfare failures. Reform requires better point-of-sale education about hedgehog-specific needs, consideration of licensing requirements for exotic pet ownership, and breeding practices that screen for WHS to reduce its prevalence. Potential owners should research hedgehog care comprehensively before purchase and provide access to an exotic animal veterinarian familiar with the species.