Pet hedgehogs have specific and often unmet needs for exercise, diet, and temperature. Understanding their requirements prevents the suffering common in poorly managed captive hedgehogs.
Captive hedgehog welfare is frequently poor due to a combination of inadequate housing, inappropriate diet, and insufficient exercise. A hedgehog kept in a small cage without a wheel cannot express its most fundamental locomotor drive - running miles nightly. Without appropriate temperatures, hedgehogs attempt hibernation (which African pygmy hedgehogs are not adapted for), potentially dying from hypothermia. Obesity from inappropriate high-fat commercial diets is extremely common and contributes to fatty liver disease and heart disease. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome, a progressive neurological disease, has no treatment and causes gradual paralysis. Many pet hedgehogs are purchased impulsively as 'low maintenance' pets and suffer from chronic neglect of their specific needs.