Quilling can be uncomfortable for the hedgehogs and you may notice the hedgehog has become very grumpy. Hedgehogs may scratch or rub themselves, but many individuals do not have obvious pruritus. Note that it is possible for a hedgehog to go through other smaller quilling instances later on in its life. Noticeably your hedgehog will scratch more than usual, and this could be a Telltale sign of Mites. Quilling also could re-occur throughout its life time but in smaller quantities. The most common cause for quill loss are mites. Hedgehogs tend to burrow when searching for heat, especially during the cold seasons. My hedgehog is losing quils. Such instances are, however, less defined. My hedgehog is about 3 months now, she keeps losing quills. The most common causes for a hedgehog losing quills are mites, poor diet, and stress. Further details are provided in our: Website Terms & Conditions of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. The occasional loss of healthy quills is a normal part of the quilling process. Quilling starts during adolescence when the hedgehog losses its small fine quills, and new thicker quills start to grow. If your hedgehog has mites, you may not notice any signs or symptoms if it’s early in early in the infestation because your hedgehog may or may not be itchy depending on his or her hypersensitivity to mite bites. When a hedgehog baby is born, it has no quills at all, at least, not until the first couple of hours. More often than not, you may see new spins poking through the skin. Take your hedgehog to the veterinarian if you believe there is something wrong with its quilling. Various conditions cause tension. This is especially the case during the first few days. Some lose a lot of quills at this age; others lose a large number of quills at 5-6 months of old. Lots of people use coconut oil, and this is ultimately the wrong thing to do. They all still have the bulbs at the end but this is unusual and I am worried as I should be (Shes a year and a half old). Be particularly careful when handling a quilling hedgie. The hedgie may bump its quills into stationary objects while playing, a move that will most likely cause pain. Yes they do lose an occasional quill here and there throughout their lives. The process of losing spines (or quills) is called quilling and normal hedgehogs will do this as babies and juveniles. My one year old hedgehog has been shedding quills. The results were negative for EVERYTHING. She also has been very dry, so ive put flax seed oil on her, but shes still very dry. Hedgehog Quills and Hedgehog Fur . This is why it is essential to research and educate yourself on what kind of oils are hedgehogs safe. How Many Quills Should a Hedgehog Lose a Day? If you have other pets get them checked for mites as well before introducing your hedgehog habitat. A hedgehog will lose most of its quills during its lifetime in a process known as quilling. And similar to the notion of people losing hair when under extreme stress or when ill, adult hedgehogs can lose quills under similar circumstances. There are times when your hedgehog will start to lose large amounts of quills within a short time. Stress can have physical effects on many living things. Well your hedgehog is quilling the best thing you could do is: Keep your pet with fresh food and water. You should actually be able to check the back of your hedgehog to see adult quills beginning to grow through. Give foot bath every two days as hedgehogs often run in their poop, and it can get wedged between their toes. Your beloved critter hisses and growls at you trying to bear the pain. If there are urine and feces present, make sure you clean it regularly so that bacteria do not spread. The first time they experience quilling will most likely be when they’re between 4 and 6 weeks old. When a few days pass, baby hedgehogs … If your hedgehog seems to be losing quite a few quills, more than you think is right, it's probably time to do something about it. Handle it the wrong way and it’ll most likely bite in a bid to steer you off its skin. This growth can’t be very discomforting for your pet. Then by all means remember to get rid of all quills once they fall off the hedgie. There are some 17 species of hedgehog in 5 genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand by introduction.. If quills aren’t being replaced by new ones that might indicate that something isn’t right. Think of it as how humans lose their milk teeth with the only difference here being that the quilling process, unlike the tooth loss process, is painful. africanpygmyhedgehogs.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Whether it be due to a Mite convection or some other kind of disease. Quills cover the upper part of the hedgehog, and if they lose many quills at a time the skin on the back will be exposed. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'africanpygmyhedgehogs_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',105,'0','0']));Read on to find out more about hedgehogs losing their quills, if stress influences quilling, how to calm a quilling hedgehog, and how many quills a hedgehog should lose in a day. It is important to know the normal amount of quills a hedgehog should lose a day. Quilling can be a painful process for the hedgehog. Young Hedgies usually lose quills between 6-12 weeks of age, but it’s not a rule and can happen even later. Naturally we took him to the vet (who is awesome and I trust completely) for a skin scrape. So, is it normal for a hedgehog to lose quills? During the first quilling, you will notice the loss of small fine quills … Just the overall irritation with the new growth of quills coming into your pet hedgehog will cause noticeable behavioral changes. Other factors can influence your hedgehog to lose its quills. Unfortunately, the whole process is situational and can’t in any way be predicted or even have anything used to make a quilling hedgie go through the process. This first quill loss is when hedgehogs lose the finer baby quills and grow in their thicker and longer quills. That explains why they usually resist being handled when they’re quilling. Can you tell me a little more about the hedgehog's situation? Complete Care Guide for Hedgehogs: 16 Essential Tips. Quilling is a period in a young hedgehog's life when they become irritable and lose baby spines. It is easy to understand why. This has everything to do with the fact that the hedgehog at this time, will be replacing very small quills with larger and stronger ones. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'africanpygmyhedgehogs_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',107,'0','0']));Another factor that can cause quill loss in hedgehogs is hormonal imbalances. The best you can do during the quilling process is to keep the quilling hedgie as comfortable as possible. I think she is too old to be quilling. They will also lose quills throughout their lives, just like humans shed hair. Do not try to pet your hedgehog as this could cause more irritation. If you suspect that one of these is the cause for a loss of quills you should take your hedgehog to the vet. His skin is a little dry. With time though, the hedgie will feed as usual. As already mentioned, the process is more or less like losing a tooth for humans. Also try to encourage your hedgehog to exercise - ensure they can use their wheel easily, spread food around the cage to encourage movement, and encourage exploring during out-of-cage time. As stated earlier, quilling refers to the process hedgehogs go through when they lose their old spines for new ones. Strangely though, there really isn’t a definite answer on how long the hedgehog quilling process should last. Avoid petting a quilling hedgehog until their grouchiness decreases. As an alternative, grab your pet from underneath and pick them up that away. The quills are usually thinner, smaller, and delicate. The quills are usually thinner, smaller, and delicate. Dip a sponge in the oatmeal soak and gently wipe the back of the hedgehog back to front. Quilling when used in reference to hedgehogs is a somewhat deceptive term. Instead, they have spines. Hedgehogs can be one of the most exotic pets one could ever own. (have extra bedding while you’re washing the one that was currently used). Let your hedgehog be alone while it goes through this phase. A 10-year-old hedgehog would be as rare as 104-year-old grandma. Infection of mites come from less reputable breeders, other animals, and any new bedding that you bring into your habitat that is not maintained correctly. Plus it’s not something naturally owners would do and therefore it’s not recommended. You should still … Hedgehogs are generally not too companionable anyway so do not take this offensively. During the bath, you may use a brush when cleaning the hedgehog. Quilling usually starts during adolescence and will continue during the hedgehog’s adulthood. If you suspect mites, take your hedgehog to a vet. Similar to humans, the stress in hedgehogs can take an internal and external effect on their body. Hi, I have a hedgehog and she just turned a year old last month but she has been losing 20 to 30 quills a night. With that in mind, it is safe to conclude that it is normal for a hedgehog to lose it’s quills. Quilling is quite a painful process. According to Hedgehog Central, a hedgehog is covered by approximately 5,000 to 7,000 quills, so that makes them pretty spiky! Remember to keep multiple hedgehogs in different habitats where they do not have access to the other. So that issue can be eradicated from the beginning. The holes left behind by the old quills are small, and the new quills, which are thicker, have to grow through the small holes. Do not apply too much oil to the hedgehog’s skin because it might lead to other skin problems. A hedgehog should lose fifteen to twenty quills a day during quilling. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Healing may then take more time once a hedgie bleeds as is quills. Hedgehog is a small nocturnal Old World mammal with a spiny coat and short legs, able to roll itself into a ball for defence.. Do not try to pet your hedgehog as this could cause more irritation. Mites cause dryness in the skin. If the interaction continues for a long time, the hedgehog will get stressed, leading to quill loss. It is also worth noting that quilling, your hedgie may not feed as much as it did before. Replace water bowls for water bottles with fresh water daily. Is It Cruel To Keep a Hedgehog as a Pet? No warranty, whether express or implied is given in relation to such information. The cycle of quilling actually occurs every 75 days for their entire life. (Must Know Info). If the hedgehog interacts with other pets such as cats or dogs, they might feel threatened. But not each hedgehog quills at exactly 6-8 weeks. Brushing the quills will help remove the loose quills and increase access to the oatmeal bath to the skin. Hedgehogs do not like noisy homes; hence you will have to keep the noise at a minimum. One of the things that will cause stress in hedgehogs is housing. High levels of noise consistently will cause tension to your dear hedgehog. Sometimes it is just normal spine shedding and not quilling. Veterinarian's Assistant: I'll do all I can to help. It shouldn’t alarm you because quilling is part of the hedgehog growing process. Some hedgehogs will not show any signs, but others will become grouchy whenever you touch them. A hedgehog will lose its quills starting from adolescence, and the old quills will be replaced with new quills. The reasons are mites, poor diet and stress. Quilling starts during adolescence and will happen a few times during the hedgehog’s adulthood. Young Hedgehogs shed old quills and grow new ones. Some hedgehogs endure more pain than others depending on rigidity and size of their spins. This is normal, and they regrow – just like hair. This is the most painful type of quilling. If the number is high, there could be other factors that are influencing the quill loss. Noisy homes will cause stress to your hedgehog and might lead to quill loss in the future. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'africanpygmyhedgehogs_com-large-leaderboard-1','ezslot_2',111,'0','0']));report this adafricanpygmyhedgehogs.com is supported by our participation in affiliate programs. This could last up to a month depending on each individual hedgehog. Signs include lethargy, decreased appetite, hyperkeratosis, seborrhea, quill loss, loose quills, and white or brownish crusts (mite droppings) at the base of the quills and around the eyes. Between birth and about 6 months, a hedgehog can begin losing its quills and grow new ones. After the old quail falls out, a new thicker larger quill penetrates the same hole where the smaller quill was. Whilst losing quills is normal, you should always be keen to ascertain why your hedgehog is losing them. Quilling is the natural process of losing old spines and making new ones. Some female hedgehogs will lose quills after weaning a litter. You should consult a veterinarian if you suspect your hedgehog is losing many quills in a day. (Real Facts), link to Can I Put a Blanket Over My Hedgehog's Cage? I know about quilling, but she has patches on her body where there are no quills now. The new quills grow through the holes left behind by the old quills. Some hedgehogs have multiple "quillings" throughout their lives. This is normal! Is there a home remedy I can use, or should I take him to the vet? When it comes to pocket pets, Hedgehog might not even cross your mind. I just got her a few days ago so I think it may be stress however i fear mites. Housing with other hedgehogs should be a no-brainer, but one would not know until they get the facts. Hedgehogs lose their quills when stressed. It is not advised to cut or trim the hedgehogs quills, as this could upset and distress the hedgehog. Keep the enclosure line with clean fleece. Quilling causes irritability, agitation, and changes in behavior. There are times when your hedgehog will start to lose large amounts of quills within a short time. Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. The hedgehog does not explore its surroundings; it is only interested in eating and drinking. There isn’t much you can do here on your own to help out the quilling hedgie. She’s always been in … Virgin Coconut Oil (Solid form) will melt in warm temps. It will be a painful process for the hedgehog, and you will have to comfort your hedgehog. Hello ^^ I have been doing so much research for the last few days trying to figure out whats wrong with my hedgehog. So … Disclaimer: This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Quilling is a natural process where a hedgehog loses its quills. However, it can still get slightly uncomfortable, so be on the lookout just to ensure your hedgie goes through the process with ease. If your hedgehog passes that number, then you have to visit a veterinarian. A few years ago I bought a African Pygmy Hedgehog for my daughter Jinnee. The trick here is to be gentle. She hasn’t. As an animal lover, you must have seen pictures and videos of hedgehogs being pampered by their owners, and, naturally, you would want to experience how it feels to keep them as pets. It is not the best idea to stop handling your hedgehog entirely because it is quilling. Quill Loss Quills can be lost for a couple of reasons. However, do not brush regularly as it may cause the hedgehog some discomfort. About a week or two. I'm Bal Kang. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'africanpygmyhedgehogs_com-box-4','ezslot_0',106,'0','0']));During quilling, the behavior of your hedgehog might change. Sometimes, a quill may fail to come out neatly and cause even more pain. i.e., Dog, Cats, and any other pets. When a hedgehog has no quills, then it’s a sign of a genetic disorder. The condition can be very serious and needs immediate attention. In human beings, we lose hair or weight when stressed; hedgehogs will lose their quills. But these critters need a particular type of attentiveness. And quilling can last from a few days up to a couple of weeks. If you want to inspect their back, hold them by their belly. If your pet is losing quills, rush it to a vet for inspection and treatment. Eventually though, it’ll come out and sort itself over time. Mites are a small parasite that gets onto your Hedgehog skin. During its lifetime, a hedgehog will lose most of its quills because of age, stress, skin disease, among other reasons. As the small fine quills loss, the new quills grow. The hedgehog can live in many different habitats, from desert to forest and beyond!. Those lost quills will be replaced with new ones. Note that the hedgehog quilling process usually varies depending on a number of factors. The average hedgehog as approximately more than 5000 quills. The quills on the hedgehog’s back will fall off and be replaced by new stronger quills during quilling. Apply small drops of oil directly on the skin; the oil will help soften the skin making it less painful when the new quills start to grow. During quilling, a hedgehog’s skin becomes tender and sensitive. Still in some cases, a new spine might fail to grow well for quite some time. When you are getting your hedgehog its best practice to go straight to the veterinarian and check for Mites. No hedgehogs do not generally bleed when they are quilling. The most common reason for this is mites. Quilling is a natural process that every hedgehog has to go through during its lifetime. Growth of new quills due to the hedgehog’s growth and size and therefore skin surface area. Fungal infections are not easy to clear, and your hedgehog may lose many or even ALL its quills while attempting to heal! When under extreme stress or during sickness, a hedgehog can also lose its spines. During this process, hedgehogs might be grumpy because they experience discomfort and pain. Also, any spines that don’t have a defined root can mean this as well. Time Frame of Quilling You should inspect the back of the hedgehog once it starts to lose its quill to check if the quill is stuck.