Los erizos pueden visitar ocasionalmente su jardín, o tal vez usted tiene uno viviendo con usted en casa? Si nunca antes has prestado atención a la caca de erizo, ¡ahora es el momento!
La caca de un erizo, o excrementos como también se les llama, pueden revelar mucho sobre la salud de ese animal, y pueden alertarlo cuando su erizo (o un erizo visitante) está enfermo.
Estamos a punto de sumergirnos profundamente (no literalmente) en todo lo que siempre quisiste saber sobre los hábitos de baño del erizo, y estás a punto de aprender más de lo que nunca pensaste (y querías) sobre la caca de erizo.
Hay muchas razones diferentes por las que podría beneficiarse no solo de reconocer la caca de erizo, sino también de aprender a determinar si la caca se ve normal y saludable.
Estas habilidades le permitirán darse cuenta de que cuando tenga un erizo visitando su jardín, incluso si no puede detectar al pequeño animal, o si tiene un erizo como mascota, identifique cualquier signo de enfermedad.
Lo creas o no, pero no es inusual tener un erizo viviendo en tu patio durante años sin siquiera darte cuenta, y para el ojo inexperto, los excrementos de erizo podrían confundirse fácilmente con la caca de rata o el excremento de otro mamífero pequeño.
Los hábitos de caca del erizo
Para identificar correctamente los excrementos de erizo y comprender completamente cuándo los hábitos de baño de un erizo mascota están fuera de lo común, primero tenemos que echar un vistazo a cómo, cuándo y dónde hace caca un erizo sano.
Una vez que sepa cómo los erizos normalmente defecan, es más fácil detectar cambios y anomalías en sus deposiciones.
¿Cuánto cuesta una caca de erizo?
Decir que un erizo hace caca mucho es quedarse corto porque la verdad es que los erizos hacen caca casi constantemente. Los erizos mascotas requieren que limpies su jaula con frecuencia para eliminar los excrementos dejados, mientras que puede ser menos notable en la naturaleza, donde pueden alejarse de la evidencia, por así decirlo.
¿Con qué frecuencia?
Es imposible decir exactamente con qué frecuencia los erizos hacen caca, pero lo más cerca que puede llegar es casi decir que casi siempre están defecando.
No se sorprenda si su erizo mascota va al número dos mucho más a menudo que lo que hacen otros animales: no hay nada malo con su pequeño amigo puntiagudo, y es justo lo que hacen los erizos.
Los erizos jóvenes defecan más a menudo
La edad juega un papel importante cuando se trata de la frecuencia de las heces, y los erizos bebés tienden a defecar más que cuando son adultos. Muchos dueños de erizos mascotas los llaman en broma «máquinas de caca», que es un nombre muy preciso para estos pequeños.
A medida que el erizo envejece, es probable que note una disminución en la acción del baño, algo que es normal y esperado. Aún así, los erizos adultos también hacen caca. Mucho.
Alimentación y Nutrición
Todos los erizos son diferentes, y su erizo podría defecar significativamente más a menudo que el erizo de su vecino o el erizo que tenía cuando era niño. Lo que alimentas a un erizo o lo que come en la naturaleza también juega un papel en la frecuencia con la que necesita ir al número dos. La nutrición es muy relevante.
Es posible que haya escuchado que si un perro hace caca mucho, puede ser un signo de comida para perros de mala calidad, donde una gran porción pasa a través de ella con poca nutrición absorbida por el cuerpo. Hay algo de verdad en eso también con los erizos, pero es mucho más difícil de decir teniendo en cuenta la frecuencia con la que van al baño.
Si no está seguro de si su hedgie podría mejorar los alimentos, la mejor estrategia es comunicarse con un veterinario con experiencia en erizos.
No todos los veterinarios tienen un conocimiento confiable de la nutrición del erizo y podría terminar teniendo que investigar un poco o buscar una tienda de mascotas con experiencia en erizos.
Where Do Hedgehogs Like to Poop?
A very common question people have is why their hedgehog keeps pooping on them? Perhaps you like to pick up your little friend and hold him in your hand or sit him on your lap, but every time you do, he poops on you? If you have kids you may have heard them yell “Mom, why does my hedgehog poop on me?”
It’s a good question! What is the deal with that?
The answer is simple. Hedgehogs like to poop when they are active and doing something. In the wild, it is not unusual for them to poop while they are walking, and they are not like us, humans, in a way that they stop when they feel the need to look for a bathroom.
Hedgehogs poop when they need to poop, even if it happens to be on you.
It could even be a good sign when a hedgehog poops on you – it means the hedgehog is comfortable enough to relax and let itself go… YAY!
Can you teach a hedgehog to use the bathroom in one specific spot? Funny enough, you can! Hedgehogs can be litter trained, and you can use this to have them poop in a specific spot inside their cage, or in a designated area in your house.
The easiest way to do this is to start out by filling the whole cage with litter and to have the hedgehog get used to pooping in the litter.
Little by little you will then remove litter from the cage and replace it with fleece or similar material until you only have litter in one small part of the cage – the part where you would ideally want your hedgehog to poop.
This is a slow process that can take a long time, but persistence and patience tend to be key. Once you have litter trained your hedgehog inside its cage, you can place a small litter box in your home for when the hedgehog is loose.
Remember, not all hedgehogs can be perfectly litter box trained and some never get the hang of it, but it could be worth a try if you want to avoid having hedgehog poop all over the house. Set your expectations low to avoid disappointment, and try it with an open mind.
What Hedgehog Poop Looks Like
For someone who has a hedgehog at home, recognizing hedgehog poop is easy! However, if you have noticed droppings in your yard, then you might be interested in knowing whether you have a hedgehog, rabbits, or rats.
Shape
Hedgehog droppings are shaped like small cylinders, and some even call them little sausages, which is hilariously accurate. If you find round droppings, flat droppings, or similar, those are likely not from a hedgehog, as a hedgehog poop looks more like a dark-colored or black little slug on your lawn.
Size
Size varies, and the poop of a wild hedgehog is not going to be the same as the size of a pygmy hedgehog poop, but you can expect these slimy little sausages to measure approximately 1.5-5 centimeters depending on the size of the hedgehog itself.
Color
If you are looking at the poop from a healthy hedgehog, the color should be black or dark brown. There can be shiny aspects to hedgehog poop, which is a result of parts of an insect-based diet (such as beetles) coming back out. Color variations do exist. However, any color that strays too much from standard might be a cause for concern.
Smell
Yes, hedgehog poop does smell, and despite it coming from such a small animal – the smell can be quite noticeable. It is also common for the hedgehog itself to start smelling like poop, which is a result of it often pooping while it is walking around or playing on its wheel.
Pet hedgehogs then end up walking in their own excrement, which leads to the smell.
Stinky Hedgehog Poop – Is It Normal?
It is perfectly normal for hedgehog poop to stink, unfortunately, but some hedgehogs are known for having stinkier poop than others. The exact reason remains undetermined, but it could likely be a result of what they eat.
If your hedgehog has extremely stinky poop, you can always try to experiment with more vegetables and greens to see if it makes a difference, or consider switching to a higher quality hedgehog food brand.
You also might want to read my article about Hedgehog bathing. Just in case.
Abnormal Hedgehog Poop
Now that we have established what hedgehog poop usually looks like, it is time to have a look at what it shouldn’t look like. Keeping an eye on your hedgehog’s droppings is a great way to monitor his or her health, as poop can say a lot about the health condition of any animal (including us humans).
Runny Hedgehog Droppings
The loose stool could potentially be a sign of illness in hedgehogs, and it is something you will want to keep an eye on. Their droppings should be firm and hard, and not loose or runny. The occasional runny stool most likely isn’t a cause for concern, and especially if you have recently changed their food or given out a new snack.
If the runny droppings or diarrhea persists, though, it is probably time for a trip to the vet. Parasites, both internal and external, can cause diarrhea, and your hedgehog will need a fecal exam done at the vet office.
Also, keep in mind that persistent diarrhea can cause dehydration in hedgehogs, which is yet another reason to keep yourself updated on the consistency of the hedgehog’s droppings. Acting like the hedgehog poop police may not sound like fun, but it could save your hedgehog’s life if it ever falls ill.
Discolored Poop
What happens if you suddenly discover that your hedgehog is pooping green? Strangely colored poop can be a sign of a medical condition, but it could also be a result of a food change, medication, or anything else. Green poop is actually not too uncommon in hedgehogs, and it can be caused by irritation in the gastrointestinal system, stress, and more.
Other colors like black, light brown, red, or white could also be a cause for concern, and we recommend a trip to the vet if your pet hedgie starts leaving droppings with a strange color. There is usually no need to panic, but if it continues for a couple of days or more then it could certainly warrant a checkup.
Remember, healthy hedgehog poop should be dark brown or black in color, possibly with visible bug parts in it, as well as hard and firm.
What to Do When a Hedgehog Isn’t Pooping
Many hedgehog owners freak out when they realize their pet isn’t pooping, and this is understandable considering how much a hedgehog normally poops. Should you panic if your hedgehog isn’t pooping? At first, no. Constipation that lasts for only a day or so isn’t usually a cause for concern.
Pumpkin Purée
Once you notice the cage being clean or your hedgehog not having pooped for a few hours, the first thing you can do is to try and help with potential constipation. Pure pumpkin purée (not pie filling, as it contains sugar, and only 100% pumpkin purée) can help with both diarrhea and constipation, and you can try and see if your hedgehog will eat it.
Keep the Hedgehog Hydrated
You also need to make sure the hedgehog is drinking water to prevent it from becoming dehydrated, and the smartest thing you can do is to keep a close eye on the hedgehog’s water supply. The water should be changed frequently so that the hedgehog always has access to clean water, as some hedgehogs can be picky with water cleanliness.
Activity and a Warm Bath
Okay, so now you have tried pumpkin purée and the hedgehog is drinking. What’s next? Try to get it to be a bit active, as it could help kickstart the stomach, and you can even consider giving your hedgehog a nice and warm (not too warm) bath.
Go to the Vet
These types of issues should ideally resolve themselves within 24-48 hours, but if a couple of days pass without any significant improvement, then your hedgehog needs to be seen by a vet. Medication might be needed to cure serious constipation. It could also be a sign of something slightly more serious, such as an obstruction.
Can You Compost or Fertilize with Hedgehog Poop?
The question pops up over and over again: Can I use hedgehog poop to fertilize my yard? The other question is whether it can be added to your compost. In both cases, the answer isn’t quite clear, but many advise against it as hedgehogs are carnivores.
Hedgehogs eat bugs and small animals, which means their poop may contain pathogens that would not be beneficial for your yard or vegetable garden. It is generally said that only poop from herbivores is truly useful for composting and fertilizing plants, and if this is true then the hedgehog does not qualify.
It is up to you what you choose to do with your hedgehog poop, but looking at it this way, it seems like it might be best to simply throw it away whenever you clean the hedgehog cage.
Is It Safe to Handle Hedgehog Poop?
When it comes down to it, hedgehog poop is still poop, even if it is small. Always wash your hands carefully after handling hedgehog poop, as the droppings can carry bacteria such as salmonella, which can be transmitted to the hedgehog, other hedgehogs, or to the surrounding environment.
There are instances where humans have gotten sick after handling a hedgehog, but this tends to be a result of failure to take proper precautions or failure to apply appropriate sanitary measures after handling the animal.
That said, hedgehog poop isn’t toxic and it only requires regular precaution. Keep the cage clean, clean up any droppings left behind while the hedgehog is out roaming the house, wash your hands, and use common sense. After all, it’s poop.
Do Hedgehogs Fart?
Like a lot of animals, hedgehogs do fart. And just like you might expect, it’s both smelly and sometimes even noisy.
Hedgehogs fart at all times. They’ve got no problems doing so while eating, and sometimes while being bathed, their farting might be clearly visible due to small bubbles coming to the surface!
Let’s Talk About Hedgehog Pee
We have covered pretty much everything there is to know about hedgehog poop, but we might as well have a look at hedgehog pee while we are at it! Hedgehogs poop, we have already established that, but you probably already know that they also pee.
Recognizing Hedgehog Pee
Unsurprisingly, there is no reliable way to distinguish hedgehog pee from the pee of other species, so in such a situation you would have to resort to looking at the poop. You can usually see hedgehog pee in a cage, though, as they leave wet spots that take a while to soak up.
In the wild, however, you are unlikely to ever see hedgehog pee, unless you happen to see the hedgehog committing the act right there in front of you. It absorbs so quickly into the ground, and it won’t be helpful when trying to determine whether you have a hedgehog living in your yard.
The Smell of Hedgehog Urine
The smell of hedgehog pee can be quite strong, but it smells no different than hamster pee, rabbit pee, rat pee, or any other cage animal, due to the cages often being filled with similar materials. If you are wondering whether you will smell it, though, the answer is yes,
Frequent cleaning is required to prevent your hedgehog and its pee from stinking up the house, and it is one of the reasons why many owners opt for having their hedgehog cages in a room separate from the regular living quarters of the home.
We keep getting back to the same, but a change in smell is worth paying attention to. Some report that hedgehog pee can start smelling almost like ammonia as they get closer to the end of their lives, but this is more of a theory and hasn’t actually been proven.
To put it out there though: smelly hedgehog pee is not abnormal or a cause for concern – pee smells bad no matter the species it comes from, and especially if the cage is kept in a warmer temperature. An unusual or different smell, however, could potentially be the indicator of a health issue that requires medical care.
Discolored Hedgehog Pee
While healthy pee can be hard to detect, discolored pee is something you will likely notice right away. Hedgehog pee should be clear or yellow, and you should react if you notice it is darker than usual, brown, or even have blood in it. Neither of these is ever good or considered normal.
Hedgehogs can develop cystitis, which you may or may not be aware of, as well as urinary tract diseases and bladder stones. Discolored pee with or without blood in it can be a symptom of either, and it is likely not something that will go away on its own without treatment.
How Much Does a Hedgehog Pee?
Knowing how much a hedgehog poops might have led you to believe that it should also pee a lot, which could cause worry and concern when you realize that your hedgehog only seems to be peeing a few times a day! Is this normal? Yes, it is.
Funny enough, hedgehogs tend to poop a lot more than they pee (and not the other way around, which tends to be the case with many other animals), which explains why you are likely to only find a couple of pee spots in the litter once you wake up in the morning, even if the hedgehog has been active at night.
As long as you are sure that your hedgehog is drinking water then this shouldn’t be a cause for concern. On the other hand, if a hedgehog would suddenly start peeing a lot more than it usually does – that could be something worth looking into or at least keeping an eye on.
Find Out Where Hedgehogs Like to Pee
When you set up a hedgehog cage you want to make sure to give your little buddy a designated place to use the bathroom. Hedgehogs generally aren’t fans of peeing where they eat, which should be encouraged considering all the sanitary aspects, and the best solution is to drop food in one corner of the cage and have the toilet spot in the other.
Como se mencionó anteriormente: a los erizos se les puede enseñar a defecar en un área determinada, y esto también es cierto para orinar. Internet está lleno de tutoriales que proporcionan instrucciones paso a paso sobre cómo entrenar adecuadamente a un erizo. (como el video de abajo). Suena gracioso, un erizo entrenado en casa, pero puede ser increíblemente conveniente cuando se trata de limpiar.
Requiere paciencia y esfuerzo de su parte, sí, pero este es el ejemplo perfecto de cuando el trabajo duro realmente vale la pena. Un erizo será una mascota mucho más agradable cuando sepa dónde es probable que vaya a orinar, y también ayudará al erizo a mantenerse limpio y evitará que huela a orina y caca.
Preocupaciones sobre la caca y la orina del erizo: cuándo ver a un veterinario
La regla general es que cuando algo cambia, y si esos cambios persisten durante más de un par de días, entonces es hora de ver a un veterinario.
No hay dos erizos iguales y es posible que vea diferencias en el color y la apariencia de la caca al comparar los excrementos de dos animales diferentes, pero si su erizo de repente comienza a tener diarrea, si los excrementos cambian de color o si huele diferente, es hora de un chequeo.
Siempre es mejor prevenir que lamentar cuando se trata de erizos porque, si bien se consideran bastante resistentes, se enferman. Tendrá que asegurarse de que su veterinario tenga experiencia en el cuidado de erizos y animales pequeños, para asegurarse de obtener la ayuda que necesita desde el momento en que cruza esas puertas.
Conclusión
Los erizos son animales pequeños que defecan mucho, y puede esperar tener que limpiar con frecuencia si tiene un erizo como mascota en casa. Estos pequeños animales inteligentes pueden ser entrenados en la camada, similar a un gato, pero se necesita paciencia y dedicación.
No se sorprenda si su erizo parece estar defecando constantemente, ya que es perfectamente normal, y espere que los erizos jóvenes hagan caca aún más. La mala noticia es que la caca de erizo puede ser apestosa, lo que sirve como un buen recordatorio para limpiar con frecuencia.
Aprender a distinguir la caca de erizo es beneficioso si cree que tiene uno viviendo en su jardín, y tener la capacidad de reconocer la caca de erizo saludable frente a la no saludable puede salvar la vida de su mascota en caso de enfermedad.
Los erizos son maestros cachorros que defecan con frecuencia, pero su caca también es el indicador ideal de su bienestar general.
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