Can a Hedgehog Get Fleas?
WouterYou may be wondering if your hedgehog can get fleas. The good news is that fleas are not as harmful to hedgehogs as they are to cats and dogs. You can use topical flea treatments or burn their bedding to eliminate fleas. Fortunately, hedgehogs don’t seem to mind fleas, so it is unlikely they will get sick from them. However, fleas can be harmful to your hedgehog if you don’t treat them.
To determine if your hedgehog has fleas, you can take a sample of the animal’s skin and have it examined by a veterinarian. During the examination, the veterinarian will look for traces of mites under a microscope. Although this test isn’t 100% accurate, it can help identify heavy mite burdens. In some cases, a veterinarian may need to perform a skin biopsy to rule out other diseases or allergies.
Bathing your hedgehog is also important for its general hygiene. Though these creatures are naturally clean animals, bathing them too often can result in skin infections and diseases. So, it is best to give your hedgehog a bath infrequently. But, don’t worry; the bathing process is not that difficult. Just be sure to use soap and water in moderation.
If you find that your hedgehog is infested with fleas, you may need to treat it with a topical treatment. The safest flea treatment for hedgehogs is pyrethrum powder. However, this is not a foolproof way to treat your hedgehog, as fleas can also be transferred from other animals.
