Mites are pesky parasites that feed off of your hedgehog’s skin, spines (quills), and hair, often causing pain and irritation. Though easily spread between hedgehogs, mites can usually be prevented or treated successfully compared to ticks and fleas which typically target humans directly.
What Are Mites? Mites are small red or black arachnids similar to spiders and ticks that feed off of blood from animals like hedgehogs. You may or may not see actual mites on your pet hedgehog, but chances are good you will observe the damage they do as a result of their infestation.
Mite Symptoms in Hedgehogs
At first, you may not notice signs of mite infestation in your hedgehog; especially since its coat covers any trouble spots. But mites could still be active on its face and ears and potentially visible – which increases as irritation worsens and symptoms become visible; such symptoms could include:
Mite infestation can cause mite-associated spine and hair loss in your hedgehog, though some shedding may be normal; any areas where visible spine loss or hair loss is abnormal should serve as an early warning sign that mites may be present in his environment.
Mites cause itchy irritation that will drive your hedgehog to constantly and aggressively gnaw, scratch, lick or chew itself to relieve the discomfort – this may result in hair and spine loss as a result of their continuous grooming activity. Your pet may even rub against its cage or objects in its enclosure in an attempt to relieve their itch.
Weight Loss and Low Energy
Just like with any animal that has an irritation or illness, your hedgehog could become disinterested in food and begin losing weight quickly while becoming lethargic and less active than normal.
Dandruff and Red, Flaky Skin
Hedgehogs that scratch to relieve their itches may develop injured skin that becomes red and tender; furthermore, its surface can also become flaky.
Causes of Mites
Hedgehogs can fall victim to mite infestation in many different ways. New hedgehogs brought into the home, bedding and food are usually responsible for an outbreak, while it’s not unusual for hedgehogs living in pet stores with rodents or birds to become infested with mites as well. If no exposure was ever made between your hedgehog and another hedgehog or handled another before handling your own, chances are high it’s coming from its food or bedding as natural materials carry small mites which get introduced into its enclosure and cause an outbreak.