The major reason for abnormal quill loss in hedgehogs is mites. Mites can enter in through food, bedding, and other items, and can irritate the skin, resulting in quill loss..
Similarly, do hedgehogs lose quills when stressed?
A hedgehog's quills do come off under certain circumstances. And similar to the notion of people losing hair when under extreme stress or when ill, adult hedgehogs can lose quills under similar circumstances.
at what age do hedgehogs Quill? six to eight weeks
Furthermore, is it normal for my hedgehog to lose quills?
The occasional loss of healthy quills is a normal part of the quilling process. The average hedgehog has approximately 5,000 spines and will replace about 90 percent of them during its lifetime. (Pet Product News). Mites are the most common cause of quill loss other than the quilling process.
How many quills should a hedgehog lose a day?
Individual answer: During quilling (which we did for 6 weeks of straight misery), it was around 15-20 quills a day.
Related Question Answers
What does it mean when a hedgehog licks you?
When a hedgehog encounters a new smell, he will often lick to taste test. Licking is often followed by biting and/or self-anointing. Self-anointing is when a hedgehog encounters an unusual smell and then begins to lick and bite the object, produce foamy saliva, and spread the foam onto his quills with his tongue.How do I know if my hedgehog is dying?
"As is true with many hedgehog diseases, clinical signs may not be specific for cancer and simply include weight loss, lack of appetite and lethargy." Respiratory diseases, especially pneumonia, are often seen in pet hedgehogs. Symptoms may include nasal discharge, sneezing, and difficulty in breathing.How do I know if my hedgehog has mites?
How can I tell if mites are on my hedgehog? - Losing quills.
- Biting, licking, chewing or scratching itself.
- Anorexia (weight loss)
- Lethargy (lack of energy)
- Seborrhea (dandruff) and very flaky skin.
How do I know if my hedgehog is happy?
It depends on the hedgie really, they all have such different personalities, and just like us they show their happiness in different ways A lot of the time though, you can always tell a relaxed happy hedgie by the way their quills lay flat or if they chirp or whiffle.Why does my hedgehog have a bald spot?
If your hedgehog has bald spots/patches or thinning areas, then you are most likely dealing with a medical condition. Symptoms of Mite Infestation: Mites are the most common skin condition effecting hedgehogs. It will cause dry, flaky skin, make your hog scratch way more than is normal and lead to quill loss.How do you treat mites on hedgehogs?
There are no anti-mite treatments specifically made for hedgehogs, but treatments made for cats are generally safe. Your exotics vet will probably use a drug such as ivermectin or selamectin, under the brand names Revolution or Advantage.Why do hedgehogs hiss?
The hissing and jumping is a defensive behavior because the hedgie is scared, not an aggressive one. It's not uncommon for a hedgie to do when they are in a new environment and overwhelmed with all the new changes, it just means that the hedgie is scared and that is how they display that.Can a hedgehog's quills hurt you?
One of the distinguishing characteristics of a hedgehog is his quills. First note that a hedgehog's quills are not as dangerous or as damaging as those of a porcupine. In fact, unless he feels threatened, his quills are actually quite soft. Do not think, however, that they won't hurt if they poke you.How do you calm a Quilling hedgehog?
I would suggest just putting some warm water in the sink, or wherever you bathe your baby, and put some of the Aveeno dry skin oil in there (some people also use olive oil I believe) and just let him stay in that for a few minutes.What do mites look like on a hedgehog?
Hedgehog Mites. Acariasis, also known as mite infection, is not a widespread problem in domestic pygmy hedgehogs, but if your pet exhibits abnormal scratching with bare patches of skin, it may be due to mites. Hedgehog mites look like tiny white specks at the base of the quills and on the skin.How long does Quilling last for a hedgehog?
Quilling typically occurs first at around six to eight weeks of age and again at around four months during adolescence but it may also occur several other times during the hedgehog's life. Some stages may last only four to five days whereas other stages for different animals might last 2-3 weeks.Do hedgehogs bite?
Most hedgehogs won't bite unless you smell tasty or they feel afraid. Hedgehogs are not usually aggressive, but the saying "anything with teeth may bite" certainly applies.Do hedgehogs scratch a lot?
Since hedgehogs have naturally dry skin and tend to itch and scratch on occasion, don't stress over the first signs of an itchy hedgehog. When a younger hedgehog is quilling they tend to scratch often due to the discomfort of the new quills breaking through their skin.Do hedgehog quills come out?
Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. Their spines are not poisonous or barbed and, unlike the quills of a porcupine, do not easily detach from their bodies. However, the immature animal's spines normally fall out as they are replaced with adult spines.Do hedgehogs release their quills?
No they do not, and neither do porcupines. This is a porcupine. They don't shoot their quills, they swing the quills on their tails at predators. Their tail hits the predator and the quills dislodge and get stuck in the animal's skin.Do hedgehogs spikes grow back?
It will have to wait for its spines to shed and regrow - which should take about eight months.Is Dawn dish soap safe for hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs do need grooming. If you are afraid to trim them yourself there are exotic pet vets that can do it for a small fee. They make hedgehog soap, but I use Dawn dish soap because it is delicate (it is used it to clean off animals after an oil spill).How often should you bathe a hedgehog?
Once a month bathing is adequate for the average hedgehog. Some hedgehogs need baths frequently and others seldom need one. Bathing generally helps to relieve dry skin; however, bathing too frequently may contribute to dry skin.How many times do you have to clean a hedgehog's cage?
Weekly or Bi-Weekly: Fully Clean the Hedgehog Cage One day each week, you should do a full cleaning of your hedgehog's cage. If you do consistently spot clean the cage, it should be safe to do a full clean once every other week. 
