Hedgehogs are social animals that are common as exotic pets. Just like our furry friends, they don’t only provide companionship, but they also join in on leisure activities once in a while.
However, unlike dogs known to be good swimmers, you might wonder if it’s okay to take them to the pool on a sunny weekend.
But because of their minuscule nature, you may wonder if these exotic animals love water. Even more, can hedgehogs swim?
Although hedgehogs can swim, they don’t entirely make good swimmers, mainly because they get tired quickly. They will only swim so far if it has reachable ledges to rest between swims.
Read on to learn more about this animal’s swimming abilities and how to teach your pet to swim.
Can Hedgehogs Swim?
Hedgehogs, like a few other pets, can swim. It can either be in a pool, a bathtub, or even in a river.
While their feet help them to navigate on water, they owe their swimming abilities to their body structure. Thanks to the air chambers in the hedgehog’s quills, they can naturally stay afloat on the water for a certain period.
However, the major problem with hedgehogs swimming is that they tire easily. They might stop paddling after a while due to fatigue, making them drown easily.
That’s why it is essential to always be around them when they swim. While swimming with your hedgehog, it’s always best to set up different ledges or inflated balloons where they can rest after swimming for a while.
It saves them from unnecessary stress. The water temperature is also crucial because they don’t buy the idea of swimming in a cold pool. Cold water quickly renders them inactive, and it can also prove fatal.
Do Hedgehogs Like Water?
Hedgehogs generally don’t have anything against water. However, you can find some that have never dipped themselves in water all their life.
Still, this does not necessarily mean that these creatures do not like water; they are just not under any obligation to like water because they are mainly terrestrial animals all their lives.
Another reason why you might not spot these animals in water is that they don’t need it to be kept clean.
Like house cats, hedgehogs are self-grooming; they can lick themselves to keep clean. However, you can always bathe your hedgehog pet if you think they are too dirty.
Depending on their goal, they may decide to swim. Hedgehogs in the wild can choose to swim past a river when looking for food, even though it’s not entirely their forte.
A hog can also jump into a stream or pond to hunt various insects for food. Besides that, they can decide to stay put and look for something else to eat that doesn’t involve swimming.
The above also applies to a pet hog. While one pet hedgehog might love the idea of a bath, the other can ruin the entire place to skip bathing.
That said, this animal’s love for water depends on the individual, and it’s not an ancestry trait.
Furthermore, past experiences and traumas can affect a hog’s love for the water. For instance, if a predator attacked it while in water, it might want to discontinue going into the water for a while.
If it also had a near-death experience by drowning, its confidence in swimming would never be the same.
How to Teach a Hedgehog to Swim
If you just got a baby hedgehog or noticed that your hog doesn’t like swimming, it’s crucial not to force the animal or throw it in the water.
These animals are sensitive and can develop more fear or even try to run away if they feel threatened.
With that said, slowly introducing this spinny mammal to water is best.
You can start from a bathtub or a water level where its feet will easily reach the ground. Then, as they get used to the feeling of water, you can decide to increase the water level on different days gradually.
One way that you can tell if a hog is tensed about water or not is from its quills. The quill of a scared hedgehog is pointy and erect most times. On the other hand, when the hog is relaxed, the quills are also relaxed.
Related Questions
Do hedgehogs like the beach?
Hedgehogs naturally love to play and stroll in sandy areas for fun. However, the sun is not suitable for them. Hence, do not allow the hog to stay in a place without shade for a long time.
You should also ensure that they don’t get close to the ocean. The tides can easily wash them away, making them drown.
Is it safe for hedgehogs to swim?
It is safe for a hedgehog to swim. However, these animals are lazy swimmers. Hence, it is essential to set up the pool in a way that they can easily have access to spots for resting.
You can add inflated ledges, floaters, or even a ramp, mitigating unnecessary tension and stress when swimming.
Can hedgehogs swim underwater?
While most hedgehogs can swim well on the surface of the water, they can’t dive underwater. Their body is not adapted to that kind of advanced swimming technique.
Even if they tried, their quills would get in the way due to the air-filled chamber underneath them. Therefore, you shouldn’t try to submerge them underwater.
Wrap Up
While hedgehogs can swim, they can only do so to a certain extent. Therefore, you should never forget not to exert them too much.
A pet hog can make a good swimming companion for the entire family. Everyone loves to see these animals paddle around or do a back float technique.
However, just as the personalities among humans differ, it’s also different in these animals. Therefore, you should look for a better approach if you find out your hog doesn’t like water.
Featured Image Credit: Prill / Getty Images
