My hedgie babies fecal deposits are "GREEN"

Quite often we receive questions from owners of hedgehog babies who are concerned about the general health and well being of their new purchase.  Since this question comes to me on several occasions I thought it prudent to post a posting to explain the possible causes and the possible solutions or considerations to keep in mind when your little hedgie has green stool.

The most common causes for "green" stool from a hedgehog can be related to a change in diet, a change in water, stress or similar.  The green stool can be an indication that there may be an over abundance of bile within the hedgehogs digestive tract and can also indicate an infection is present.  

It is important to keep a watchful eye on the intake of both the hedgie's food and water when a green stool movement is discovered or even when it is not present.  A normal movement for a hedgie appears long and dark in colour and can be the size or circumference of a pencil.  

Green stool movements should not be overlooked and a visit to the Vet if it continues past a two day period is the recommended guideline or next step to take to guard against any further issues developing.  Hedgehogs are one of the best known animals with the best kept illness secrets until it appears the time has past to help.  

Hedgie's may also suffer diarrhea, this symptom can be from the same issues addressed above about green stool and may become life threatening if not treated within a reasonable amount of time from detection to the time the animal is taken to a Vet for treatment.  Always be sure that your hedgie is drinking enough water and is not becoming dehydrated.  Re-live the past few days in your mind to remember making a change to the diet, or the water changed, or s/he has encountered excessive amounts of stress.  These changes may be the determining factors associated with both the green stool or diarrhea condition or it may be a sign of an illness or infection.  The same recommendation/guideline applies to diarrhea as it may with the green stool movement.  When unsure, the best course of action is to have a professional (Vet) assess your hedgehog.  Take your animal to see a Vet for proper care, vacinations and possibly a medication to help with the problem at hand!  Love your pet with the help h/she needs.  Until next posting, "Stay Quilled (c) 2010"


This and all blog posts referring to the care and management or health issues are not substitutes for a Vet's care when required.  The posts are meant to provide a guideline and answer FAQ and are not absolutes nor should any not be construed as "gospel".  They answers are provided through knowledge and experiences through the ownership of these cute little creatures/animals and are meant to help identify possible suggestions to known health issues of a frequently asked nature.  Hedgie Whisperer's only offers this information as a guide and does not offer the information as a Vet nor would these posts be a replacement for proper Vet care in any form whether written or verbal. Copyright (c) 2010