The study suggests hedgehogs may be consuming man-made food more regularly than before.

Researchers use a new scoring system for assessing dental health.

New research led by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has found an increasing number of wild hedgehogs are developing dental disease.

Using a newly developed scoring system, researchers conducted veterinary assessments, including dental exams, on 95 Western European hedgehogs admitted to a shelter in Germany.

A statistical analysis of their findings, published in Springer Nature journal, reveals that 44 per cent of the hedgehogs had dental disease. Of these cases, low disease severity was the most common assessment, and tartar was the most common problem.

The study also found an association between higher body weight and dental disease, indicating that hedgehogs may be consuming man-made food more regularly than before.

High-sugar, low-mineral foods are softer and require less effort to chew, compared to the hedgehog’s natural diet of mainly insects, which the study suggests may be affecting their dental health.

Ines Stegmaier-Länge, a postgraduate Master's student at the Royal (Dick) School, said: “Dental health in western European hedgehogs in rehabilitation is worse than was perceived in previous studies, according to our results. 

“Examination under anaesthesia for rescued hedgehogs weighing more than 250g, where possible, would be good practice in establishing the extent of dental disease. 

“Our scoring system for dental health is intended as a useful tool in supporting vets to assess the condition of animals”.

Image (C) Dr. MYM/Shutterstock.