Hedgehogs As Pets
Should People Have Hedgehogs as Pets?
People are increasingly having hedgehogs as pets. Hedgehogs have been popular pets in Europe for decades, but they are becoming a popular pet in the United States now. People believe that hedgehogs are easy and cute, but is this really true?
Hedgehogs are cute. Their face looks like it’s in a constant smile. Their underbelly is fury and soft. When their quills are down, they have a funny spiky look. Their actions are also endearing. They tend to be a solitary animal in that they don’t need companionship, but they do bond with their owner and often enjoy sitting on the owner’s lap. They are even known to actually purr at times of deep contentment. The love to play and will run through mazes, on wheels, and play with all types of toys. The way they scamper around when they play is quite adorable.
Hedgehogs are easily trained to use a litter box and when they are adults they can be left to roam the house. In this way as well as others, compared to other small pocket pets, hedgehogs are superior. They also do not have an obvious odor like hamsters and ferrets do since they are not part of the rat family. In addition, they do not make a mess of their cages, climb on curtains, nor do they shred furniture. Those are some of the reasons that people are turning to hedgehogs as pets.
Hedgehogs grow to about 5 to 8 inches in length and weigh about one pound as an adult. They require a larger cage than other small animals since they need to be active and have room to roam. This pet’s owner needs to be sure to have wheels and tubes in their cage to prevent boredom, which will lead to the hedgehog behaving badly. They live much longer than other small pets, which often need to be replaced at least once a year. A healthy, well-kept hedgehog will live between four to seven years. This is a big improvement, especially if there are small children in the house.
Hedgehogs are diurnal, which means they are awake during parts of both the day and night. This is much like a cat. For this reason, hedgehogs are good companions for people with busy schedules since they will likely be active and awake at various times.
Hedgehogs do not need vaccinations since they are mostly disease resistant. In the wild, hedgehogs are omnivores and eat a variety of food. Domesticated hedgehogs will eat dry dog or cat food. An occasional treat of fruit or insects will please your pet.
When startled, a hedgehog will deploy its quills and roll into a ball. It looks a little like a sea urchin and is also cute at this point. The quills however are not at all entertaining if you touch them. There are over 7,000 quills on a hedgehog and they stick out in all directions. This is the way that the hedgehog protects itself from dangers in the wild.
The breed of hedgehog that is most common in the United States as a pet is the African Pygmy. There are professional breeders and an organization called the International Hedgehog Association which sets standards for breeds. There are also hedgehog shows where pet owners can show off their hedgehog.
There are a few states that have made owning hedgehogs as pets illegal, and some other states and municipalities require permits and licenses. If you are thinking of getting a hedgehog as a pet, check with local authorities first and also question your breeder. If you’ve decided to get a hedgehog for yourself or your family, be sure to only purchase a hedgehog from a reputable breeder who will know all of the regulations in your area. A good breeder will also be able to teach you how to care for your hedgehog properly for years of future enjoyment.