Hedgehogs are cute and curious critters. - Photo by Stephen Scheib
Cute, small, but prickly! These avid bug chasers are quite the rage. But are they for everyone?
Hedgehogs have adorable faces, but prickly bodies. Some are shy by nature, others are adventurous. What factors decide whether or not a person should seek adding one of these pointy pals into their family? A decision like this requires extensive consideration.
Pros:
- Hedgehogs are relatively small and do not need elaborate cages with multiple levels. This makes for easier living arrangements when space is concerned.
- Look at their cute little faces! They are simply an adorable pet.
- Although anything with teeth can bite, hedgehogs generally do not (unless you smell like something tasty). These little guys would rather curl up in a spiky ball for defense.
- They can be potty trained (disclaimer: I have not had one potty trained yet, but I also have not put in the time to do so).
- When handled often (once daily at least) and given attention they can grow attached to you and learn your routine. Nothing gets them up at the cage door faster than knowing when it is dinner time! Tonight’s entrée: crickets!
- They are hilarious to watch! Give them a maze and they will push through it! Give them a straw ball for a house and they will roll it around. Give them a paper tube to play with and it is like they want you to laugh (be careful not to get a tube too small that they get stuck in it, though; they will not appreciate it).
- These little pokey pigs are very smart! Watch them seek out crickets hiding in the bedding. Give them toys and see how they light up.
- No regular vaccines required! But it is highly recommended to get them evaluated for good health every six months by an exotic veterinarian.
- Beyond initial purchase, they are relatively cheap to own!
- They are definitely nicer than most hamsters in my experience.
- They do not bark, screech, or scream out of sheer boredom or anxiety.
Cons:
- Not all states allow them as pets. Be sure to check local laws before trying to own one, especially in cities that may have stricter laws than the state itself.
- Finding a good vet can be challenging and expensive. As mentioned in Medical Conditions and Diseases of Hedgehogs, they often need to be sedated to even perform an examination. Quills make it tough to even look into their eyes.
- Being insectivores by nature (for more information see Hungry Hedgehogs and Their Needs), hedgehog feces smells! Weekly cage cleanings are the minimum in order to keep odor down. Diet can play a big part of the odor too, so high quality hedgehog food is recommended.
- Finding one can be a challenge. Once found, affording that initial purchase can be tough. From experience, hedgehogs can range from $100.00 at a rescue to over $400.00 at a breeding establishment.
- The life of a hedgehog is short (but hopefully happily lived)! They last from four to seven years typically.
- Cancer is highly prevalent among these pets. Again having a vet visit twice a year is recommended.
- You will probably get poked by one sometime during its life! Even hedgies have bad days. Proper handling and frequent interaction can help alleviate the frequency of pokes.
- They cannot live in colder temperatures. Anything below 72 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods can cause them to go into hibernation. In the wild this is dangerous enough as is, but fluctuating temperatures at home can cause them to fall ill quickly or even die while asleep.
- Being active at night can cause some minor disruptions, but they are not very noisy critters at all. Also it makes it hard if you work during the day to play with them (they are not morning pets).
As always this article is not meant to sway the reader in any real way. However, as a responsible pet owner should do, one needs to get all of the facts before selecting a new addition to the family. Cats and dogs might not know what to do with their new friend, and vice versa, so keeping the quills away from nosey pets might be in everyone’s best interest. Research, get the facts, and make a logical decision before pursuing any purchase.
Copyright Stephen Scheib. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Stephen Scheib - Stephen thrives on educating others about the world around them. He has worked with vets for years and has taught many subjects.
