Hedgehog as pets and how to care of them

Hedgehog as pets

Hedgehog 

Hedgehogs are spiny mammals native to parts of Europe and Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. They are not native to North America; therefore, it is illegal to own hedgehogs as pets in many states. If you are interested in raising these interesting animals, you should first find hedgehog information related to your area. But while you are learning about rules and regulations regarding these animals, here is some more hedgehog information you should know.

The backs of hedgehogs are covered with hollow hairs called spines. They are not barbed and do not come out easily unless the animal is sick or under stress. Nor do the spines get in the way when hedgehogs roll into tight balls. They sometimes do this to warn away other aggressive animals in the wild. The spines will not pierce human skin, so it is possible to hold and pet a domesticated hedgehog.

Hedgehog information related to domesticated animals is a little different from that pertaining to the wild varieties. While wild hedgehogs are mainly nocturnal, domesticated animals are more active during the day. This makes them particularly suited to live as a pet. Domesticated hedgehogs do not hibernate, so they are active all year round. While wild hedgehogs eat mainly insects, pet hedgehogs can thrive on a cat or ferret food.

Occasionally supplementing that food with insects is a good idea and a welcome treat.

These little mammals are great at pest control, which is welcome information for anyone with a garden. Let loose to roam the garden, a hedgehog can quickly clear it of bugs. But care should be taken that pets do not ingest any type of insecticide. This can make them sick or even kill them. This is true of hedgehogs that are kept indoors all the time. They willingly eat ants or cockroaches, but no insecticides should be used indoors if we allow them to roam freely.

I should seek hedgehog information regarding diseases in these animals before one considers adopting one. Many human diseases can infect these little mammals. These include cancers, liver diseases, and heart ailments. Of course, those are not contagious diseases. But fungal skin infections are contagious and hedgehogs can transmit them to their human family members...and vice versa.

Hedgehog cute

Hedgehog 

Pet hedgehogs are usually small-less than nine inches in length. They live from three to eight years, which is not as long as most dogs and cats. Their small size makes them easy to carry and they don't usually mind being handled.

More hedgehog information can be found at local pet stores or through veterinarians. There is a wealth of information about hedgehogs on the internet as well. Generally speaking, these small mammals make wonderful household pets, especially in homes where dogs or cats may not be allowed.

 Hedgehog buy

Hedgehog 

Pet hedgehogs aren't available at the corner shop or any discount general goods store. So you might wonder where to buy hedgehogs. There are actually many places where quality "hedgies" can be found.

Start at a local pet shop. Many finer establishments are likely to carry pet hedgehogs. But you'll want to make sure that they are healthy animals. A hedgehog that will make a good pet will not curl into a ball when you touch it. It will trust you and allow you to handle it. The animal should also be alert and inquisitive. It should also appear to feel well. An animal that seems lethargic is probably not very healthy and it certainly will not act as if it does.

Look at the coat of the animal you're considering. While it might not be lush, it should not show any thin spots. The skin beneath the quills should not appear to be dry or flaky. Look at its eyes. They should bright and clear. Listen to the animal breathe. While it may make soft huffing sounds, it should not sound wheezy, and there should be no discharge from its nose.

If you aren't comfortable with the animals found at the local pet shop, you'll wonder where to buy hedgehogs that are healthy and active. Your best option will be to look for a professional breeder. You can find them online at all areas of the country. But there is no need to travel far distances when you're trying to decide where to buy hedgehogs.

Hedgehog to adopt

Hedgehog

If you know other owners of pet hedgehogs, you're sure to find someone who is willing to give you a referral to a reliable local breeder. But as with pet stores, breeders can have animals that are not quite up to par. So check for all the same things: alertness, trust, health, and activity levels. You'll also want to look for an animal that seems comfortable with you.

Rescue organizations may not normally work with hedgehogs, but you might get lucky. Instead of wondering where to buy hedgehogs, these organizations will wonder where to find a good home for them. Let local rescue groups know you're looking and you may be the first person they call when they find a hedgehog in need of a home.

Animal shelters are another option. Like any other animal, hedgehogs can be abandoned or lost. You might find a sweet hedgehog just waiting for you at the local animal shelter.

Online sites also offer hedgehogs for sale. But you'll have no opportunity to give animals from these sites a good look before buying. You're better off calling a local veterinarian and asking him or her for a referral to a good source for purchasing a hedgehog.

Whenever you wonder where to buy hedgehogs, don't despair. There are plenty of options. Just take your time and you will find the perfect pet for you.

 Are hedgehog good pets

Hedgehog 

Do hedgehogs make good pets? The simple answer is "Yes!" But, as with any other question, the actual answer is usually a little more complicated.

If you enjoy watching the antics of cute little mammals, you will definitely enjoy raising hedgehogs. They love to scurry about and burrow under blankets or pillows and can entertain onlookers for hours. Also, despite their spines, they are actually comfortable animals to hold. They quickly learn to enjoy being held by their owners.

If you are allergic to cats or dogs, a hedgehog might make a good pet. They do not spread dander and so will not trigger any type of allergic reaction. Although they shed their quills occasionally, they certainly don't shed like dogs and cats do.

Hedgehogs are quiet animals, so if you like peace, they might be the perfect pets for you. Listen carefully and you'll hear a snuffling noise when a hedgehog breathes. When upset or frightened, these small mammals might grunt or chirp. But mostly, they make nice, quiet pets.

Do hedgehogs make good pets for apartment dwellers? Because they are small, quiet animals, they are perfect apartment pets. Since they move around a lot, hedgehogs need lots of room for roaming. So you must make sure their cages offer plenty of floor space and be prepared to let them out to roam freely outside of their cages upon occasion.

Do hedgehogs make good pets for people who enjoy handling insects? Hedgehogs love to eat beetles and caterpillars, so if you or your children like to collect insects, you'll find a ready audience for your efforts in a pet hedge. You'll find these bugs in your yard or at pet stores. You should also feed your hedgehog dry cat or ferret food to make sure they get plenty of nutrition.

Speaking of children, do hedgehogs make good pets for people who have children? If the children are five years old or older. Children can be taught to handle these delicate little creatures with care. And the hedgehog will get used to the children the more time they spend with it. The kids can even learn to help clean the cage and feed the pet hedgehog. That will help them learn responsibility and help you.

Hedgehog care

Many people wonder if hedgehogs are difficult to care for. They are easy animals to care for. They don't need a lot of grooming, and they can often be litter trained. That isn't always the case, but it's definitely worth a try. All it takes is patience and persistence.

So if you've wondered, "Do Make good pets?" you should consider these other things. You might just discover that hedgehogs are the perfect pets for you.

Hedgehogs will eat pretty much anything or so we are told. There is a lot of advice from other hedgehog keepers on what to feed your hedge. They will eat cat food, tuna, dry cat food, scrambled eggs, minced unseasoned meat, strawberries, kiwi fruit, apple, banana, yam, carrots, sweetcorn, mushroom - they are omnivorous. As for treats, you can give mealworms, Morio worms, pinkies (baby mouse) - but these are full of fat so should only be given occasionally or you will end up with an obese hedgie:)

Well, we have found differently, and I guess just like humans and other animals, all creatures have their preferences. Pink (our albino African pygmy hedgehog) is not a fan of vegetation or vegetables! She loves her meat - wet and dry cat food, fish, chicken, beef, pinkies, worms, ham - she even likes pasta!!! Vegetables, she is a little more selective with - all veggies need to be cooked, as hedgies can choke on the stringy bits in them. She will eat cooked cauli and broccoli, the inside of sweet corn (she leaves the skins), some leafy greens (not iceberg lettuce!) potato (cooked). She does not like salad stuff (like tomatoes, cucumber, radish, etc). She loves scrambled eggs and kiwi fruit, but you soon discover when foods don't like your hedgie! Yuk! Scrambled eggs and kiwi gave her a messy belly! As a treat, she will get a sprinkling of mealworms or 1 or 2 morios or a pinkie, or a very special crumbled sponge cake:) You MUST NOT feed your hedgehog milk or cheese - hedgies are lactose intolerant and these foods can make them VERY ill.

Hedgehog habitat

The trick is all about trial and error. Try your hedgehog with everything suggested and find their preferences. Watch for the bodily reactions of your hedgie and you will soon discover what you can and can't feed. Watch for what they leave in their food bowl and that will tell you what not to feed again. They are omnivorous, so make sure you find some fruit and veg that they like to feed a balanced diet. Don't forget as well that hedgehogs are nocturnal, so don't feed your hedgehog til mid-evening (around 730 / 8 pm), if you put the food down any earlier it will dry out and spoil and your hedgie will not want to eat it - as soon as your pet catches the smell of the food, it will be out looking for it, and it is such a delight to watch it as it picks out its favorite bits first...

A final word of warning if you are thinking of a hedgie, they are smelly animals - they are clean and Pink is even litter trained, but they give off quite a strong scent. We have a plugin air freshener in the room and it masks the smell. Apart from that, hedgies are a beautiful and rewarding pet.

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