Choosing A Hedgehog
HEALTH
When choosing a hedgehog whether a baby or adult there are some signs to look for for:
- Look at its face. Are its eyes nice and round and beady? Wide open and bright with no discharge? Is its nose clean and not runny? Are the ears short and clean with no discharge behind them?
- Is the fur on its belly soft and not matted?
- Are all the spines there? Any bald spots can be a sign of illness such as mites
- When it walks on a flat surface. Is it a smooth walk? Is there any wobbliness or signs of trouble staying upright? (this is a sign of an ill hedgehog)
- Can you hear rattling when he/she breathes?
- Check the cage. Is there green droppings or diarrhea?
Most hedgehogs are healthy and it can be hard to check all of these things. However if you notice any of these have a qualified vet check over your choice. Most should come with at least a 1 month guarantee against genetic defects. If a problem arises you should have it checked by a vet to show verify the problem.
BEHAVIOR
If there are multiple hedgehogs to choose from pick the initial behavior can be a good way to narrow it down to the right pet for you. Some things to look for when you pick it up are:
-Does it unroll after a few seconds?
-Does it Jump or Hiss? These are okay it’s just a hedgehogs way of letting you know it doesn’t know you and is unsure.
- Is it Clicking? Clicking is a sign that the hedgie is trying to threaten you. You should probably look for a different animal if you are not experience with dealing with aggression.
All hedgehogs are unique and different. They will not all have the same likes and dislikes. Some are explorers and like to run around, while others are cuddlier and prefer to sit and sleep on you. It’s important to choose the Hedgehog that best suits your personality and lifestyle.
HOW OLD
You should never take home a hedgehog before they are 6 weeks old, 7-8 weeks
however is better. Old hedgehogs can also make great pets however on occasion it
may take longer to bond with an older hedgie.
SEXING
Both male and female hedgehogs make good pets, so the choice is up to you which you prefer. Sexing can be done very easily with a friendly hog, and can be done from a very young age. Upon looking at the hedgehog’s belly, Females will have genitalia immediately next to their anus near the tail. Males will have a "belly button" this is the penile sheath and will be located further up on the belly.
Bringing Your Hedgehog Home
The first 24 hours your hedgehog should be left completely alone to adjust to their surroundings. For a day or 2 after that limit your contact with them to max 30 mins a day. After that you can increase the time according to how well your hedgehog handles it. Remember some hedgehogs can take a week to adjust to their new surroundings and babies will often sleep a lot for the first month. After the first week your hedgehog will need a minimum of 30 min to an hour (should be at least an hour 30 minutes is not quite enough time) outside their cage every day. Hedgehogs are nocturnal so remember they should not be taken out during the day. Keep the lights dim and noises down and they will be more comfortable during playtime. Also allowing use of a snuggle bag or blanket where your hedgehog can hide a feel secure will help with bonding
The Downsides of Hedgehog Ownership
Hedgehogs can be rewarding pets, however they are not for everyone, please read through these cons before considering adopting a hedgehog.
- Your hedgehog may never be a cuddly pet, some will always be huffy even with lots of tlc
- Cost, they require specialized care, past the initial set up
- 2 to 3 kinds of quality cat food(or hedgehog food I will have good brands listed on a separate page), 20-45 dollars each which only last 6 months and must be throw out after that
- they eat live bugs, can you deal with having bugs in your house? In your fridge? and these can cost you as well. My hedgehog really loves live mealworms.
- THE VET, a good hedgehog vet can cost you 100 dollars for basic exam, they can go up from there if medication or testing is required.
- A find for these visits is needed before you get a hedgie around 300-500 dollars per hedgehog
- hedgehogs are classified as nocturnal, meaning when you want to play during the day or afternoon, they need to be sleeping although they are becoming more diurnal (they sleep somewhat during the day and somewhat at night) so you may be able to change their sleep schedules accordingly.
- they most likely won’t play like a cat, dog or ferret, and don’t need or even care about your presence like a guinea pig. They have been described as rocks who eat and poop
- They move around a lot at night, if they are in your room this could keep you awake
- the smell of fresh poop is sometimes overwhelming to certain people
- When the lights are off and its their awake time, you need to be quiet around there cage, no t.v's computers or moving around when they are up
- TIME, hedgehogs need at least an hour a day of time outside the cage being handled
- On top of the handling the cage maintenance can take up to another 30-50 minutes, the wheel needs to be scrubbed daily, the food and water dishes as well, and fleece or bedding needs to be spot cleaned daily and washed in unscented laundry soap once a week.
- foot baths are needed sometimes 3-4 times a week to clean the poop off their feet (sometimes even everyday)
- Hedgehogs can live for 3-6 years on average although they can live up to 10 years, can you commit to this length of time?
HEALTH
When choosing a hedgehog whether a baby or adult there are some signs to look for for:
- Look at its face. Are its eyes nice and round and beady? Wide open and bright with no discharge? Is its nose clean and not runny? Are the ears short and clean with no discharge behind them?
- Is the fur on its belly soft and not matted?
- Are all the spines there? Any bald spots can be a sign of illness such as mites
- When it walks on a flat surface. Is it a smooth walk? Is there any wobbliness or signs of trouble staying upright? (this is a sign of an ill hedgehog)
- Can you hear rattling when he/she breathes?
- Check the cage. Is there green droppings or diarrhea?
Most hedgehogs are healthy and it can be hard to check all of these things. However if you notice any of these have a qualified vet check over your choice. Most should come with at least a 1 month guarantee against genetic defects. If a problem arises you should have it checked by a vet to show verify the problem.
BEHAVIOR
If there are multiple hedgehogs to choose from pick the initial behavior can be a good way to narrow it down to the right pet for you. Some things to look for when you pick it up are:
-Does it unroll after a few seconds?
-Does it Jump or Hiss? These are okay it’s just a hedgehogs way of letting you know it doesn’t know you and is unsure.
- Is it Clicking? Clicking is a sign that the hedgie is trying to threaten you. You should probably look for a different animal if you are not experience with dealing with aggression.
All hedgehogs are unique and different. They will not all have the same likes and dislikes. Some are explorers and like to run around, while others are cuddlier and prefer to sit and sleep on you. It’s important to choose the Hedgehog that best suits your personality and lifestyle.
HOW OLD
You should never take home a hedgehog before they are 6 weeks old, 7-8 weeks
however is better. Old hedgehogs can also make great pets however on occasion it
may take longer to bond with an older hedgie.
SEXING
Both male and female hedgehogs make good pets, so the choice is up to you which you prefer. Sexing can be done very easily with a friendly hog, and can be done from a very young age. Upon looking at the hedgehog’s belly, Females will have genitalia immediately next to their anus near the tail. Males will have a "belly button" this is the penile sheath and will be located further up on the belly.
Bringing Your Hedgehog Home
The first 24 hours your hedgehog should be left completely alone to adjust to their surroundings. For a day or 2 after that limit your contact with them to max 30 mins a day. After that you can increase the time according to how well your hedgehog handles it. Remember some hedgehogs can take a week to adjust to their new surroundings and babies will often sleep a lot for the first month. After the first week your hedgehog will need a minimum of 30 min to an hour (should be at least an hour 30 minutes is not quite enough time) outside their cage every day. Hedgehogs are nocturnal so remember they should not be taken out during the day. Keep the lights dim and noises down and they will be more comfortable during playtime. Also allowing use of a snuggle bag or blanket where your hedgehog can hide a feel secure will help with bonding
The Downsides of Hedgehog Ownership
Hedgehogs can be rewarding pets, however they are not for everyone, please read through these cons before considering adopting a hedgehog.
- Your hedgehog may never be a cuddly pet, some will always be huffy even with lots of tlc
- Cost, they require specialized care, past the initial set up
- 2 to 3 kinds of quality cat food(or hedgehog food I will have good brands listed on a separate page), 20-45 dollars each which only last 6 months and must be throw out after that
- they eat live bugs, can you deal with having bugs in your house? In your fridge? and these can cost you as well. My hedgehog really loves live mealworms.
- THE VET, a good hedgehog vet can cost you 100 dollars for basic exam, they can go up from there if medication or testing is required.
- A find for these visits is needed before you get a hedgie around 300-500 dollars per hedgehog
- hedgehogs are classified as nocturnal, meaning when you want to play during the day or afternoon, they need to be sleeping although they are becoming more diurnal (they sleep somewhat during the day and somewhat at night) so you may be able to change their sleep schedules accordingly.
- they most likely won’t play like a cat, dog or ferret, and don’t need or even care about your presence like a guinea pig. They have been described as rocks who eat and poop
- They move around a lot at night, if they are in your room this could keep you awake
- the smell of fresh poop is sometimes overwhelming to certain people
- When the lights are off and its their awake time, you need to be quiet around there cage, no t.v's computers or moving around when they are up
- TIME, hedgehogs need at least an hour a day of time outside the cage being handled
- On top of the handling the cage maintenance can take up to another 30-50 minutes, the wheel needs to be scrubbed daily, the food and water dishes as well, and fleece or bedding needs to be spot cleaned daily and washed in unscented laundry soap once a week.
- foot baths are needed sometimes 3-4 times a week to clean the poop off their feet (sometimes even everyday)
- Hedgehogs can live for 3-6 years on average although they can live up to 10 years, can you commit to this length of time?