Is a Hedgehog the Right Pet for You?

While hedgehogs are still considered somewhat "exotic" they are becoming much more common as pets. People are drawn to hedgehogs because they are rare and interesting and also because they are so darn adorable! Hedgehogs are generally easy to care for and fun to watch. However, individuals with gentle, patient and calm personalities are best suited to be hedgehog owners.

While hedgehogs might appear to be unfriendly creatures, they can actually be great pets. When hedgehogs feel scared or threatened, they will curl up in a ball to protect themselves and make all sorts of strange huffing noises. This can seem alarming, but it is only a defense mechanism. When they feel safe, hedgehogs are usually unaggressive. Some hedgehogs are more tempermental than others. Spend some time observing the animal at the store before you bring it home - if it appears especially defensive, it may be more difficult to bond with.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals in nature. During the day, your pet will sleep curled up in a warm sleeping bag or hiding underneath an object that provides darkness and protection. But, at night, if left with an exercise wheel or other toys, your hedgehog will become very active. Hedgehogs may appear to be lazy animals when you observe them during the day, but at night you can see how truly active they are. Hedgehogs are known to run as fast as six feet per second when the need arises!
Helpful hint: It is a very good idea to get your hedgie an exercise wheel so that it does not become obese. In the wild, hedgehogs cover large territories in search of food - when kept in a smaller space, hedgehogs can become too sedentary. Just make sure that the exercise wheel is solid plastic - the wire wheels that work for hamsters and gerbils are dangerous for hedgehogs as their feet can get stuck in the openings.

In the wild, hedgehogs are insectivores. However, this does not mean that you need to feed your pet insects if you don't want to. A dry hedgehog food can be purchased at most pet stores, which can be mixed with a dry, high-protein kitten food. The higher the protein the better as it will more closely simulate a wild hedgehog's diet. You can also feed your hedgie veggies, fruits or cooked meats - just check to be sure that they are safe before you try it. You can still feed your hedgie insects, such as crickets, as a treat, but make sure to buy them at the pet store. Crickets and other insects you find outdoors may have too hard a shell for your pet to bite into. Hedgehogs are known to eat as much as one-third of their body weight in a single night! They are even known to eat snakes!

Hedgehogs are very sensitive to temperature, hibernating if becoming too cold and aestivating (becoming dormant) when too hot. It is a good idea to regulate the temperature near your hedgie with a thermometer. Generally, somewhere between 76 - 78 degrees is considered ideal.

Finally, hopefully you will never need medical care for your pet, but if you do, it may be more difficult to find a veterinarian with experience in treating hedgehogs. Keep in mind that you may need to travel farther or spend more if your hedgehog becomes sick or hurt.

If you think a hedgehog might be right for you, keep researching and ask a lot of questions at the pet store. A special kind of pet requires a special kind of owner. If this is you, you could find a hedgehog to be a wonderful companion.