One of the most frequently cited reasons for animals being placed in rescue is, “It wasn’t what I expected.”. This section is to help you know what to expect in a pet hedgehog.
You will have to provide a high quality food and pay attention to special dietary needs.
You will need to clean their habitats daily with complete scrubbing done weekly. Not all hedgehogs will litter train perfectly.
Hedgehogs need to stay warm – 72 to 75 degree environmental temperature is required.
You will get poked. Even the best hedgehogs have off days.
You will need to trim the hedgehog’s toenails even if they don’t want you to.
The hedgehog may self-anoint (spread spit on their self).
A hedgehog who is not friendly to begin with will require a lot of patience and respect to re-socialize.
The hedgehog will be happier with an exercise wheel and a place to hide.
If you do not handle the hedgehog frequently, they may not stay as friendly.
A hedgehog may bite, though it is unlikely. Anything with teeth can bite.
Not all veterinarians are familiar with hedgehogs, so it may be difficult or expensive to secure good veterinary care.
Hedgehogs often do not prefer the company of other hedgehogs.
Your hedgehog may never seek you out for companionship. Some hedgies do, but some do not.
The hedgehog may like you better than other people. Some hedgehogs adjust well to change, while others prefer the familiar.
Your hedgehog will prefer to be awake at night. They can make a lot of noise as they eat, drink and explore. Hedgehogs are largely nocturnal.
If your hedgehog is a baby, it will go through a phase called “quilling,” where a baby hedgehog is grumpy and loses baby quills.
Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:10 pm
