Can You Have A Hedgehog As A Pet?
Different animals as pets are increasingly fashionable. Gone is that of only having a cat or a dog, and today we see many people who have ferrets, snakes or others as pets. There are many who wonder, for example, if you can have a hedgehog as a pet. Have you ever thought about adopting one?
Is it possible to have a hedgehog as a pet?
Surely more than once you have seen a little hedgehog rolled into a ball and you have found it adorable. It does not surprise us, because these beings really are, in addition to their character is very suitable to have as a pet.
Although of course, like all pets, this one also has its pros and cons. We present them to you so that you can decide if a hedgehog would be the ideal pet for you.
Advantages of having a hedgehog as a pet
- His calm character. Its mildness is one of the great advantages that this presents when having it as a pet. They are not loud nor do they like to run, jump or any other action that involves unbridled movement, as might be the case with hamsters. They may make a slight purr, like that of a cat, to express that they are okay.
- They don’t need a lot of interaction. Although they will enjoy being with you and your family, they will not require great attention, but prefer solitude. This makes it an ideal animal if you spend a lot of time outside and have to be left alone.
- They don’t have to walk. To relieve themselves, a small cage will suffice. It will not be necessary to take it out to exercise, since, due to its small size, the space in your house is plenty for it.
- They do not smell. When ferrets began to be adopted as pets, those who raised them soon noticed something unpleasant: their smell. This is not something that happens in the case of hedgehogs, who with good hygiene, both from him and from his cage, will not give off any odor.
Although many fear the hedgehog’s quills, these are actually nothing more than a hollow hair surrounded by keratin that, although it is true that it bristles before a possible attack, it is unlikely that it will use it against you if you treat it with affection.
Disadvantages of having a hedgehog as a pet
In addition to the pros, we also present the cons:
- They cannot be together. It is possible that if you decide to have a hedgehog as a pet, you prefer to have two to keep each other company. Well, this is not the case in this animal; it is impossible for two hedgehogs to live together and both survive. It is not known exactly what this spirit of competition comes from, but, if they join together, they will fight to the death.
- They cannot always be in the cage. Although it will be their main habitat, they will need you to take them out from time to time to walk around the house. This could imply that he was going to relieve himself somewhere, although due to its size it is not something too annoying or serious.
- They are not good for children. As we said before, their character is calm, but they also cannot bear stress. Kids will love to pick it up and play with it, but the hedgehog may have an adverse reaction, such as activating its spikey defense.
- You will need a specialized vet. Not all vets are knowledgeable about all animals. The case of the hedgehog, which is considered an exotic animal, will require a veterinarian specialized in this type of animal to treat its health, which turns out to be delicate.
Based on the information we have given you, only you can decide if you want and can have a hedgehog as a pet. If you decide to do it, we can only decide that you will live very tender moments with him. Enjoy them!
