Hedgehogs have become increasingly popular due to their uniqueness and low maintenance. The spiny coat and the curiosity of the animal make it a very interesting pet. If you are planning to bring home a hedgehog, you should know what responsibility and care is needed to let them live happy and healthy lives. This paper is going to review some factors to be considered for keeping a hedgehog as a pet: care, diet, habitat, and personality.
What makes hedgehogs great pets?
Hedgehogs are small and nocturnal, rather prickly in appearance. They are generally quite docile, enjoying human contact if well handled. Due to their small size and low maintenance, hedgehogs make a good choice for people with small living spaces apart from apartment dwellers. Special care is required for them, but on the whole, they are pretty low maintenance and make a good choice for first-time pet owners.
Hedgehogs Are Quiet and Low-Maintenance
Probably one of the nicest features about hedgehogs is that they are quiet animals. Unlike dogs or birds, they never give out loud barks or meows. This can be very good for people living in quiet environments or sharing spaces.
They are also relatively low maintenance in terms of grooming. They don’t have to be brushed every day, like cats and dogs, as a general rule. They normally will keep themselves clean. One important thing though, they need to be put in a clean environment, provided adequate bedding to eliminate the incidence of health disorders.
Hedgehogs Aren’t for All People
While hedgehogs can make great pets, they may not be for everybody. These small creatures are nocturnal, meaning they do most of their activities at night and sleep through the day. This could be a problem with pet owners looking to have some interaction with the pet during the daytime.
Furthermore, hedgehogs have special requirements regarding temperature and diet that are somewhat more complex than what the average pet requires. Their space should be kept clean and safe, as well as an understanding by owners that trips to the vet for check-ups may be necessary.
Understanding a Hedgehog’s Needs
To keep a hedgehog healthy and happy, one has to address basic care requirements: a suitable environment, good nutrition, and handling that will provide your pet and keep it sociable and well-adjusted.
Housing and Habitat for Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are solitary, and each needs his space. They do need a proper enclosure to live healthily. They will need an extremely large cage, well-ventilated, and with room to move freely. Wire cages, glass aquariums, and plastic bins will suffice if the ventilation and space inside are proper.
The bedding should be super-absorbent and can be paper-based bedding. Bedding should make the habitat dry and odor-free. Avoid using beddings with pine or cedar since these are claimed to be harmful to hedgehogs. Provide hiding places within the cage. Hedgehogs love to hide in a solitary place to maintain their sense of security.
Temperature Control for Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are very temperature-sensitive and should, therefore, be kept in warm conditions. The ideal temperatures for a hedgehog range from 72°F to 80°F or from 22°C to 27°C. Anything lower than this makes them hibernate, which is quite dangerous for hedgehogs and may lead to death, especially if they have poor health conditions.
If it is a colder month or you live in a cold climate, you will have to invest in a heat lamp or a heating pad in order to ensure the temperature is kept comfortably. This should always be done without allowing the heating element to create hotspots in the enclosure.
The Right Diet for Hedgehogs
A good diet plays an important factor in the hedgehog’s life. In their natural habitat, hedgehogs are insectivores, their main course comprised of insects, small animals, and plants. Being pets, they will also need a diet that is very much similar; balanced and high on quality commercial hedgehog foods.
What do hedgehogs eat?
Specialized hedgehog food, normally found in any pet store, will go a long way in giving your pet a well-rounded diet. As for augmenting their diets, hedgehogs can have live insects such as mealworms, crickets, and earthworms that will carry essential protein and nutrients for them.
Aside from proteins, hedgehogs are supposed to have fresh vegetables: cooked sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots. Small treats include apples and bananas. Do not feed them any food that has high fats and sugar since these lead to obesity among other disorders.
Hydration and Water
Your hedgehog should always have fresh, clean water. They always prefer to drink from a bottle than from the bowl, especially for keeping it clean. Renew the water in it every day and wash regularly to avoid growth of bacteria on the bottle.
Socialization and Interaction with Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are not social animals, as some other pets may be-like cats or dogs. They are usually alone and take some time to get used to new surroundings and human contact. However, with patience and consistent handling, most hedgehogs will acquaint themselves with their owners and enjoy light interaction.
Handling Your Hedgehog
The hedgehog, if handled, needs a lot of care taken and patience. This little creature often curls into a ball when threatened as a means of defense to expose its spines. To some extent, this may be viewed as a fragile boundary, which one must not tamper with. As time goes by, hedgehogs will understand how to trust their owners and at times will enjoy spending their time with them.
Mental Stimulation and Enrichment
Keep your hedgehog active, both mentally and physically, with enrichment activities such as tunnels, wheels, and toys. Hedgehogs are very curious animals and tend to like investigating around them. Several things around their area would keep them amused and moving.
Health Considerations for Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are usually very healthy animals; however, just like all pets, they can be susceptible to some health problems. The hedgehogs require a veterinary doctor who will help in maintaining their good health. The most common diseases that are usually found in hedgehogs are obesity, dental problems, and skin problems.
Common Health Issues
- Obesity: Hedgehogs easily develop obesity from overfeeding and poor exercising. This type of obesity could bring further serious health complications. Feeding your hedgehog a nutritionally sound diet coupled with ample opportunities to exercise will prevent obesity.
- Skin problems, especially fungal infections or dry skin, may take place in hedgehogs and result in itchiness and discomfort of the pet. The hedgehog’s environment should be kept clean; exposure to extreme moistures and cold temperatures should also be avoided.
- Dental Health: Hedgehogs are susceptible to dental ailments, especially when their diet is not balanced. Regular monitoring of the gums and teeth helps avert any chance of dental disease.
Frequently Asked Questions on Hedgehogs as Pets
Are hedgehogs good to begin with for a pet?
Yes, hedgehogs are low-maintenance and good to start with, though they have some specific needs, like keeping the temperature just right and being on a specific diet.
How long do pet hedgehogs live?
They usually live about 3 to 5 years, though they can live a little longer if properly taken care of.
Are hedgehogs space-consuming animals?
No, hedgehogs don’t require large spaces, but they should be big enough that the animal will be able to move and get some exercise there.
Can hedgehogs be kept in pairs?
Hedgehogs are solitary animals that shouldn’t be kept in pairs because they get territorial and will fight.
Do hedgehogs need a wheel for exercise?
A wheel is great for hedgehogs to run on, providing it be of a suitable size and design that they cannot injure themselves on.
