All animals require time and commitment and a pet should never be purchased on a whim. I'm happy to report, though, that hedgehogs ARE a
low maintenance pet
. Expect to spend about fifteen minutes to a half hour per week cleaning your hedgehogs' cage, food bowl, water bottle, wheel and other toys.
Are hedgehogs expensive to maintain?
Expect to spend at least $200 to get things set up for your new hedgehog and don't be surprised if your hedgehog costs you $100 or more.
Being prepared for over $200 per year spent on the care and maintenance of your hedgehog is a low-end starting point.
What are the pros and cons of having a hedgehog?
- Hedgehogs are relatively quiet when they live in your home. …
- Hedgehogs are a low-maintenance pet to consider having in your home. …
- Hedgehogs have a long lifespan for their size. …
- Hedgehogs are not social animals. …
- Hedgehogs don't engage with litter training well.
Does hedgehog poop a lot?
Hedgehogs poop a lot
. They poop all the time. Young hedgies are quite fond of pooping while doing their chores like while roaming around or playing on their wheel. But, as they grow older, they tend to hold much better and can be trained to litter in the right areas.
Are hedgehogs good pets for beginners?
Hedgehogs are playful and can learn trained behaviors
. Once tame, they enjoy being held and played with. They are great companions and can help with self-esteem. Caring for a pet is a great way to teach responsibility.
How much does a pet hedgehog cost?
The average cost to buy a hedgehog can run between
$100 to $300
. The cost will depend on the age of the hedgehog, how friendly they are, and their coloring. The cheapest hedgehogs will be either salt and pepper or cinnamon and “pinto” hedgies will be in the mid-price range.
Do hedgehogs stink?
There are many factors one must consider when buying a new pet and one of those is the smell of the animal. Luckily,
hedgehogs are pretty odor-free
. If you remove any environmental factors that might cause them to smell, you shouldn't smell your hedgehog at all.
Can hedgehogs bite?
However, you should try to use gloves when handling a hedgehog for your own health and safety.
Hedgehogs can bite you, but very rarely will that happen
. This usually happens when they are young and think your fingers are going to feed them (if they have been fed via a syringe as they had no mother).
How long does a pet hedgehog live?
Dr. Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live
about five years, and some even live longer than eight years
.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.
Why you shouldn't own a hedgehog?
Some regions have banned the practice of keeping hedgehogs, as
some carry the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease
. They can also transmit salmonella bacteria as well as viral and fungal diseases, and their sharp spines can puncture skin and cause infections.
Do hedgehogs like being alone?
Whether they live in a spacious tank or outside near the hedges of an English garden,
hedgehogs prefer the solitary life
. If you're thinking of buying two hedgehogs, try to keep them in separate cages. They are happier alone and do not need a companion to fulfill their emotional needs.
Are hedgehogs cuddly pets?
Are hedgehogs cuddly? Due to their spines,
hedgehogs aren't very cuddly animals
. However, they are very friendly and playful pets.
Are hedgehogs potty trained?
Litter box training hedgehogs is very similar to cats.
You may be able to observe certain clues that your hedgehog is getting ready to potty
. As soon as you see these signs you will want to hurry and put your hedgehog in the litter pan. Most hedgehogs will need to relieve themselves shortly after waking up.
Can I bathe my hedgehog?
You can bathe your hedgehog in the sink, tub, or a separate wash basin
. For simplicity, I prefer to use the sink. It's best to run the bath water before putting your hedgehog into it since the running water may get too hot or scare your pet.
How big should a hedgehog cage be?
The cage should be large enough to allow the hedgehog to move around.
2 x 3 feet (61 x 91cm)
should be the minimum floor space provided. Walls must be high enough to prevent escape, as hedgehogs are good climbers. A glass aquarium or smooth sided cage is a reasonable choice for many owners.
Do hedgehogs need a heat lamp?
Keeping your hedgehog warm is something that most owners know they need to do. They also know
getting a heating lamp or heating pad should be a top priority before they bring their new pet home
.
What is a low maintenance pet?
- Hamsters. Taking care of a hamster is easy once they have the proper cage. …
- Goldfish. Ahh, the goldfish. …
- Guinea pigs. If you are looking for a pet that will be as happy to see you as you are to see them, a guinea pig is a great option. …
- Sea Monkeys. Ever heard of them? …
- Snakes. …
- Birds.
Do hedgehogs spikes hurt?
The thousands of pointed quills covering a hedgehog's back are a warning sign to most predators that they need to stay away. They can even be intimidating for humans at first. While they do seem a little frightening,
the quills won't hurt you once you adjust to the gentle way that you're supposed to handle hedgehogs
.
Are exercise balls good for hedgehogs?
Critter Exercise Balls
A large 12” Critter ball is a relatively safe way for hedgehogs to explore their surroundings
. Most owners prefer the clear balls rather than the colored balls. It is hard to say what the hedgie prefers!
How much does hedgehog bedding cost?
Yearly costs ($218 to $417
)
Bedding costs take into consideration your choice of pine, aspen, Carefresh, wood pellets, or liners and laundry. Carefresh and washing liners are the most expensive.
What is a black hedgehog?
Algerian Blacks have
cream colored and heavily banded quills full of black and rust tones
. Their shoulder skin is jet-black. So is their nose, mask around the eyes, limbs, and spots on the belly. Aside from the color identifications, there are physical attributes common between the Algerian and White Bellied class.
Can hedgehogs use a litter box?
These little critters are smarter than a lot of people realize, and successfully potty training them can make your job a whole lot easier! While it's not realistic to expect a one hundred percent success rate,
a decent number of hedgehogs can be trained to use a litter box if you do it right
.
Are hedgehogs worth it?
So do hedgehogs make good pets?
Absolutely!
Pet hedgehogs will thrive and be a bundle of fun if you understand what they need and give them proper care. The same can be said for any domesticated animal.
Do hedgehogs shoot quills?
Just like your hair, a hedgehog's quills can fall out or break off, but
the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself
. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens.
Do hedgehogs have fleas?
Hedgehog fleas
Hedgehogs are renowned for having fleas
. However, the fleas found on hedgehogs are actually hedgehog fleas (scientific name: Archaeopsylla erinacei) which are host specific, meaning they will not survive for long on any other species, be it pets or people.
Why does my hedgehog hiss at me?
When you find a hedgehog hissing or huffing at you, most people will tell you that it is angry. But in fact,
they are actually more afraid or stressed than angry
.
Do hedgehogs like bananas?
Fruits: Dried fruit should be avoided, but a small amount of fresh fruit can be offered to your hedgehog as treats.
Apples, bananas, berries, and melons are popular choices among hedgehogs
. Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans, and cooked squash are some options that your hedgehog may enjoy.
