Do Hedgehogs Make Good Pets? - They Certainly Do!

Do hedgehogs make good pets? The simple answer is "Yes!" But, as with any other question, the actual answer is usually a little more complicated.

If you enjoy watching the antics of cute little mammals, you will definitely enjoy raising hedgehogs. They love to scurry about and burrow under blankets or pillows, and can entertain onlookers for hours. Also, despite their spines, they are actually comfortable animals to hold. They quickly learn to enjoy being held by their owners.

If you are allergic to cats or dogs, a hedgehog might make a good pet. They do not spread dander and so will not trigger any type of allergic reaction. Although they shed their quills occasionally, they certainly don't shed like dogs and cats do.

Hedgehogs are quiet animals, so if you like peace and quiet, they might be the perfect pets for you. Listen carefully and you'll hear a snuffling noise when a hedgehog breathes. When upset or frightened, these small mammals might grunt or chirp. But for the most part, they make nice, quiet pets.

Do hedgehogs make good pets for apartment dwellers? Because they are small, quiet animals, they are perfect apartment pets. Of course, since they do move around a lot, hedgehogs need lots of room for roaming. So you'll have to make sure their cages offer plenty of floor space, and be prepared to let them out to roam freely outside of their cages upon occasion.

Do hedgehogs make good pets for people who like handling insects? Hedgehogs love to eat beetles and caterpillars, so if you or your children like to collect insects, you'll find a ready audience for your efforts in a pet hedgie. You'll find these bugs in your yard or at pet stores. You should also feed your hedgehog dry cat or ferret food, to make sure they get plenty of nutrition.

Speaking of children, do hedgehogs make good pets for people who have children? Certainly, if the children are five years old or older. Children can be taught to handle these delicate little creatures with care. And the hedgehog will get used to the children the more time they spend with it. The kids can even learn to help clean the cage and feed the pet hedgehog. That will help them learn responsibility as well as helping you.

Many people wonder if hedgehogs are difficult to care for. They are actually easy animals to care for. They don't need a lot of grooming, and they can often be litter trained. That isn't always the case, but it's definitely worth a try. All it takes is some patience and persistence.

So if you've wondered, "Do hedgehogs make good pets?" you should consider all of these other things. You might just discover that hedgehogs are the perfect pets for you.

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