Hedghogs as Pets
Once you get past the prickly exterior, African pygmy hedgehogs are fascinating pets. Hedgehogs are illegal in some areas so check their status where you live before deciding on one as a pet.
Hedgehog factoid
Hedgehogs have a remarkable habit called "self-anointing" which can be somewhat startling the first time an owner sees it happening. Particular smells seem to send the hedgehog into a flurry contortions as it starts to salivate profusely and spread the saliva over its back. Learn more about hedgehog self-anointing here.
More
- How to Handle a Hedgehog
Advice on picking up your prickly pet. - Can You Hold or Cuddle a Hedgehog?
Lianne McLeod DVM answers a viewer question.
Photo © Getty Images
Comments
How long do they live for
They can live up to about 8 years, although 4-6 years is more common.
I am interested in getting one as a pet, but don’t know much/anything about them. Are there links you can post or any more information?
thanks
Hi there
Try this link – it covers the basics of hedgehogs and their care:
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/hedgehogs/a/hedgehogs.htm
Thanks
I would like to know if you can hold them/cuddle with them. Im not sure if they really are spikey or furry. So please tell me.
Well, they are pretty spiky but they can be held once they are tame. If they are not used to being handled they put their spines up and roll into a ball, and can be really prickly. However, when they are relaxed they lay their spines down pretty flat and then as long as you are careful, you can hold them quite easily. However, I don’t know if I would call them cuddly, exactly, and mine always preferred running around and exploring to being held.
we have a breeder pair of hedgehogs and they are very fun pets for our whole family.
I am very interested in getting and caring for a hedgehog, i was wondering if you could tell me where to get one? i live in England, Liverpool.
Thank you
I’m thinking of getting a hedgehog. But I don’t know what kind of cage it will need. Can you help me?
Hi Miranda
Sorry to take so long – finally getting caught up with comments. Try out this link for more on cages:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/hedgehogs/a/hedgehogcages.htm
Best wishes,
Lianne
How do I find out if hegehogs are legal to have?
The best way to find about legality is to make some phone calls locally (I’d never completely rely on data from the Net as things can change and pages get out of date…). Advice on how to start to find out can be found here:
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/legalissues/ht/Legalstatus.htm
I know it sounds kind of lame to not be able to give an answer, but at least in the US, exotic pet laws are a complicated patchwork of health, agriculture, and wildlife laws combined with city/state and country-wide laws.
I also was interested in getting a 4th pet. Right now I have a Grey Banded King Snake(for sale) but I’m not really worried about him because he’s always in the cage. I also have 2 dogs that are pretty good with listening but It still worries me to have them all together. Should I be??
I guess the question is Can I leave the dogs running around with the hedgehog?? EVER or is a matter of training them
CEZ:
I’d never leave dogs running around with a hedgehog – in my opinion there’s too much risk the dogs could hurt the hedgehog, even if only by accident in exuberant play. Hedgehogs are pretty resilient, and I suppose it depends a bit on the dogs, but all the same I think it would be too risky to leave them unattended with other pets.
For more on hedgehogs and other pets see:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/hedgehogs/f/hhotherpets.htm
Best wishes,
Lianne
Can you tell me if you can keep more than one hog in the same housing if so can it be either sex or not.
many thanks
Hi Linda
It is usually considered best to keep one hedgehog to a cage, though in some situations pairs or small groups of females can apparently live harmoniously together. However, some hedgehogs will fight if housed with others, and the fighting can be serious, so it is often easiest to keep one to a cage. If you are going to attempt more than one per cage, I’d stick to females and make sure the cage is really roomy. More advice on the topic can be found here:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/hedgehogs/f/hhmultiple.htm
Lianne
I am interested in adopting hedgehog but a dont know where they are sold. I live in macomb, MI. Do you have any ides where i can find one?
thank you
Emily: I don’t know any breeders personally, but a Google search on Michigan hedgehog breeder turned up a few on a breeders list here:
http://hedgehogcentral.com/breederusa.shtml
I’d suggest going to a USDA licensed breeder.
Lianne
Hi,
Are there any tips on owning a hedgehog like: what they eat, caging supplies, etc? And would it make a good pet for a 12 year old?
Hi Bailey
Try this link for basic care info:
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/hedgehogs/a/hedgehogs.htm
As for whether they are good pets for kids, it depends a lot on the kid…they are not overly cuddly but they certainly can be held (with care and supervision) when they are tame. They don’t do an awful lot, but they do like to snuffle around and explore and they are very cute
Before they are tamed are there bites comparable to puppies and kittens, assuming it’s young.
so where can you get them and are they active at night or day
Hedgehogs are nocturnal and mainly active at night, though they may be up and about occasionally during the day. There is a breeder directory here :
http://hedgehogcentral.com/breeders.shtml
or you can do a Google search for breeders in your area, or check your newspaper classifieds. Sometimes pet shops have them, but make sure they are youngish and used to some handling or they can take a while to tame.
My hedgehogs have mites. I have tried everything I know to get rid of them. Any suggests?
Hi guys I have two questions.
1) Do hedgehogs make any noise at all? (snuffle, squeak, etc)
2) Are hedgehogs sold at local pet store(s)?
Great job and thanks.
Brigette
Have you seen a vet about the mites? Your vet should be able to prescribe something for them. If you have seen a vet and the treatment is not working you should be checking back in with your vet to sort out why and find alternatives.
Best wishes,
Lianne
Emmie
They do make some very soft noises – just as you described, actually – mostly snuffles and quiet squeaks. They are not very loud at all, though. More info on vocalizations can be found here:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/hedgehog-faq/part5/section-7.html
To answer you second question, it depends on the store, I suppose, but I have seen them at pet stores quite often.
Best wishes,
Lianne
Are they illegal in Va??
do they bite and if so is it like a rodent bite?
Mine has tried to bite a couple times, but never actually fully bit, more of a nibble. If you’ve just finished eating, the smell of food on your hands might be just enough to entice their curiosity.
Their quills are the only real painful aspect in my opinion, but as was mentioned once s/he gets used to you the quills are less of an issue.
One tip to help a new hog get used to your scent is to leave a t-shirt (that you don’t mind if it gets ruined) that you’ve been wearing in their cage to snuggle in.
Maggie
The best way to find out is to call your state wildlife department; I’m always hesitant to rely on information I find about legality on websites and prefer to check in person:
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/legalissues/ht/Legalstatus.htm
Best wishes,
Hey, I was wondering. I’m only allowed to have a Hedgehog if it’s kept outside, which would be a problem in the winter. so, two questions.
1. Should I even consider getting one until I move out into my own house?
2. Would a heating pad be adequate enough to keep the hedgehog from hibernating in the winter?
Hi
I think you’d be best off waiting…I’m not sure about the heating pad thing but overall I think a hedgehog would be better off indoors.
Sorry it means you have to wait, though
Hi,
I’m about to go off to college and was thinking about getting a hedgehog for a dorm room pet. But I have a feeling I won’t be around to much because I’ll be playing sports in college. Do hedgehogs require a lot of attention?
Hi Morgan
Hedgehogs don’t need a lot of attention – it would be good to give him or her some time to run around out of the cage on a regular basis. Of course, make sure you have enough time to look after basic needs like cleaning
But they do not seem to crave interaction like some other pets.
[edited to add] – I’d say it would be good if you could spend at least a little time with your hedgehog daily, though, to maintain your bond and keep hedgie from getting bored
Lianne
i just got my first hedgehog sleeps A LOT should i leave him alone or still take him out and play with him? he 4 months old. any help?