Keller says with time and patience, you can learn to work with your pet and earn their trust. When you first get your hedgehog, you should allow time for your pet to settle into her new enclosure. Once she is more settled in, start doing some handling at night when she is awake. Handling should be focused on getting the animal used to the scents of the hands. Be careful: hedgehogs bite when startled, so going slow and socializing the animal gradually is very important.
Just like any other pet, hedgehogs should see a veterinarian every year to identify any potential health issues early. You should be aware that hedgehogs may acquire a variety of cancerous and cardiac conditions. With annual veterinary visits and early detection, a hedgehog can still have a good quality and length of life. Keller also recommends that all female hedgehogs be spayed. Join the Conversation Like this article?
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Find a Veterinarian Near Thank you for subscribing. All rights reserved. Where do African pygmy hedgehogs come from? What do African pygmy hedgehogs eat? Do African pygmy hedgehogs make good pets? What is an African pygmy hedgehog's natural environment? African pygmy hedgehog rescues Our inspectors have taken in African pygmy hedgehogs that were no longer wanted by their owners, or when owners have realised they cannot care for them properly.
Are African pygmy hedgehogs currently legal to own in the UK? Print African pygmy hedgehogs. Did you find this useful? Reptiles and other exotic pets Information on keeping a non-domestic animal as a pet, plus care sheets for more common species. Our concerns with exotic pets We have concerns about the trade and keeping of wild animals as pets, known as 'exotic' pets. Licences to keep wild animals Can wild animals be kept in captivity?
Owning a pet hedgehog can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience. Because of their cute nature and growing popularity, a lot of people skip the important process of learning about the animal and determining if a pet hedgehog is right for them.
This leads to poor care of their hedgehog, purchases from bad breeders, and other issues. As always, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. 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. There are various lifestyle factors that might not mesh with your schedule, and you should be aware of this before you take the leap.
That species is the African pygmy hedgehog. We have nothing against the other species of hedgehogs of course, but there are three main reasons why the African pygmy is considered the best choice:. The majority of states in the U. Do your research and understand the laws in your local area before you start shopping around and talking to breeders. This adds to their unique and interesting look, but it also provides a challenge for some new owners who want to handle them.
As you two get more familiar with each other it will become easier to pick them up and handle them. The emotions of a pet hedgehog are a lot more complex than most people realize.
When you get used to identifying the small signs and noises they make, the mood of your pet hedgehog will become a whole lot easier to understand.
A lot of owners give their hedgehogs dry and moist cat food since it has the fundamental nutritional properties that they need.
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