Hedgehogs are becoming increasingly popular in North American households due to their unique bodies and temperaments. Knowing the negatives and positives of raising these pets ahead of time is recommended to minimize the risk of getting overwhelmed.
This article answers the question “What Are The Pros and Cons of Having a Hedgehog?” by revealing a list of reasons why hedgehogs are the best choice of exotic animals to keep as pets. We also discuss a few drawbacks of raising them at home and other issues that may pop up. Let’s get started.
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What Are The Pros and Cons of Having A Hedgehog?
Their gentle temperaments, independence, and low maintenance are a few pros of raising pet hedgehogs at home. The cons of having a hedgehog include their relatively expensive care costs, poor response to litter training, and specialized veterinary requirements.
The decision to go for hedgehogs often comes to what pros are more important and whether they outweigh the potential cons. It is a personal analysis and conclusion based on individual strengths and weaknesses because we’re all not the same.
What Are The Pros of Having A Pet Hedgehog?
Hedgehogs bring several pros to the table when raised at home and a few are discussed below to help potential owners make the choice that works for them.
1. Joy & Fulfillment
Hedgehogs can be a joy to raise for both veteran pet owners and those just getting started. The spiky mammals eventually get to know their owner’s scent which serves as a source of excitement every time they arrive home and go near their cages.
Hedgehogs can also act as active playmates since they love getting petted, lying on their owners’ laps, or even snuggling under the owners’ blankets or hoodies. The only caveat is learning how to handle them without getting poked by their sharp quills.
2. Energetic & Adventurous
Few pets are as energetic as hedgehogs being raised in loving environments with owners they’re comfortable with. They spend a lot of time running on wheels and engaging in activities that require energy.
The good news is that cat food and packaged hedgehog diets can be reliable sources of calories as long as the vet’s instructions are followed.
In the absence of vets, do not hesitate to seek the right information from experienced hedgehog breeders and popular forums on the Web where members share their knowledge of raising pet hedgehogs.
3. Fairly Independent
Hedgehogs are fairly independent pets that know how to go about their normal routines without human intervention. As long as you provide the right food and water in addition to their favorite bells and whistles like running wheels and igloo hideouts, they should be fine.
Hedgehogs wake up on their own and immediately dash toward their food bowls. They do not need to be taken to their wheels before they start running. You may have to train them in the beginning but once they get a hang of it, nightly running exercises become instinctive.
4. Low-Maintenance
Hedgehogs are low-maintenance compared to many caged animals. Not only do they not require complicated diets but they can fairly enjoy their time in their cages as long as the temperatures are kept normal and constant.
Additional requirements of raising pet hedgehogs include providing their daily nutrition and energy expenditure needs. They can be left alone and checked up on from time to time.
5. Relatively Longer Lifespans
The average hedgehog can live for up to 6 years with minimal care unlike many animals of comparable size. Hamsters, for instance, have an average lifespan of 2-3 years even with the highest standards of care. Other pets of a similar size have similar life expectancy durations making hedgehogs one of the longest-living caged animals of its size. (Source)
6. Hedgehogs Do Not Stink
Hedgehogs have a pleasant scent that makes them easy to handle, unlike many other pets. Traces of foul smells are often caused by poop boots or anointing their bodies with their fecal matter but generally, hedgehogs have some of the most welcoming body scents.
If a hedgehog is stinking for any reason, an oatmeal bath is all that is required for the pleasant natural scents to be triggered.
7. Hypoallergenic Properties
Do you suffer allergies when physical contact with pets is made? Hedgehogs could be one of the best options available thanks to their natural hypoallergenic properties. They can be safely held by most people with minimal risk of suffering allergic reactions.
8. Non-Aggressive
Hedgehogs are gentle souls that rarely exhibit aggression. They are forced to defend themselves when threatened by rolling up into a ball to protect their soft underbellies from physical altercations. Even in the face of aggression, hedgehogs remain themselves and only coil up to discourage predatory attacks.
Hedgehogs seldom attack their human owners even when in bad moods or agitated for some reason which is why many folks believe they are one of the gentle pets out there.
What Are The Cons of Pet Hedgehogs?
Here is a list of drawbacks to expect when raising pet hedgehogs at home, especially as a first-timer with no experience.
1. Solitary Animals That Do Not Socialize Easily
Hedgehogs do not have the most exciting social skills. They are slow to warm up to people and often keep to themselves until they become familiar with an owner’s scent. This trait is meant to aid their survival in the wild since they easily fall victim to foxes, eagles, and ferrets.
Unlike dogs that may respond to petting by complete strangers, hedgehogs have to be familiar with a person’s scent first.
2. Takes Time To Get Used To New Environments
Hedgehogs take their time to get to know new environments before deciding whether it is worth letting their guard down or not. Expecting them to show up in your home and be comfortable right from the first few days can lead to disappointment.
Instead, allow new hedgehogs to settle in and manage your expectations of how long signs of fulfillment or happiness may take.
3. Not Easy For Kids To Handle
Many folks source small pets like hedgehogs for their kids’ pleasure but unfortunately, the presence of the poking quills can thwart those desires. The hedgehog’s sharp spines may expose kids to a range of poking incidents resulting in discomfort.
Hedgehogs also require confident handling which kids may struggle with especially after getting poked by their quills a couple of times. Besides, kids should not handle hedgehogs without adult supervision.
Allowing children to grow a bit older before letting them touch pet hedgehogs is recommended to minimize poking incidents and resultant discomfort.
4. Specialized Vet Care
Hedgehogs are not ordinary pets and not all vets have the necessary experience and skill to provide the right level of care. For instance, a general vet may have no problems conducting surgery on a cat or dog but the same cannot be said for hedgehogs and other small pets.
Hedgehogs are best attended to by exotics veterinarians i.e. vets that specialize in providing treatments for exotic animals like hedgehogs, chinchillas, hamsters, and rats. Unfortunately, the nearest exotics vet may be tens of miles away for rural area residents which could put pet hedgehogs’ lives in jeopardy during emergencies.
5. Nocturnal & Noisy
Hedgehogs make a lot of noises at night after waking up from extended daytime sleep. From farting to hissing as well as chirping, coughing, and snoring, these creatures make loud noises that could wake up owners whose bedrooms are close to the cage location.
These noises can be difficult to differentiate which may inhibit the ability to provide the necessary care during times of illness or other forms of distress.
6. Strict Nutritional Plan
Hedgehogs require a strategic nutritional plan to ensure good health and growth right from the day they arrive. Going rogue with their diet can lead to severe consequences including weight loss, dehydration, and lack of interest in food.
Hedgehogs could also start showing signs of lethargy when exposed to new diets they may not like. Besides, hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and cannot enjoy some of the most popular foods loved by humans due to their delicate stomachs.
7. Cannot Be Neglected For Long
Hedgehogs cannot be neglected for too long even though they are fairly low maintenance. They do not only need to be checked up on but they also require daily handling by owners to keep their emotions in check and eliminate boredom and stress.
Hedgehogs may not be the best pets for prospective owners who are always on the road and only spend a few nights at home each week. Alternatives like pet snakes could be a better option since they require little to no human interaction.
8. Poor Response To Litter Training
Hedgehogs poop everywhere in their enclosures necessitating litter training to defecate in specific cages areas. They also poop a lot during running forcing owners into daily wheel cleaning to minimize infections.
There are a few instances of hedgehogs successfully undergoing litter training but those cases are rare.
9. Hoglets Are Expensive To Source
The average hoglet may cost up to $300 from breeders which can be expensive compared to rats and hamsters that may be picked up for less than $20. The high barrier of entry prevents many folks from getting access to hoglets to raise.
They require solitary enclosures and keeping multiple hoglets is only possible when separate cages are purchased for each. This can be an expensive venture which partly explains why many folks are hesitant to raise hedgehogs.
10. Legal Issues
Many US states have strict laws against raising pet hedgehogs at home and if you live in any of those, following the rules can keep you out of trouble. Here are the states where raising domesticated hedgehogs are currently illegal.
- Arizona
- California
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Pennsylvania
- Maine
- New Jersey
- New York
- Vermont
11. No Interaction With Other Pets
Allowing hedgehogs to interact with other pets can be a bad idea for many reasons. Not only are the hedgehogs at risk of picking up conditions like upper respiratory infections but they could be uncomfortable as well.
Dogs and cats can scare hedgehogs even if they’re left unharmed which explains why experts recommend avoiding interactions with other pets for the hedgehog’s comfort.
Conclusion: What Are The Pros and Cons of Having a Hedgehog?
Raising hedgehogs comes with multiple pros and cons just like any other pet. Weighing both sides of the coin can help prospective owners decide whether hedgehogs can be a great fit in their homes, particularly as first-timers.
The good news is that you can always learn on the job so lack of experience should not scare off anyone convinced that hedgehogs may be the perfect option.