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Hedge Hogs
Board: Critter Corner
Aug 3, 2018 9:38am
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Hey,
We are starting to do research on hedge hogs. Are they good pets? Are people usually allergic to them? Do they have the scent that ferrets do? Where does one get a hedge hog? I am not crazy about buying one from a pet store. What sort of cage do they need? What do they eat? Do they play with you, can you litter train it?

Starting to do some checking...besides the obvious whats the difference between a male and female? Is one friendlier than the other? Why are the females more expensive?

Any one have huge pros and cons of owning a hedge hog?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Re: Hedge Hogs
Board: Critter Corner
Reply to: #963361 by Crazyolis
Aug 3, 2018 10:16am
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We are starting to do research on hedge hogs. Are they good pets?

Please, just be sure to name it "Spiny Norman".
Re: Hedge Hogs
Board: Critter Corner
Reply to: #963361 by Crazyolis
Aug 3, 2018 11:31am
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Re: Hedgehogs
Board: Critter Corner
Reply to: #963361 by Crazyolis
Aug 3, 2018 11:32am
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We had Hedggies for years. Mainly because a friend was leading the world in Wobbly Hedgehog disorder research. Wobbly is a horrifying genetic disorder that resulted from over/in breeding in pet strains. My friend was, after years, able to identify and isolate clear breed lines. So no, do not get your hedggie from a pet store. (IMHBKO, one should only ever get fish from a pet store.) Find a breeder who will certify to clean heredity.

I thought hedggies were great pets. If you ever want to see a happy animal, place a hedgehog in a fenced in area in your yard during June bug season and watch the munch-munch joy! I liked females better - they seemed sweeter. A word of warning though, you have to play and cuddle hedggies everyday so that they are trusting of your family. If not, well, you'll get the point!

https://hedgehogclub.com/index.html
Re: Hedge Hogs
Board: Critter Corner
Reply to: #963361 by Crazyolis
Aug 3, 2018 11:32am
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Females cost more because breeders are profit motivated and do not want casual competition from pet owners.
Re: Hedge Hogs
Board: Critter Corner
Reply to: #963361 by Crazyolis
Aug 3, 2018 3:02pm
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We bought ours an an exotic pet store in Las Vegas. She loves to eat meal worms and other bugs dead or alive. There is a bag processed pellet food available but she doesn’t care for it.

As far as smell she doesn’t have an odor like the ferrets we used to own she loves to play on the hamster wheel and baths in the kitchen sink. I agree that you should hold them every day or they will become skittish.

Ours isn’t litter box trained but I suppose it is possible.
Re: Hedge Hogs
Board: Critter Corner
Reply to: #963361 by Crazyolis
Aug 3, 2018 5:25pm
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I love hedgehogs. They make great pets. But with any new addition - the more research you do the better you know if it's a fit for your family.

I haven't heard of anyone being allergic. But they do have fuzzy bellies - so I suppose it's possible. No scent like a ferret. I had six hedgehogs at one time and never noticed a smell on them. A reputable breeder would be your best bet for purchasing one. I follow a Facebook page "Hedgehog 411". They are out of Ohio - but share lots of great info and sell hedgehogs as well.

I kept mine in open wire cages with a plastic tray bottom. I used pine shavings for their flooring. It was easy to clean. I fed mine the packaged food from the store.

Yes - interact with your hedgehog. Otherwise they will be skittish and shy and a bundle of spines all the time. They are very curious and friendly if you get them out and hold them and let them wander around.

It's an excellent pet if it fits your time and maintenance schedule. If not, you end up with a skittish critter that needs fed and has a cage that needs cleaned.

Best of luck. Please let us know what you decide :)
Re: Hedge Hogs
Board: Critter Corner
Reply to: #963361 by Crazyolis
Aug 3, 2018 6:08pm
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There is about 8 zillion different kind of dogs and cats, most of which are available for adoption. They have every personality imaginable. Maybe do what we've done for the last 40 years, adopt a feral or abandon cat. They need people & homes. Leave wild animals in the wild. We have a very low opinion of wild animal breeder, please don't enable them.

Doublesaj & Old Blue