Hedgehogs as pets?

[Martin]

Well this is for me really. A bit of information if you could provide it.

I'm looking to get myself a small pet, something I can take care of and look after... and I've always loved hedgehogs. We used to have a couple in my garden, and they used to be rather tame. We assumed they were a couple because they were always together, and well they had a litter underneath my tree. It was one of the cutest memories I have. They came up to the doorstep like we were their masters... and we used to feed them and take care of them until the left after the winter. I loved it.

Well I've been reading online about small African pygmy hedgehogs that you can keep as pets. But where would I go to get one? And what specifics do I need to look after one? I know this is a bit of a long shot but if you know anything would you share it with me?

Or any other small pet recommendations too, it's all welcome. Thanks

[Dan558]

I've looked a bit into hedgehog pets in the past.

They require a rather large cage, a bigger one then any I have seen. You usually have to but them at an exotic pet store like a place that would sell lizards and stuff. Usually the bigger ones. Other then the large cage they arn'y that hard to take care of from what i read, no more then a rabbit or something. Thats really all i can remember.

Another cool pet you could look into is a chincillia, they are so soft and fun. They require a bit more specialized care like special/constant "baths" in dust but do not need as large of a cage.

[winterborn86]

How about a hampster?? they are so cute and easy to look after, the only prob is they do start to smell if you forget to clean out the cage, and you could but it in a plastic ball and let it run around the floor, i had one until it died.

Or you could get mouse? i had a mouse for a lil while, i rescued it from a cat, that was throwing it around in the air.

[Chez Daja]

If you want a challenge, a roborovski hamster is the one for you. It takes a couple of months to tame them. They're the smallest of all hamsters. They can live in small groups.

If you want a friendlier hamster who is easier to tame, a Winter White or a Campbells would be a good choice. They live quite happily in pairs. (Of the same sex, for obvious reasons.)

And for extremely tame and easy to look after hamsters (who are, quite frankly, a little boring and not as cute), Syrians.

All hamsters require a once or twice a week clean-out... their bedding should be changed every three - five days, and fresh food and water should be given every day or two.

I say this because I don't really know where you could possibly find hedgehogs for pets. Not even rescue centers take them in very often except for ones in the countryside and even then it's a long shot.

If you want any more information on hamsters, hamster care and cage requirements, let me know.

[Zell Dincht]

Oh! If you are looking for really fun and social pets, I recommend getting two small rats. They are so much fun! I have had them before and they are just so much fun! They get smarter with everyday that you work with them. Libby and Delilah used to sit on my shoulders while I would work on papers or surf the internet. Then they climb down your arms and go exploring around your desk. Now your room requires a bit of rat proofing before you can let them out, but that really isn't that hard.

Also, they are inexpensive and you can buy them almost anywhere. I would however suggest that if you do buy your pets, don't buy them from petco. One their policies are atrocious and secondly their pets generally do not stay healthy.

sad day!

Hedgehogs would be fun to have though! They are sooo cute

Good luck!

[Govinda]

Hedgehogs in cages?! Oh man. Well, at least they'd be away from roads.

I'd recommend guinea pigs, if you're heading more towards the hedgehog than hamster end of things. They'll happily live together, or even with rabbits, and are very friendly and soft and nice. You'd need a garden, but I assume you've got one anyway, since you're talking about hedgehogs. Guinea pigs would also be cheaper. But they breed like, well, rodents, so you need to make sure they're not the same sex. They'll just sit on you and listen to your worries and and hear about your day for hours, and let you pet them, as long as there's a treat at the end. And they're all soft and nice, haha.

[Chez Daja]

Yeah, Guinea Pigs are bigger by about twice the size of a Syrian hamster (about four times the size of a dwarf), so you can let them out a lot more if they're fairly tame. Not to mention they walk and run slower than hamsters, so if you're looking for a pet that you can let out onto the floor, guinea pigs are a wise choice.

Unlike hamsters they make a lot of noise, so if you don't mind a slightly chirpily annoying series of squeaks every few minutes, you'll have a lot of fun.

[Martin]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Well I've found a hedgehog breeder within a few miles and he's got a bit of a waiting list but he'd do business with me. Might be a few months though. I can wait, and PH don't worry, my little guy won't be caged all the time because I have a big room and from the information I've got he/she will love it... And believe me "Dippy" (yes it's been named already) will have the run of it

I've had guinea pigs and rats before, and yes they are lovely but I'd need a more nocturnal animal and I know that sounds daft but I'd struggle to look after it during the day. I had Mopsy and Flopsy, they were my rats and Bubble and Squeak were my guinea pigs. They were cutesy and what have you, but sadly are no longer with us

See the idea to get a hedgehog came from my brother. I get stressed quite a lot and well yeah PH hit the nail on the head about telling your pets things... well I'd be doing the same. But I don't spend an awful lot of time at home during the day, so with the hog being nocturnal and bouncy at night I'd love it. Plus I have a huge cage to keep one in, we're talking about 2 1/2 x 2ft so it can sleep in there and stuff. Hamsters are another possibility too, I may take you up on that offer Chez ^^

[MoonStone]

If there cute and DONT rip youre Gf or youre face off, then they are called "PETS" if they bite, then there just mean abd beed to be poked

[Koda]

Even though you have already decided, I just thought that I would go ahead and mention ferrets. I've had several, and as long as you bathe them, keep their cages clean, they are so much fun to have. They sleep around 18 hours a day, and are so mischievious. Adorable!!