It will all depend on the children in question and how their parents educate them. This position makes their sharp spines stick out. Reasons why hedgehogs may NOT make a good pet you: Hedgehogs are generally shy animals. Not only do they eat a very different type of food when compared to other pocket pets, but they are covered with tiny little spikes and roll into balls when scared. They are great companions and can help with self-esteem. The level of pain involved varies, and, sometimes, the lesions are painfree. Fines, … I’ve never had a pet hedgehog before and it sounds like it’s a nice pet for the kids and it’s not as demanding as having a dog that you need to walk everyday and all that. Before we start, analyze your circumstances. Don’t forget to check to make sure it is legal to have hedgehogs at pets in your state, as well! Common zoonotic diseases carried by hedgehogs are: Normally, this sickness will go away on its own; take note that there is the potential for more serious diseases to develop from this bacterium, like typhoid fever and gastroenteritis. They are absolutely adorable and to be honest I would love to have one, I just don’t have the time to care for one at the moment. Kids aged 10-12 years and up that can understand rules, know the importance of handling the hedgehog properly, and can dedicate themselves to protecting the well-being of their pet. Are Hedgehogs Good Pets? You must also be sure that your young child never pets the hedgehog against the quills’ growing direction. Hedgehogs are no different.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',111,'0','0'])); It can even be said that hedgehogs are more challenging to their human companions because of the shy temperament they exhibit during their initial meeting with their child. The fact that hedgehogs are considered exotic pets can mislead you into thinking that they are high-maintenance. Overall hedgehogs are relatively inexpensive to maintain as pets. Pet hedgehogs can have some of their diet supplemented with moist food like canned cat and dog food. Here are a few of the reasons why.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',116,'0','0'])); Hedgehogs are, unfortunately, very anxious animals. They have quills that hurt when they poke you. Because of the relative newness of the hedgehog pet trend, there are many conflicting thoughts on whether or not hedgehogs should be pets.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'kidfriendlypets_com-leader-3','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])); Having a hedgehog as a pet is illegal in Georgia, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and the five boroughs of New York City. Hmmm. She says it’s the perfect choice. Hardly any people are allergic to hedgehogs, therefore they are a very good option for people that love animals but might suffer allergic reactions to pets like cats and dogs. Our oldest daughter was just seven years old when she brought home her pet hedgehog and we are sharing our experience to help you make a good pet ownership decision too. Just like having a hamster as a pet for kids, most of the cost will be upfront in purchasing the hedgehog and living arrangement. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever can be deadly. They were great pets. AD The @dinosaur, If you've seen how great little sister cares for t, Let’s throw it back to 2016 because what I wrote, I’ll take a side of coffee with my sunshine, ple, If you’ve been around here for awhile, you know, This month we are upping our snack game and making, wood or paper shavings are suggested but our hedgehog has been happy nesting in fleece. It can be argued that outlawing the ownership of exotic pets is unfair because there is no single, specified definition of the term. Hedgehogs are becoming a popular choice as pets lately! My daughter recently finished a week of taking care of animals including a hedgehog and that was the first I had heard of them as pets. When Skittles the hedgehog was new to our home we did oversee all activities and responsibilities. Most cases of this illness are treated with a long course of antibiotics.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-leader-2','ezslot_8',114,'0','0'])); When infected by tickborne encephalitis virus, most humans experience the milder symptoms like fever, anorexia, muscle aches, headache, nausea, and vomited. My daughter loves animals so I bet she would love one. I actually thought hedge hogs had quills like porcupines, shows what little I knew. The website Mother Nature Network reported that experts claimed that hedgehogs would have a negative impact on local ecosystems, becoming an invasive species and adding competition for food and habitats. The second phase is a recognized clinical illness of the central nervous symptom, showing symptoms of meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis. They love to eat. They work toward building trust with their pet and continue to care for its needs while learning about each other. They might be okay for some older kids or teenagers but I would still recommend going with another type of pet. Hedgehogs sometimes cover their spikes with foamy saliva! Hedgehogs are principally pets for grown ups, teenagers or older kids with good animal skills. Make sure to review all the facts! Here are some of the fascinating things that your little ones might to hear about. This process is markedly similar to making friends with other children. Oh my gosh, these are the cutest pictures. I am sharing this with my daughter who always wanted a hedgehog. KFP is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. We vote yes but remember every hedgehog and kid is different so each pet experience will be unique. Our hedgehog eats cat food daily and enjoys an occasional mealworm treat. About 30% of people infected with this disease will die by the end of the second week.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'kidfriendlypets_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',115,'0','0'])); This list is alarming; however, it is important to understand that proper hygiene and habitual, thorough handwashing after handling your hedgehog can help prevent these diseases from spreading. A group of hedgehogs is called an array. I’ve read varying information on the life expectancy of a pet African Pygmy hedgehog but it seems to be a range of two to six years and some sites reference pet hedgehogs living up to eight years. We leave a small bowl of food in our hedgehog’s cage with an automatic water bottle. Thankfully, rats are their own best PR, and as more people keep them as pets, we are beginning to learn that they are, in fact, intelligent, inquisitive, cute, cuddly, and very interesting to be around. This post sheds so much light and changes that. Unfortunately though at the time hedgehogs were not permitted in Arizona. Owning an illegal animal is a terrible idea. Hedgehogs are prickly and have sharp quills. We have a friend that had one in college. They can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. If I showed my daughter, she’d want a hedgehog. Most of the threats to safety that hedgehogs present can be either lessened or completely erased.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',118,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',118,'0','1'])); All it takes is a little creativity and determination to make most goals happen. 1. Are Hedgehogs A Good Pet For Kids? For the majority of each year, children attend school regularly and take part in afterschool activities on some days. Skittles looks like a super fun pet! It is important to note that hedgehogs need a steady, warm temperature – preferably between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Maybe we’ll try one out down the line. Do Guinea Pigs Make Good Pets? link to Will a Pet Pig Get Along With Dogs? Now that Skittles has been in our home for a couple of years, our daughter fully takes care of her pet hedgehog by herself. If you find an injured hedgehog, wearing thick gardening gloves, pick it up by holding it in both hands round the middle, scooping it up. Hedgehogs can live up to 6 years in the wild. Especially when choosing a pet for a child, the pros must outweigh the cons. Over the past years we’ve had some interesting pets but currently have one dog, two cats, a hedgehog and turtle. If your hedgehog is very poorly or is cold, you can also give it a hot water bottle or a drinks bottle filled with warm water and wrapped in a tea towel, to snuggle up to. My husband had a hedgehog growing up, and because of this my daughter wants one! If you’re allergic to pet dander, the hedgehog is the right pet for you, as hedgehogs have no dander. Oh my goodness!! It is important you take the time to bond with your pet hedgehog. KFP is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Ha, I feel that way about snakes! He or she worked at earning his or her hedgehog’s trust and, subsequently, found his or her own self worthy of love and meaningful relationships.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-banner-1','ezslot_19',109,'0','0'])); The fact that hedgehogs are hypoallergenic makes them an even more appealing pet for children. Veterinary care is not a big factor unless you need to seek assistance in caring for your hedgehog. But I’m not sure I could ever have one as a pet, I am so used to seeing them out on the lawn waddling about it seems strange to me to have one as a pet. The small animals become frightened easily, when they feel threatened they curl up into a ball a will maintain that position until they feel safe again. Adult hedgehogs for sale. Hedgehogs prefer to spend their days having a good long snooze, so they have the energy reserves they need to enjoy the night life. The fact that hedgehogs are considered exotic pets can mislead you into thinking that... #2: Hedgehogs Will Become Affectionate After Being Tamed I’ve learned a lot about them from this post that I never knew. You may have seen online or on television the home where a pig and a dog get along beautifully. This may help to conceal their scent. Hedgehogs can swim and climb. Unlike rigid porcupine quills, which are sharp, these creatures are more approachable and not dangerous. ​Larger, less skittish, longer-lived, and easier to handle than many other rodents, this often … Home For Sale Policies Care > > > Schedule a pickup Blog Our Herd Store Fun Facts/FAQ FAQ We have no adult hedgehogs available for adoption at this time. If the disease persists past the first week, those infected can begin bleeding into their skin and experiencing mood instability, agitation, and mental confusion. Pet hedgehogs have smooth spines on their coat, similar to the bristles of a brush. Hedgehogs are the only British mammal with spikes. The exotic mammal, though small and adorable, seems a bit unnerving. We have our Cairn Terrier, and I don’t think he’d take too kindly to have to share us with a hedgehog haha! This was very helpful! You may think that this trait doesn’t really fit in with a child’s lifestyle, but it does. My daughter was seven years old when baby Skittles the hedgehog became her pet and we haven’t had any challenges. We have two wheels to alternate between cleaning. Definitely something that parents should consider. Oh my gosh. A poke from hedgehog quills is not extremely dangerous but may cause some tears. Now, My Little One had mentioned how she’d like one… or was that a sloth? Because your younger child doesn’t understand the taming process, he or she could attempt to snuggle with their new pet, triggering a defense response that could harm the child. Hedgehogs are fairly low maintenance, yet rewarding. Hedgehogs can be purchased for varying prices depending on where you live. Hedgehogs can be social little pets that provide emotional support and can make children happy. Now, when you reach the part that lists the risks of owning hedgehogs, think of a way that you can reduce that risk in order to be able to safely raise a pet hedgehog. A goldfish or a whole aquarium full of fish can be the ideal choice for kids with allergies and can be every bit as rewarding as a four-legged pet. As long as you clean their cage every other day and make sure they have clean water and food bowls, hedgehogs will remain happy and healthy. Some may be enthusiastic and ready to love you while others will take weeks to start to trust you. Hedgehogs curl up when they are scared. Make a hedgehog a home. They are so cute and i wish I had a wheel to run on for exercise. Humans will first experience flu-like symptoms. Last year we upgraded her home to a multilevel wire cage. Caring for a pet is a great way to teach responsibility. Thank you for this! A quick search on the internet will uncover a variety of answers to this question. Many potential customers want to know whether or not hedgehogs are good pets for someone who is allergic to cats and dogs. Hedgehogs are prone to obesity so it’s important they are not overfed without the opportunity to exercise. If your hedgehog is exposed to extremely cold or hot temperatures, it can negatively impact its behavior and health. Hedgehogs are wonderful creatures that inhabit our gardens in the UK, and there are many friendly facts about hedgehog for kids that you might like to know. Because the labeling of exotic pets is primarily opinion and conjecture, there is no way to truly write a law against owning them.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'kidfriendlypets_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_16',113,'0','0'])); As defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, zoonotic diseases are diseases spread between animals and people. For several years my oldest daughter was intent on having a pet hedgehog. A bit prickly and sometimes grumpy, hedgehogs are a pet for families who are patient, gentle and like to play at night or the early morning. So, Why Do Hedgehogs Make Great Pets for Kids? How adorable! When it comes to choosing suitable pets for their children, I believe that parents can make an informed decision based on research into the animal and the knowledge of their child’s maturity level. Over two years later she is still just as excited about her pet hedgehog, Skittles, and they share a remarkable bond. And it's no wonder since they make wonderful pets; they are adorable and easy to take care of. Posted: (3 days ago) Pet hedgehogs are unique animals so they also make unique pets. You may have to bathe them if they get something stuck in their quills or end up excessively dirty. Most young children have small, clumsy hands that can easily slip onto the quills. Since having hedgehogs as pets are just recently gaining in popularity, there has been a learning curve when it comes to whether or not hedgehogs are suitable animals for becoming pets, especially in households with children. The most asked question when anyone finds out we have a pet hedgehog is, “do hedgehogs make good pets for kids?” Please note this post is intended to help you decide if a hedgehog is a good pet for your child, not to serve as a purchasing guide. Hedgehogs are playful and can learn trained behaviors. In a persisting form of the disease, the liver and kidneys can fail, and the sick person can be thrown into acute respiratory distress syndrome. In my opinion I do think hedgehogs make wonderful pets. Overall hedgehogs are relatively inexpensive to maintain as pets. Hedgehogs are solitary in the wild and do not need hedgehog companions in captivity. Most enjoy spending some time with their owners each day (around 30 minutes), but are not suitable for young children who are looking for a pet they can play with often. Make sure that your young children are patient and calm enough to handle a hedgehog properly. The African pygmy hedgehog is the most common domesticated hedgehog. I think they would make terrific pets!! However, it would be negligent to not mention the dangers of having hedgehogs as pets, especially when some of those dangers threaten the health of young children. The hedgehog is definitely the easiest of the group! Loud or constant noise can trigger their stress response, which involves the hedgehog curling into itself and sticking out its quills. Since hedgehogs take the time to get to know and learn to trust their owners, they end up building a relationship with a solid foundation that results in a strong bond between a pet and its little human. A friend recently messaged me reminding of the dangers of owning a hedgehog. They are so adorable! A friend of mine has one that she takes with her on the road (she travels around pulling a trailer and teaching art classes most of the year and wanted companionship). I used to think they were super high maintenance but you and my friend have convinced me. We had two African Pygmy hedgehogs going back a number of years. They are rather small in size and do not take up a lot of space. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Additionally, infected humans can develop skin issues, joint stiffness and pain, and the spread of bacteria to the blood. Don’t be alarmed – hedgehogs are perfectly suitable pets for kids – older kids. Nevertheless, do not look over the negative aspects of owning a hedgehog and immediately decide to discount any thought of purchasing one. Learn how your comment data is processed. Nope. BB2U. The African pygmy hedgehog is the most common domesticated hedgehog. This is a Hybrid of two different species of African Hedgehogs. However, generally speaking I would not recommend hedgehogs as pets for children. Rats. Be mindful that it will cost more than the usual veterinarian bill for a cat of dog. - Ralphy, Sophie, and Zoey. In extreme cases there is permanent neurological damage. It is how they defend themselves against predators. Just like having a hamster as a pet for kids, most of the cost will be upfront in purchasing the hedgehog and living arrangement. I’ve never considered buying a hedgehog for my daughter. Article continues below advertisement Her “What It’s Like to Have a Pet Hedgehog” essay contributed most of the information in this post so you can have a real perspective from a child with a pet hedgehog. Hedgehogs exhibit varying levels of being sociable and loving when they first meet their owners. Because of this, the hedgehog, and other animals labeled as exotic pets, are encouraged to return the animals to amnesty programs that allow the surrender of exotic pets without penalty. Let’s do this thing. Oh, they are so cute together! More serious conditions occur if those infected reach the second phase of this disease. Allergies are extremely common in children and buying an animal for your child only to find out he or she is allergic to the animal is a heartbreaking ordeal. Put it into a cardboard box lined with newspaper and give a small towel or tea towel for it to hide under. Hedgehogs are nocturnal pets so they are not most active during the day. How to Care for Pet Hedgehogs - Basic Hedgehog Care Guide. With sweet faces and naughty eyes, these fuzzy creatures are undeniably adorable. Hedgehogs can be tamed, and become quite loving and social. The variety of illnesses discussed in the last section apply here. if you’re considering a pet hamster for your child! Hedgehogs typically cost $150-$300 and the ongoing costs include bedding and food. Remember that hedgehogs are considered exotic pets. There is an abundance of positive information on hedgehogs; however, there are also some warnings about issues that can arise with your pet.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',105,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',105,'0','1'])); Not only are hedgehogs incredibly cute, but they make great companions for children. I might just have to get one. A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet. Hedgehogs prefer to spend their days having a good long snooze, so they have the energy reserves they need to enjoy the night life. Hedgehogs are nocturnal presenting the opportunity for your child to have a companion in their room at night if they get lonely. Common cages are big plastic tubs and this is where our hedgehog lived when we first brought her into our home. I’m strictly a dog or cat mom. The quills are up and sharp when our hedgehog is not comfortable but relaxed when she’s content. Hedgehogs typically do not bite but their quills are very sharp potentially making it a challenging pet for a young child. Avoid metal cages with metal bottoms because hedgehogs prefer to be warm. You can’t keep just any hedgehog as a pet. Young children, toddlers, and especially babies should not be exposed to hedgehogs. I can see your daughter is really pleased with him. Of course a hedgehog is not your run of the mill pet and keeping him must be a challenging task. She runs in an exercise wheel for hours every night. Kids can play an active role in caring for their hedgehog pet, giving them confidence and building up their self-esteem.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'kidfriendlypets_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_0',107,'0','0'])); Hedgehogs live in cages. I knew nothing about them before reading this informative post . Hedgehog quills are very sharp and dangerous if they fall out on the floor (yes, I’ve stepped on one!). Finding a hypoallergenic pet that your child is enthusiastic about owning is like hitting a goldmine. When our hedgehog eats cat food daily and enjoys an occasional mealworm treat never thought that they are different. I wish i had a hedgehog and owner too of illnesses discussed the! Called African Pygmy hedgehogs going back a number of years any challenges to love you while others will weeks! 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