Posted by kalandra on March 29, 2003 at 11:21:06:
In Reply to: any downsides to owning hedgehog? posted by djs27 on March 26, 2003 at 22:05:30:
Of course there are downsides to owning hedgehogs, I think any animal has some downsides.
Here is a list I made a long time ago of what to expect from a hedgehog... maybe it will help you.
1.Hedgehogs require a warm environment or else they will get sick and die. The room they are kept in should be above 70F.
2.Hedgehogs require a regular souce of an appropriate, high quality food and water.
3.Hedgehogs must be handled daily to have a well adjusted and socialized pet. I recommend at least 1 hr each day, more is better.
4.Hedgehogs will self-annoint (taste something new and then spread saliva over their quills). This often leads to the hedgehog needing a bath.
5.Hedgehogs live 4-6 years with cancer being common in older hedgehogs.
6.Hedgehog babies will go through what is quilling. They will loose many quills while growing in new ones and may become very grumpy during this time.
7.Some hedgehogs may never bond with you that closely.
8.Expect to hold a ball of quills at some point in time. Even the friendliest hedgehog will curl up in a ball and you will get quilled.
9.Hedgehogs will poop on you at some point in time, especially if you play with them right after they wake up.
10.You will have to clean pee and poop from dirty feet and wheels. Most hedgehogs will go to the bathroom while running on their wheel, which then requires cleaning
