Pros and Cons of Hedgehogs as Pets

Getting exotic pets has become popular nowadays. Many people are looking for something unique and different. And among those exotic pets, hedgehogs have become the most popular one for everyone. There are 17 different species of hedgehogs, from which only 4 species can be domesticated. And the most common species people opt for is the African Pygmy Hedgehog. It's best suited for pets with its non-pokey spikes and has lots of pros for pet owners. But that doesn't mean this tiny rodent kind of animal doesn't have any cons. They do! And depending on the cons, taking hedgies as a pet may be a bad idea for you. So if you are wondering whether to keep a hedgehog or not, then first check out the pros and cons of hedgehogs as pets. So without further ado, let's jump into the video! Hedgehogs tend to have a very calm nature, and they make a very small purring sound sometimes. Compared to cats and dogs, even the rodent pets like hamsters or guinea pigs, hedgies are the quietest option you can go for. Also for their calm nature, hedgehogs become a good option for apartment-living families and for those who don't like too many sounds. Compared to other exotic pets like snakes or lizards, hedgehogs are very low-maintenance. You don't even need to take them for walks like dogs or groom them every day like cats. Only a well-set-up enclosure and proper nutritious foods will be enough for making your hedgie happy. Also for exercise or playing times, an exercise wheel will be enough. Do you still have any questions left? Then check out our video on Hedgehog Care Guide for Beginners. You will get all the detailed information about hedgehog care there. Though hedgehogs are small nocturnal pets, they have the most adventurous or thrilling experiences waiting for you. Whenever they are awake, they become very active and energetic and love to run around the house. You will always be thrilled finding those hedgies from unexpected hiding places. Also, when you bond well with your hedgies, they will love to jump on you, playing hide and seek, and just taking adventures to another level. Those who have allergy problems from furry pets can take over a hedgie without any second thought. These small pets only have spikes that shed off and don't create any allergic problems to humans. Also, they will never seek your attention too much and encourage you to feel some physical interactions with gentle care. The awful problem with most of the pets we can face is their unbearable odor and stinks. Some have bad body odors or some pets' droppings smell gross. So we always need to groom them regularly and clean their enclosures and litter boxes every day. But in the case of hedgies, you don't have to bear those stinks. Hedgies are by nature very clean animals and never smell awful. But if you feel they are stinking, it's a sign of illness. It's best to take them to the vet right away. Being an exotic pet, hedgies do need an exotic vet for their healthcare. But the good news is, you don't need to go for checkups every month or trios. Only a few dental cleaning occasionally and an annual visit will be enough for keeping your hedgie's diseases free. Those who want a cuddly cute pet should ditch the idea of taking a hedgehog. Hedgies like to be alone and don't crave that human interaction as other pets do. Rather, when you try to pick them up, they will run away from you. But after getting used to your presence and touch, they will love to come to you and get tamed. Being exotic pets, hedgehogs are prone to many diseases like wobbly hedgehog syndrome, bacterial infections, kidney failure, and other ailments. For that, you have to be very careful about their health and maintain them properly. Yes, you don't need regular checkups, but when they fall sick, they have to go through some medical care also. The word exotic always adds a little extra amount to our budget. This goes the same for exotic pets too. Hedgies cost almost $200 each which is expensive compared to other pets. Also the cost of specialized licensed vet care will cut your pocket by about $500. So it can be a big con for those who need a budget-friendly pet. If you're not a night owl, then never consider a hedgehog as a pet. Hedgehogs are nocturnal pets and stay active the whole night. The noise of their running and playing will keep you awake the whole night and you will be smudging your eyes the next day. So it's better to consider this fact before taking a hedgie. That said, hedgies love to be alone and they don't even bear any other pets in their territory. Even if you try to keep two hedgies in one cage, for sure you will witness one's demise soon. They will keep fighting all the time so if you want to have multiple pets at home, don't pick hedgehogs at least. Though hedgies are small pets, they need a large enclosure to run and play around. With that, during playtime they love to create a mess inside the enclosure and like to keep it that way. So if you have a small space and don't need a messy pet, hedgehogs are not for you. So these are the pros and cons of having a hedgehog at home. Now it's your call whether you want to keep a hedgie at home or not. Thanks for watching! Don't forget to like, comment, and share this video with your friends if you find our videos useful. Be sure to subscribe and press that notification bell for more updates in the future.