what age

[javi]

what age hedgie should i get. i found a breeder and contacted them to see what age they have available. so i was wondering what age is too young and what is too old. what is easier to train

[Jeanette]

I got mine when he was 6 weeks old. That's around the time that the breeder separates them from their mom/brothers/sisters. I've talked to some people about this and I've heard the opinion that this is the best time because it's the earliest that you could socialize (away from thier mom and breeder) with them anyways. (they wouldn't be taken from the mother sooner than that). The longer you wait, the more used to someone else they will get.

This is not to say that an older hedgehog won't be a good pet! They can be wonderful and loving and the best pet in the world if you give them enough love and attention (the same with any age hh).

So, in my opinion, they could never be "too old". But, I got Spiny as young as possible because I wanted to experience him growing up as much as possible.
But then again, you have to look at it this way... if the breeder has hh's that are a year old, odds are, everyone will want the babies and the older one doesn't have the same chance (poor little guy!).

Anyways, age doesn't matter in a lot of cases.
I suggest you go to your breeder and ask to hold some of the little guys. Get to know their personalities.
Will they unball for you? (Spiny has never balled up, even the first time I held him!)
Do they hiss and click (not good...)
They will probably 'huff', but that's nothing to worry about. Spiny does that all the time and I just ignore him. He now huffs without jumping or putting up his quills...
He's just doing it to say "Okay... you win... pick me up... whatever"

Well, good luck! And remember, ask as many questions to the breeder as you can!

[Vincent]

I would get a hedgehog judging by its temperment, and not by its age. :)

I got Vincent when he was 13 weeks old. It was still young enough for him to bond with me, and now he won't let anyone else hold him.

I got Edmund when he was over half a year old. He'd bonded with his old owners, and it took a while for him to warm up to me, but now he's at the same stage Vincent is.

I don't think there's any age that's "too young" and "too old", because not all hedgies can be trained, young or otherwise. Mine still haven't gotten the hang of their litter boxes... :laugh:

[paris26]

what age hedgie should i get. i found a breeder and contacted them to see what age they have available. so i was wondering what age is too young and what is too old. what is easier to train

Train??? What are you going to train them to do??
Hedgehogs regardless of age can be challenging in their own ways. I would also recommend looking at personality as opposed to deciding on age alone. I've had some wonderful hedgies who have come to me as adults and some crabby pants babies that turned into crabby pants adults

[kaiteedyd]

Six weeks is a little too early for most hedgehogs to go home. A breeder needs to make sure the hedgehog is able to eat and drink on his own. I like hedgehogs to go home at 7 weeks at the earliest and I prefer they go home at 8 weeks. As far as bonding goes, hedgehogs don't really 'bond' like a dog or a cat might. You're not going to see any difference in the temperament of one particular hedgehog home at 6 weeks then if you waited till 8 weeks.

[HedgeMom]

Frankly, for a first time owner, a retired breeder, IMHO, is perfect. If the breeder is reputable, the animal will have a wonderful temperment and will quickly adapt to handling and a new routine. I've had many a retired breeder, rescues, owner surrenders and rehomes as well as a few babies that I bought and I truly love the retired moms. Also, bad moms can make AWESOME pets. A hedgehog who is being rehomed by a breeder b/c she destroyed her litters can be an amazingly sweet animal. And annecdotal information indicates that the fact that they were bred can help prevent or delay ovarian and/or uterine cancer, a common cancer in unbred female hedgehogs.

The proper age to get a hedgehog is when YOU'RE old enough and wise enough. The age of the hedgehog makes no difference.

[Nancy]

Most reputable breeders will not let a baby go home at 6 weeks. They are just leaving mom and that age and they should be watched for at least another week to ensure they are eating properly and gaining. 7 weeks is the minimum age they should leave at and I like to keep mine till 8 or 9 weeks just to ensure they are eating, gaining and are doing well away from mom and siblings.

If you get one that is 6 or more months old then you are certain of it's personality. That friendly baby at 8 or 9 weeks old may not remain friendly after quilling. :)

[Jeanette]

Spiny was born April 26th and I got him on my bd, June 13. So this was about 7 weeks. He was eating on his own and was going to be taken away from his mom in about 2 days. So... my clain that he was 6 weeks was a bit exaggerated. lol

[herbiesmom]

Both of mine were about 12 weeks old when they came home. Snow was sweet to begin with and loved to snuggle. Herbie was a huffy little quill ball and now is 6 months old and still has days where he quills and huffs and charges me with visor in destroy mode. Other days, he is a curious little runner who climbs all over me. I have learned to love them both for who they are and enjoy Herbies good days. :hearts:

[Missmegz]

Just to stand up for the crabby-pantses, even the grumpy bums can be endearing in their own way. Just to let you know that even they can make good pets. Felix still hisses whenever I try to pick him up and still tries to hide in his hedge bag, but it makes the jaunts outside where he's so happy and the trusting spread eagle naps on my lap so much more worth it.