Is hedge right for me?

[TGoss]

Hey guys i really want a hedgehog!! But im only 13. I have 2 sugar gliders right now and i love em and i dont think ill get tired of them like most teens do. I really want another unique pet! Ive looked into hedgehogs but cant find any breeders in arkansas i wanna get one this christmas! Are they pets that bond with you? cause suggies are very social! What kind of housing do you do for a hedge anyways?

Thanks

[HedgieMate]

Your age probably has little to with how well you'll get along with your hedgehog. There is a fair number of young people in this forum who take very good care of their hedgies and chins. That you already have sugar gliders and have been doing well with them is a good sign.

I'm relatively new to the HH world, but I've already learned that each HH has a very different temperament (hognality?) just from reading the posts here. Some demand a great deal of patience, others require much less patience and less time to bond with humans.

My advice to you is (a) Do a lot of research before you actually get one -- the next Christmas is a good timeframe although you might have to wait until spring to get a baby; (b) Prepare yourself for the worst. Expect your hedgie to take at least a year to truly bond with you, then you won't be impatient with it and you'd be delighted if it takes less; and (c) Please don't get a HH just because they are unique and you can show it off to your friends. Your hedgie is not a popularity booster. Plus, some hedgies are very timid and don't like to be exposed to many strangers at once.

As for the proper housing, you can check out the "Hedgehog Housing & Accessories" section.

HHs are adorable and great companions once you come to appreciate what they are and as they are. Good luck! :)

[hemi_mygirl]

If you're just looking for another unique pet for the sake of having one, don't get a hedgehog, or any other pet for that matter. Pets aren't meant to be paraded in front of people just to show off.

To answer your question though, do lots and lots of research. Hedgehogs have very special warmth requirements, and may hibernate (or die) if they aren't met. For housing, check the "hedgehog housing" section.

Make sure you have lots of funds for vet checks... hedgehogs are expensive. For just a routine vet visit, it costs me $53. That doesn't include anything like gassing, fecal smears, or medicine.

Hedgehogs can, however, truly bond to their owners. Usually, each hedgehog chooses one favorite person. This is the case with my hedgehog. She's extremely tame, and I can do anything to her.. she'll even play dead on command. She just tolerates everyone else.

My advice is to take your time, maybe handle hedgehogs from a petstore to see if you can get used to the quills, hissing, and other things they do. Can you handle being bitten by sharp little hedgie teeth? What about if the hedgehog you choose is very timid and anti-social - would you just give it up?

If you can't find any breeders where you live, make sure to check your Fish and Wildlife office to see if they're legal. Hedgehogs aren't legal in certain areas, and if you manage to get ahold of one and F&W finds out, it will be euthanized.

Just make sure to think about the decision.

[Nancy]

Not only do you need to be prepared and knowledgeable about a hedgehogs requirements but your parents must be also. Because of your age, they are the ones that will be paying for food, bedding, vet expenses as well as increased hydro bills because most hedgehogs do need supplimental heating.

Some hedgehogs are very social and will bond with you. Others will seemingly want nothing to do with you.

Read all the past threads on here which will give you a good idea of what hedgehogs are like and then make sure your parents are knowledgable and willing to pay for all the hedgehogs requirements. :)