Hedgehog
"I poke, but I make a great pet :)"
...Mr. Hedgehog
Are You Ready to Adopt a Hedgehog
Hedgehogs do require care, regardless of popular belief. This means that they need trips to the veterinarian. They must be bathed. They must be fed and watered. Their cages must be cleaned, and they do require attention. Are you ready to provide these things?
Hedgehogs require cages - preferably made of glass or plastic. These are not animals that can be left to roam around your home freely, and they certainly cannot survive outdoors, even in a cage. These are strictly indoor pets. Furthermore, hedgehogs, although small, do need plenty of room to move around. A small cage won't work out very well.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures. This means that they will sleep during the day, and be most active at night. This is a problem for many people and many hedgehogs.
Regardless of the fact that they are small and kept in cages, hedgehogs are still considered pets, and many rentals do not allow pets. Please check with your property manager or landlord before acquiring a hedgehog, and be prepared to pay pet deposits as required.
Some states require you to have a license or permit to own a hedgehog. Make sure that you find out the requirements in your state, as well as in your city before acquiring a hedgehog.
While caring for hedgehogs isn't terribly expensive, there are still expenses involved. Do not assume that it won't cost you any extra money each month to care for such a small creature. It will.
If you will be moving at some point in the future, will your hedgehog be allowed to move with you? If not, don't get one. There are hedgehog rescues that exist for the purpose of caring for and adopting out displaced hedgehogs, but it isn't fair to the hedgehog to have to use those rescue's services.
If you have carefully considered all of these things, and you feel that you are ready for a hedgehog in your life and in your home, congratulations. You are about to acquire a pet that is quite unusual, and quite interesting. If, after reading this however, you've decided to put off getting a hedgehog, congratulations on making a responsible decision.
Next Article: How Do I Choose a Hedgehog