Hedgehogs

[SATX*APhi]

I got a hedgehog over the weekend and was just curious to find out if anyone had one or knew somebody who had one. I hadn't heard of a hedgehog until I saw one at one of my sisters apartment.

I have yet to pick up my hedgehog b/c I am afraid that she won't recognize my smell and poke the heck out of my hands! I have done some reading on hedgehogs, but does anybody have any pointers?

Thanks!!

[FuzzieAlum]

One of my sisters had a hedgehog named Beavis (yes, like the TV show). I was always scared to hold it, but lots of other people would with no problem, even relative strangers. But geez, that thing could run fast. When she let it out we had to watch all the exits!

[sororitygirl2]

A hedgehog?! What a unique pet... how do you acquire one and how much do they cost? Can you buy it at a pet store?

I have always loved chinchillas and sugar gliders but, for now anyway, will stick to dogs and cats.

[AchtungBaby80]

A hedgehog, wow! I didn't know people kept them as pets. We have one that comes into the back yard at home and eats the apples off the ground, and it's so cute--it's really fat, so it looks cuddly. Too bad it's wild...

[violets]

Yes, my younger cousin has a hedgehog as well as a ferret and a chinchilla. I'm not big of rodents of any variety, so I can't give you too many tips, however, according to my cousing the hedgehog is by far the most affectionate of her animals. She loves the little thing. She puts it in this plastic orb and lets it run round the house, it's so funny to watch.
Good luck with your pet. What have you named him/her?
violets

[suzymoonspider]

I have always wanted a hedgehog- but never figured out how to get one. My ex-roommates own a praire dog- it is a cute pet- she is so sweet but if she gets mad watch out. Also, my great-grandpa had a pet racoon- he found the baby and raised it and kept it. He and it both died before I was born though but my mom tells me about it all the time

[aggieAXO]

I recommend seeing a veterinarian that treats exotic pets for a physical and discussion about proper care-do not depend on the pet store people to give you proper information-they are usually idiots-sorry I just usually have to deal with the aftermath of months of improper care b/c the pet store person said to do this and that and when an exotic gets sick it is usually very difficult to treat them.

[suzymoonspider]

I think it is important to add that you SHOULD NOT have a prarie dog or a racoon for a pet. They are meant to be wild animals and not be kept as pets- and some animals including hedgehogs are illegal in certain states and carry hefty fines.

[Optimist Prime]

Will you name him Sonic?

[Shark_in_Skirt]

Originally posted by suzymoonspider
I think it is important to add that you SHOULD NOT have a prarie dog or a racoon for a pet. They are meant to be wild animals and not be kept as pets- and some animals including hedgehogs are illegal in certain states and carry hefty fines.

I agree that nobody should ever take a raccoon or any other animal out of the wild to raise... although of course, if a teeny little baby is abandoned by its mother, you gotta be a good-doer and raise the poor little thing if you can!

Just wanted to add that ferrets are illegal in California under the pretense of being extremely dangerous and unpredictable... how true this is, I'm not sure. I've only come across one ferret and I thought it was very sweet.

XOXO,
Annie.

[SATX*APhi]

Her name is Serenity. She belonged to one of my sorority sisters who was interested in getting a different pet, so Serenity was given to me already named. She even has a decorative rock in her cage with Serenity written on it.

If you want to get a hedgehog, I do not think they sell them in pet stores, at least they don't in my home town. You can look for breeders on the internet, but they are quite expensive, somewhere around $100.

Oh, and AchtungBaby80, most overweight hedgehogs die of fatty liver disease. When keeping a hedgehog, you need to make sure that they are not under or overweight. I learned that while reading up on hedgehogs this weekend. Yay, I am smart!!

aggieAXO, thanks for the advice. I did some reading on the internet and there were a few things that seemed rather sketchy to me. The only problem is I have no idea if any of the vets in this city will know anything about hedgehogs.

[Corbin Dallas]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
Will you name him Sonic?

I like the name Ron Jeremy better

[EagleChick19]

*Bow Wow Chicka Bow wow!!*

[Kevin]

I had a friend that bred the things... He eventually got bored of it and sold 'em all. Dogs and cats still make the best pets.

[DWAlphaGam]

I know someone who has a hedgehog. She named him Hagrid and took him in her purse to see Harry Potter at the movies. Yeah, she's weird. The hedgehog is cute, though.