I’m sure you have decided that they are just absolutely adorable, but what kind of pets do they make? Hedgehogs are not a perfect pet for just anyone. But, they are a wonderfully unique choice.

Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal, which means they sleep much of the day and are most active in the evening through morning. If you are planning to provide your hedgehog with a wheel and keep him in your bedroom, you might not get much sleep!

Can I pet my hedgehog like a dog or cat? Well, obviously no, but they do enjoy a little petting on their soft underbelly. Baby hedgehog quills are very pointy and can break the skin. I actually get a tiny allergic reaction to the baby hedgehog quills, but nothing that bothers me. It just gets a little bit red and itchy. Once the duller adult quills come in, you shouldn’t have those troubles. Young children may have trouble trying to hold hedgehogs due to their quills. For this and many other reason, hedgehogs are best in a home without young children.

Temperature must be kept between 70-80 degrees. If this means using a small animal heating pad or heat lamp, then they will need to be purchased. Some houses are more drafty than others and in the winter this can prove deadly to a hedgehog. Their body tries to go into hibernation and can cause death if they aren’t warmed up quickly.

So, what can I actually do with my hedgehog besides watching him? You can handle your hedgehog as much as you would like. The more you handle it, the more friendly it will become and the more bonded it will be with you. You can hold your hedgehog, let him run around on your lap or in safe rooms of the house.

Cats and dogs are usually fine with hedgehogs. They mostly ignore them. This is probably due to the fact that they realize they are not worth the trouble to try to eat. A couple of quills in the face will probably be enough to deter them. If you have a dog with strong hunting instincts though, you will probably want to keep your dog away from your hedgehog to prevent any injuries.

Expect to spot clean your hedgehogs cage at least twice per week. The cage itself will need to be thoroughly cleaned 2 to 4 times per month depending on how much spot cleaning you chooise to do. Hedgehog droppings are similar to a cat. If you are lucky, you can litter train your hedgehog. Many hedgehogs choose to use their wheels as the litter box. In this case, expect to be cleaning the wheel every couple of days.

Hedgehogs do not take up much space and are not smelly (as long as the cage is cleaned properly) and they are a quiet pet. They can be the perfect option for people in apartments. Just don’t expect your hedgehog to be like a dog or cat. They are pretty indifferent and can take a little time to warm up to you. But, who can resist the cuteness? :)