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Hedge hogs4/30/2023 ![]() ![]() Truth #4: Hedgehogs hiss and jump at you when they’re angry Are hedgehogs friendly? Wash hands thoroughly after you touch or feed your hedgie or handle objects in its cage. However, it’s best to avoid direct contact with your face or mouth. You might be tempted to kiss or snuggle your hedgehog as a sign of affection. If you or someone in your household might be vulnerable, it’s wiser to choose a different pet. Salmonella can be fatal to older people, young children, or those with compromised immune systems. The bacteria can spread to the hedgehog and all other objects in their living area. Salmonella is a bacterium causing diarrhea, fever, chills, and abdominal pain.Įven healthy-looking hedgehogs can carry salmonella in their droppings. YES! Unfortunately, hedgehogs can transmit diseases, especially salmonella, to other animals and humans. Truth #3: Can hedgehogs give you diseases? Some pets learn to respect the hedgehog, but some dogs (and ferrets) treat them as prey.Ī more serious reason to keep children and other animals away from hedgehogs is salmonella. It’s too easy for a child to overreact at the unexpected stick of a quill, and both the child and your pet could suffer harm. Younger children should probably not handle hedgehogs at all. It’s best to exercise caution around younger children or pets. Touching a balled-up hedgehog feels like putting your hand on the end of a bunch of toothpicks. In fact, they’re not strong enough to break the skin. Unlike porcupine quills, hedgehog quills don’t detach. When your hedgehog feels threatened, he balls up and spreads them out. If you own a hedgehog, you’re going to get pricked by them. Pet hedgehogs have between 5,000 to 6,000 quills. Truth #2: Get ready to be pricked (often) by their spiky quills Can a pet hedgehog hurt you? Ultimately, responsible pet ownership begins with knowledge of the laws in your area. In 2019, the CDC found pet hedgehogs responsible for a multi-state salmonella outbreak. Hedgehogs can carry foot-and-mouth disease and salmonella. Why is it illegal to have a pet hedgehog?Īs we learned from Jurassic Park, there are big consequences to animals escaping into the wild.Įven though they’re small, escaped hedgehogs can hurt local ecosystems by competing with other animals for food and territory. Also, local pet stores may not carry food, enclosures, or other equipment. Finding a vet who specializes in hedgehogs would be hard. In Pennsylvania, you can’t import any hedgehogs into the state.īesides the legal ramifications, there are other issues. New Jersey, Wyoming, and Wisconsin require special permits. Fortunately, the most common kind of hedgehog is allowed in those states. For example, Idaho and Oregon prohibit European hedgehogs. Other states impose specific restrictions. Hedgehog ownership is illegal in those areas. If you live in California, Georgia, Hawaii, New York City, or Washington, D.C., you’re out of luck. If you’re wondering, “Where can I buy a hedgehog for a pet?” understand that pet hedgehog ownership may not be legal in your city or state. The worst consequence of owning an illegal animal might be that you put your pet’s life in jeopardy. Fines, community service, attorney’s fees, and possible jail time are a few reasons why. Owning an illegal animal is a terrible idea. Truth #1: Hedgehogs might not even be legal in your state! Conclusions: Are hedgehogs really good pets?.Truth #12: Hedgehog cost and maintenance.Truth #11: Frequent cleaning is required.Truth #10: Their poop can stink really badly!.Truth #9: Are you squeamish about worms?.Truth #8: Their diet requires attention.Truth #7: Hedgehogs are very sensitive to temperature changes.Truth #6: Hedgehogs are active at night.Truth #5: Lots of patience is needed to bond with a hedgehog.Truth #4: Hedgehogs hiss and jump at you when they’re angry.Truth #3: Can hedgehogs give you diseases?.Truth #2: Get ready to be pricked (often) by their spiky quills.Truth #1: Hedgehogs might not even be legal in your state!. ![]() Are hedgehogs easy pets? Or are they hard to care for?.
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