Pocket pets are very liked by people who have busy lives and small apartments and they often choose hedgehogs as pets. If they do research before getting the animal or buy a hedgehog from a knowledgeable pet store or breeder, they can be an awesome choice. However, if their owners do not have the proper understanding of how to take care for these little creatures, they often end up leaving them in rescue facilities.

They are frequently sold in the same section with guinea pigs, mice, ferrets, chinchillas or other animals and are mistaken for rodents. Actually they are insectivores, thus feeding them with food like rodents will not lead to great results. They need to be on a protein diet, in order to be healthy. In the wild they are sometimes classed as omnivores because they forage for insects but will eat small salamanders, toads, or even carrion if nothing else is available.

Hedgehogs are no longer legally imported into North America, but there are groups just like the International Hedgehog Association that register hedgehog breeders and attempt to keep pure bloodlines strong. Groups like Hedgehog Welfare Society help to rehome hedgehogs when the owners decide they don’t want them, as many shelters won’t accept them.

Moderate temperature year round is important for a healthy hedgehog, as well as high-grade cat or kitten food, and treats of mealworms or crickets. They need a large cage so they can forage and exercise or they often become obese and get the incurable fatty liver disease. They can be taught to use a litter tray and it is important to use non-clumping litter so it will not stick to the hedgehog and cause urinary tract infections. Prepare a plastic wheel for exercises and a plastic igloo, where your hedgehog will sleep. Be prepared that these pets are not active throughout the day, because they sleep during the day and become active at night. Some Owners may not like this as it may interrupt their sleep. They need occasional baths (warm water, Aveeno bath, and a toothbrush) and will need their nails clipped as well as being seen annually by an exotic animal veterinarian.

It might appear like a large order for such a small pet, but they are quite lovable. If they are handled daily they will often snuggle with you to watch TV and love to be held and rocked in a rocking chair. They have different personalities and will sometimes play tricks such as walking around with a toilet paper tube on their heads. It gives them a feeling of being hidden so they explore it like a living periscope.

They live between 3 and 5 years, so if you want to have them for pets, be prepared to take good care for them for this period. They are great conversation pieces, also making hedgehogs as pets well liked.