Hedgehogs make special pets and are unique in eating different food than other pocket pets. They have tiny little spikes and roll into balls when something scares them. Keeping a hedgehog as a pet requires special needs, like housing and food. Continue reading to learn more about how to take care of a hedgehog,
1] Diet
Hedgehogs are insectivores and have a yearning for things that crawl and creep. Crickets and mealworms are the most normally fed insects in captivity, but you must buy a hedgehog's staple diet specially formulated hedgehog kibble from a store, If the kibble brand doesn't have insects in the pellets, you must supplement with live insects, such as mealworms, crickets, and veggies.
2] Health
Pet hedgehogs can have many health illnesses, including dental, skin, mite, lice infestations, intestinal parasites, and tumors.
Vets recommend spaying and neutering to evade diseases later in life. They also recommend thorough dental examinations and the occasional dental cleaning under anesthesia to prevent your hedgehog from losing teeth or developing other dental problems.
You can also brush your hedgehogs' teeth using cat toothpaste and a small-head toothbrush or cotton-tipped applicator weekly.
You must feed your pet with the recommended amount of food, as obesity is another common issue.
Your pet might also experience excessive spine loss due to parasite infestations like mites. In this case, you must visit the vet for a check-up.
3] Play area
Hedgehogs are very active at night and run several miles daily in their enclosed play area. If they do not get the required exercise, they become unhappy and heavy and develop foot sores. Exercise and activity are essential to hedgehogs, so you should be committed to providing them with the necessary space.
4] Handling hedgehogs
Some hedgehogs have a lot of prickly spines, yet they are cute to hold. If you tame them well, they will creep into your hands, take treats from you, and even enjoy being pampered.
Conclusion:
It is easier to tame younger hedgehogs than older ones, so your best chance to have a hedgehog that loves being held is to get one at about six to eight weeks of age.
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