A New Trend in Pets – the Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are finding themselves in more and more homes as people discover the charms of this new pet. Compared to other pets, a Hedgehog doesn't require a lot of maintenance, or even an over abundance of attention. Sleeping most of the time and easily entertained when they're awake, the Hedgehog makes an ideal pet.
Despite their solitary nature, pet Hedgehogs do become very affectionate with their owners and will be content to simply lounge in your lap and keep you quiet company. This may be the only reason you need to buy one, but there is more to this new breed of pet.
Pet Hedgehogs have distinct personalities and are surprisingly intelligent, fun to play with and easily entertained. These pets love to play with tunnels, mazes and specially designed Hedgehog wheels. A simple toilet paper tube can make a good toy and you'll probably find your new pet sticking its head inside and running madly around the floor.
Hedgehogs can be fed a good quality dry cat food, or formulated Hedgehog feed. They don't bark, climb curtains, or chew on furniture. People that are normally allergic to cats and dogs are rarely allergic to Hedgehogs.
With spines erect, your pet Hedgehog will feel somewhat like a rough scrub brush. The quills are not very sharp, do not have barbs, and can't be thrown like a porcupine. The Hedgehogs underbelly is covered in soft fur and these pets have very little odour as long as their pen is kept reasonably clean.
Hedgehogs have their own unique means of communication and your new pet will be heard softly purring and whistling in contentment, much like a cat. Some Hedgehogs snore and often sniff, snort, and chirp while in dreamland.
Overall, pet Hedgehogs are quite amiable, non-aggressive and perfectly happy to be left alone. Dogs, cats, and even the pesky ferret are tolerated by the easy going Hedgehog. Health care needs are relatively easy to handle and common Hedgehog ailments such as obesity, quill loss, and tattered ears can be prevented through proper diet, exercise, and routine care.
Being timid creatures, it might take a while for your new Hedgehog to warm up to you. Be patient and give your pet regular attention. Before long, this shy little critter will become a truly devoted and loving friend.
Comments (4)
Niah9
Or maybe solar-powered hedgehogs, that need no food or water, they operate on sunlight.
I used to know a den of lions, that used whole hedgehogs as combs to groom their pet bears. Symbioticism, here I come.
One question: All the pets I owned liked to sleep on their stomachs, sides, backs. (Even my aquarium fish, past their deadline.) If this hedgehog you are pushing is sleeping on my lap, all of a sudden flops over to his back... won't that hurt? Am I liable to scream in agony and fling the hapless hedghog across the room, out into the yard, to reunite with his beloved hedges? Or do tamed hedgehogs find hedges to be dredges?
In all, ladies and gentlemen, I am not sold on the hedgehog-as-a-pet idea. I mean, it can sleep in my lap, and that's about the size of it, if I read you right. Well. Hoopla hoo.
I want more excitement out of my pet, for my money. I want it to jump through flaming hoops, I want it to dance the foxtrot, I want it to speak several languages and have passed O-level Geography exams. I won't budge until I can go into any pet store, with pride and with dignity, and ask for a hedgehog who can sign complicated insurance forms and sing "La Traviata" in at least two keys.
It can have fun with a toilet-roll core? And you call THAT intelligent?
J. Murphy. Can I interest you in my boy? He is a total genius. He can count up to twenty. I'll swap him for a hedgehog of yours that without prodding cleans the chimney and the air ducts on a regular schedule.