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Typical costs: Hedgehogs range in price from $125-$250, depending on the hedgehog’s age, color, and temperament. Some breeders offer hedgehog starter kits for around $75 that include a cage, wheel, a hiding place, water bottle, feed bowl and food, and some shavings.
Do hedgehogs make good pets?
Hedgehogs can be a fun and low-maintenance pet for your household, but they do need some special care. They have sharp quills that can make handling difficult. Consistent and proper daily handling will help them relax and feel comfortable with you.
Can you buy a hedgehog at PetSmart?
You usually can’t find hedgehogs in the large chain stores like PetSmart, but many of the smaller independently owned pet stores have them. Check your local listings in your area and call the stores for availability.
Can a baby hedgehog be a pet?
Hedgehogs are solitary in the wild and do not need hedgehog companions in captivity. Like all animals, they have their own personalities and can be quite different. Hedgehogs typically do not bite but their quills are very sharp potentially making it a challenging pet for a young child.
Are hedgehogs expensive?
You are likely to find that a hedgehog costs upwards of $200 from a breeder. You may pay over $300 for more desirable or unusual color varieties of hedgehogs. Take the time to research any breeder you may purchase from to ensure they are reputable and breeding healthy animals.
Do hedgehogs bite?
However, you should try to use gloves when handling a hedgehog for your own health and safety. Hedgehogs can bite you, but very rarely will that happen. This usually happens when they are young and think your fingers are going to feed them (if they have been fed via a syringe as they had no mother).
What is the best small pet for a child?
According to the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 survey, the top eight small pets are rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice/rats, gerbils, chinchillas and ferrets. Here’s a quick review of each species’ child-friendly pet potential.
Are hedgehogs good pets for 11 year olds?
Hedgehogs. These spiny mammals may not make cuddly pets, but they’re cute, friendly, and relatively long-lived, with a lifespan of five to seven years. And if hedgehogs are handled while still young, they will grow to be social with your child.
Do hedgehogs stink?
There are many factors one must consider when buying a new pet and one of those is the smell of the animal. Luckily, hedgehogs are pretty odor-free. If you remove any environmental factors that might cause them to smell, you shouldn’t smell your hedgehog at all.
Do hedgehogs need a heat lamp?
Keeping your hedgehog warm is something that most owners know they need to do. They also know getting a heating lamp or heating pad should be a top priority before they bring their new pet home. From the best heat lamps and heating pads to foolproof backup options if you suffer a power outage, it’s all in here.
What is the cheapest hedgehog?
The cheapest hedgehogs will be either salt and pepper or cinnamon and “pinto” hedgies will be in the mid-price range. The most expensive hedgehogs will tend to be blonde, black or white. Breeders will tend to charge more than a pet store.
Can hedgehogs cuddle?
Some hedgehogs do seem to like to snuggle up to their human companions, while others might be shyer or simply prefer exploring and moving about over sitting still and cuddling.
What are cheap pets?
The Cheapest Pets to Own Hermit Crab. They may not the cuddliest option on the list, but hermit crabs can make for great pets if you’re looking for an inexpensive, low-maintenance and laid-back companion. Goldfish. Budgerigar. Leopard Gecko. Guinea Pig.
Do hedgehogs poop a lot?
Hedgehogs poop a lot. They poop all the time. Young hedgies are quite fond of pooping while doing their chores like while roaming around or playing on their wheel. But, as they grow older, they tend to hold much better and can be trained to litter in the right areas.
Do hedgehogs have fleas?
Hedgehogs can acquire external parasites; however flea infestation is not a common problem. Fleas are a small insect parasite that may take up residence on your hedgehog, especially if exposed to fleas outdoors or in a house with dogs, cats or other animals who themselves have fleas.
Do hedgehogs shoot quills?
When threatened, the hedgehog raises its quills upright in a crisscross pattern, making its body pointy and sharp. Just like your hair, a hedgehog’s quills can fall out or break off, but the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens.
What is a good starter pet for a 13 year old?
Other animal-care professionals promote birds or fish as ideal first pets for children. Guinea Pigs. Guinea pigs are social creatures, yet timid. Rats. Rats as pets tend to be misunderstood because of their wild kin. Hamsters. Hamster can be small or large in size. Gerbils. Mice. Leopard Geckos. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.
What is the best pet for a 11 year old kid?
Smaller mammals, including hamsters, guinea pigs, and gerbils, are relatively easy to raise. Also, most will thrive in a relatively small living space, and care is fairly straightforward. Except for hamsters, which are solitary, it’s best to obtain young same-sex pairs. Regular, gentle handling promotes friendliness.
What pet is best for a 12 year old?
The 9 best pets for kids — and how to choose one Cat. Rabbit. Guinea pig. Turtle. Bird. Lizard. Hamster. Hamsters are nocturnal so only night owls will really get to see this critter in action. Fish. Often regarded as the perfect first pet for kids, fish are fascinating family members to watch, no matter your age.
What is the most cuddly pet?
Which Animals Make the Most Loving and Affectionate Pets? Dogs. Cats. Pot-Bellied Pigs. Rabbits. Fancy Rats. Guinea Pigs. Horses. Cockatoos.
What is the easiest pet to have?
Turtles. The very essence of a turtle is to be cool, calm and collected, and maintaining them is just as easy. Tortoises. Much like turtles, tortoises are mostly noise-free and stay out of the way. Hamster. This one is probably an easy pick for the kids. Betta Fish. Guppies. Parakeets. Green Anole. Sea Monkeys.
What is a good pet for a 7 year old?
Parakeets (also called budgies) can be a good option when it comes to pets for kids. “They’re fairly low-maintenance, not super messy and don’t take up a lot of space,” says Dr. Hess. She explains that by the age of 7, children start to understand how to be gentle with pets and can actively engage in their bird’s care.