Hedgehog Pets
Since they have been domesticated in the past few years, somewhere in the 1980s, they still have their wild instincts such as predator fear. This fear also makes them fear humans. Therefore, it is highly recommended to buy hedgehog pets which have been bred in captivity and has been bred by an experienced breeder. Because of the domestication, hedgehogs have been developing new colors which have resulted in pinto and albino hedgehogs.
They are nocturnal animals. In the wild they do not hibernate in the winter, but in captivity, they hibernate if the body temperature lowers drastically. This is an extremely dangerous situation. Their bodies are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. The temperature of the surroundings should be 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
The natural hedgehogs habitat are insectivorous and hedgehogs food is mostly insects. They are also opportunistic feeders and can become obese easily. Their body is designed to extract chitin which is within the insect’s exoskeleton. Chitin can also be substituted by fiber. In captivity, hedgehogs food can be cat food which is low in fat and high in proteins. The fat content should be less than 12%, protein content must be more than 30% and fiber should be more than 10%. The owners are advised to read the nutritional facts and to give hedgehogs food rich in proteins and not carbohydrates. Cat food made out of meat and its byproducts are also recommended. Chicken food also can be given as hedgehogs food.
Hedgehogs food can also be supplemented by vegetables, fruits, unseasoned cooked meat, mealworms, crickets, and wax worms. Commercial food is also prepared specifically for hedgehogs which have insect components in them. Chitin sprinklers are also available which can be sprinkled on food. Baby food can be given as treats. Sugar shouldn’t be added in any of the meals for a hedgehog. They can also be given insects directly, but care should be taken that these insects shouldn’t be sprayed with insecticides. Hedgehogs can put on weight easily and if this is the case, fat should be cut down and exercise activity should be increased. Exercise is also important to keep them from having liver problems.
They can be kept in cages. In hedgehogs habitat naturally, they travel very long distances everyday, so they should be provided with ample room for this purpose. A room or an isolated corner is a must; otherwise the pet will develop eating and sleeping disorders. The cage should be approximately 5 feet in both length and breadth. Multilevel cages give them extra space to walk. But care should be taken because hedgehogs have poor eyesight. They can climb easily, but they can fall while descending. Wheel, specifically bucket type wheels, should also be included so as to encourage them to exercise. Tubes such as toilet paper cylinders can also be kept inside the cage for them to play. Their bed should be made out of vellux blanket material. They can also be mingled with other pets such as dogs and cats.
In most of the countries, it is illegal to have hedgehog pets unless a license has been taken out to own them. The permit can somtimes be difficult to obtain. Hedgehog lovers can communicate with the animal control agencies to keep them as pets. There are no laws in Europe against domesticating or breeding hedgehogs. In some countries, it is strictly against the law to keep hedgehog pets. And in some countries, specific species of hedgehogs are allowed to be kept as pets. People are not prone to develop allergies directly from hedgehogs, but they can develop allergies from their bedding and food.
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Animal Characteristics, Operant Conditioning and Training a Pet
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Cat Delcaw Alternatives
Choosing an In Home Pet Sitter
Dog Shows
Domestic Aquarium Fish Keeping
Finding Lost Pets
Hedgehog Pets
How Dogs Communicate
Selecting a Vet for Your Pet
Insurance for Pets
Intestinal Blockages in Pets Caused by Foreign Objects
Keeping Cats for Pets
Leash Training Tips for Your Pets
Maintaining Goldfish
Mellowing Down a Wild Pet
Pet Crate Training
Pet Passport and Pets
Pet Training and Classical Conditioning
Pets for Seniors and Pets for People with Disabilities
Problems Faced During Litter Box Training
Raising Peafowl as Pets
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