Thinking About Getting a Pet Hedgehog? Here's What You Need to Know

"Hedgehogs need a lot of socialisation," Laurie Hess, DVM, owner and director of Veterinary Centre for Birds and Exotics explained. "If you want to have a hedgehog that you can handle and hold, you have to invest time into them. At least an hour a day. Handle them a lot and let them get to know your scent and their environment."

Katy Nelson, DVM, senior veterinarian at Chewy, agrees, "Hedgehogs should be taken out of their cages daily and allowed to have exercise in a supervised area."

"One thing people may not realise is that hedgehogs are nocturnal, and they like to run on wheels," said Dr. Hess. "If you are a light sleeper you may want to consider this." She also went on to stress how important it is for hedgehogs to receive adequate exercise, emphasising that they gain weight easily and exercise can help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Nelson explained that what kind of wheel you purchase also matters. "The wheel should have a solid floor rather than wired to prevent entrapment of the feet," she said.

You may want to scale back your dreams of a giant hedgehog family down to just one of these little critters. "Hedgehogs do better housed individually," Dr. Nelson explained. That being said, she went on to say that, "If you have two, make sure they are both female. They reproduce very quickly if opposite sex hedgehogs are housed together. Male hedgehogs are not likely to accept another male into their environment."

All pets are a financial commitment. Exotics, however, can come with a bigger price tag. Hedgehogs don't do well in extreme temperatures, Dr. Hess explained — they actually prefer temps in the 70s. So you may have to purchase a heating unit to help warm your hedgehog up, or keep the air conditioner going if you live in a hot climate. Dr. Hess also explained that owners should plan to bring their hedgehog for veterinary check-ups often, that often come with extra fees. "Because they're prone to curling up we often have to sedate hedgehogs — even just trimming their nails is a big deal," she said.

While they are now legal in most of the United States, hedgehogs are still considered illegal pets in California, Georgia, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and the five boroughs of New York City. It's also worth noting that some states, such as New Jersey or Wisconsin, may require a special permit to own a pet hedgehog.

Hedgehogs can be carriers of the bacteria salmonella, which is why it's very important to always wash your hands after handling a hedgehog, Dr. Hess told POPSUGAR. It's for this reason that she also advises families with young children, who are more prone to putting their hands in their mouth, against pet hedgehogs.

Dr. Nelson echoed the sentiment. "As with any pet, education and preparation is key." She said hedgehogs are best suited for "pet owners who are willing to wash their hands carefully."

"They do something weird called self anointing," Dr. Hess explained. "This is when they make spit balls and throw them on their environment." And while there are numerous commercial hedgehog diet foods on the market, insects are still a part of the menu. "Mealworms and crickets can also be provided as treats for enrichment," Dr. Nelson told POPSUGAR. Needless to say, you may want to consider whether or not you'll be able to stomach this before running out to get a hog.