Not that we're biased or anything (wink wink), but out of all the pets we've had, hedgehogs are darn cool pets to own! It's not like we've had experience with only a limited number of pets either. Here's the list of pets we've had for comparison: dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, turtles, hermit crabs, salt water and fresh water fish, parakeets, love birds, cockatiels, ants (yes, you read that right), ferrets, sugar gliders, and…our all time favorite….hedgehogs. Whew! That was a pretty long list.
Obviously each pet has its pros and cons (including hedgehogs). But when you stop and consider each of these pets, what it takes to care for them, and how they emotionally benefit you, hedgehogs are by far the coolest in our book. Many of the listed pets give you zero interaction. Try petting a hermit crab, turtle, fish or ants. Nope! Not happening! Ferrets…too stinky. Sugar gliders…too wily. Any pet in the rodent family…meh, boring. Birds…too flighty (all puns intended). Dogs and cats get an honorable mention, but they shed an awful lot of fur! So let's dive into a close-up look at hedgehogs.
What Makes Hedgehogs Cool Pets To Own ?
For starters, hedgehogs are pretty low maintenance in comparison to other pets. Every pet has its own dietary needs, care and stimulation requirements. In fact some pets require constant interaction with their owner. Not the hedgehog! That's not to say that you should only feed it, change it's litter, and bathe it now and again. If you want your hedgehog to interact with you, then you're going to have to make an effort at bonding with it to have a relationship. We fully admit that hedgehogs aren't for everyone….but we think they're totally worth it!
Also, hedgehogs make the cuteness meter go way off the chart. We have yet to meet anyone who thought hedgehogs weren't cute. Just look at the picture above and tell me your heart doesn't melt at that adorable face. From their little snouts to their tiny ears, all the way to the little stub of a tail that makes you just want to pinch it…they are pure cuteness overload. Everyone just ooohs and ahhhhs over them when you break out your little conversation starter.
And taking them out with you is easy peasy. In a previous article, we even suggested the perfect bag for their comfort and your covert operation. Quilly has been a willing stow-away on outings to the grocery store, restaurants, and movies. As long as he stays tucked away, then no harm has been done and it's our little secret. Shhhhh! We won't tell if you don't!
Other Things That Make Hedgehogs Great Pets
Most hedgehogs don't make a peep. Aside from the faint sound of them scratching at litter, you barely know they're there. If you don't like hearing barking or mewing, you'll find that hedgehogs are quietly cool pets to own. If you get a wheel that doesn't make noise when they run, all the quieter. And if you're a night owl, the two of you can chill together while everyone else is sleeping.
When it comes to being unique pets, we (and many others) think that hedgies are at the top of the list. They're so comical in their antics and mannerisms. One second they're hissing at you and the next minute they're snuggling against you. The snuggles usually don't come immediately. With most hedgehogs, you have to earn their trust before they will give you those snuggles, but it's worth it!
I think hedgehogs are an interesting and unique pet. They really teach you patience and understanding because they don’t fit into that “cuddly sweet pet” box. But you do get moments of love and so much cuteness, that being a hedgie parent is worth it.
~Jen Hartman
Hedgehogs make amazing pets because gaining their trust and love made me so happy and seeing her happy with an amazing life I can give her makes my life more fulfilling.
~Emily Birish
Closing Thoughts About Hedgehogs as Cool Pets To Own
When asked what they believe makes hedgies cool pets to own, many of the members in the hedgehog community stated varying reasons. Some said that their hedgehogs taught them patience and compassion. Others elaborated that along the road to patience, came love. Hedgehogs have a sneaky way of burrowing into our hearts, creating a special bond, and ultimately making our lives more fulfilled. Their skittish demeanor forces us to evaluate our approach toward them to earn their trust. Because of that, we develop a deeper bond than we do with many other types of pets. Once we've earned their trust and we look at their adorable faces, their cuteness just makes our hearts melt. Whatever it is that brings out the best in you, a hedgehog can bring to the surface. This is one of the many reasons why we feel that hedgehogs are pretty darn cool pets to own!
As if that wasn't reason enough, while writing this article, we reached out to multiple hedgehog groups. We asked if they would contribute their favorite picture of their hedgehog for our collage and give a reason why hedgehogs make cool pets. Over 200 hedgehog owners rose to help. It was a response that was so overwhelming that it honestly made us teary-eyed. So if you ever decide to take on hedgehog ownership, just know that you'll be in great company with a community of loving hedgie owners. We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone that contributed. Although there wasn't space on the collage to show every single hedgie picture that was donated, we'll be showing off your quill babies as we can in future articles and possibly a gallery. Thank you so much everyone!
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