Category: Animal House
People, I really want a hedgehog. Has anyone ever had one as a pet or known of people who have? Do they get along with small super-intelligent dogs?
I thought a hedgehog was a porcupine? They have quills that if they enter your dog's nose, or your face or whoever, are very difficult to remove. The quill is ejected by the porcupine and shot into the target. Attempts to remove it are hampered because they are barbed with the barbs pointing backwards like miniature fishhooks.
Why would you want one of these?
Hedgehogs are much much smaller than porcupines, and from my limited handling of and knowledge of them, their quills are neither barbed nor ejectable in the same way. They're stiff, prickly and will hurt if the dog gets his nose too close, but they wouldn't require a vet visit under normal circumstances.
They're semi-common small pets, like chinchillas and guinea pigs. All I can say is this. Remember that your hedgehog is a prey animal and will get nervous if your small dog is going to bother him too much. The dog probably has good intentions, thinks it's a ball, wants to chase it, but the hedgehog wouldn't know that.
I honestly suggest having a good look before doing this. You're not likely to end up with a grievously wounded dog or a dead hedgehog, but there are experts who'd know way more about this than I do. I have encountered hedgehogs a couple of times in my life. For us blind folk, they're interesting but they don't exactly make wonderful pets, if only because they're fairly nocturnal, don't make a lot of noise, aren't exactly ideal for petting and stroking and aren't exactly as social as, say, rats and the like.
Whatever you find out or whatever you decide, good luck.
yes I've not had any as a pet though I've met a few and the last one we had round here liked the cat food and after a while it started making this noise which i'm unable to describe but I must have to say that stroking the quills of the hedgehog didn't feel as good as like patting cats fur.
Sadly the hedgehog died as it had a cut on its head which we think was caused by another animal though not sure which and its quills didn't look to flash either but i'm not trying to put you off in any way but best you look more into this before making your decision.
I wish you all the luck and it will be interesting to hear how you get on so let us know, thanks.
My sisters and I had pet hedgehogs in high school. SW is right: they are not quite like porcupines. Their quills are not barbed, and they can't project them. If the hedgehog is relaxed and you pet in the direction the quills go, they have an interesting texture. But if the animal doesn't want to be handled or gets nervous and curls up, the quills do become pretty sharp. I personally would not have them around a small dog, but that's just me.
yes there quills can hurt as I have been pricked by a hedgehog a couple of times but luckly no serious injuries were caused because of it