By Deborah Simson   

This past February, I participated in the Humane Society of Broward County's annual walk for the animals. I have participated in this event every year for the past eight years, usually walking without an animal since my dog does not enjoy the company of other dogs. This year I decided to bring along my oldest hedgehog, Hootie. Hootie was an African Pygmy hedgehog, an exotic pet gaining popularity. Many of the fellow "walkers" were quite curious about Hootie. Some thought he was a porcupine, others thought he was some form of rodent. He is neither: hedgehogs are mammals that are in the insectivore order. They are closely related to the anteater, more so than the porcupine. I have often been asked what kind of pet they actually make. Due to their quills, they do not appear cuddly. On the contrary, when hedgehogs are handled on a frequent basis, they become very tame and can easily be handled. When the hedgehog is comfortable, the quills lay in a flat position, which makes them quite easily handled. The African Pygmy hedgehog is the most common hedgehog kept as pets. They live five to eight years, but can live up to 10 years of age. They make excellent pets for those who are unable to have pets. Because they can be kept in a small space, are very quiet and really have no odor, they make ideal apartment pets. Any potential owners should consider, however, that hedgehogs are nocturnal (night) animals. This would mean they are more receptive to being held and interacted with during the evening. When you make the decision to purchase a hedgehog, make sure you have a good cage set up with food and a tunnel or nesting box for the hedgehog to sleep in during the day. They are burrowing animals by nature so they prefer to "hide" when sleeping. There are many commercial hedgehog diets on the market, but remember that in the wild hedgehogs eat mainly insects and not grains. So, if you find a diet with seeds or grains, such as oats, in it, the diet will not be adequate. I use a diet made by Reliable Protein Products, which has created a diet just for insectivores. I supplement this diet with a hard kibble made by Pretty Birds, Intl. to help with chewing. Treats that my hedgehogs would get on an occasional basis would be mealworms, cottage cheese, egg and chicken baby food. I get the Reliable Protein diet from my vet who deals with exotics, Dr. Keliher, in Coconut Creek, or sometimes online at Pawprint.com. The Pretty Birds diet can be obtained at many pet stores. I usually feed my hedgehogs at dinner time when they become active. Each feeding they receive about a tablespoon to a tablespoon and a half of whichever food I am feeding that night. The cage should be the size intended for a guinea pig, since that is about the size of a fully grown hedgehog. I do not use wood shavings in my cages as litter due to the toxicity sometimes associated with these types of litter and small animals. Instead, I use a product called Care Fresh, a recycled newspaper litter that is flaky instead of pelleted, making it easier for the hedgehog to burrow in. My hedgehogs have ceramic bowls, which are harder for them to move. Hedgehogs are very curious and like to move objects around looking for bugs, so the ceramic bowls are less likely to be tipped over. I usually do a thorough cage cleaning weekly and spot clean during the week. For the most part, hedgehogs are medically sound animals. Proper nutrition and clean hygiene should keep them that way. Obesity, dental problems and tumors are their most common medical problems. Obesity and dental problems can be prevented. Regulate the amount of food your hedgehog eats and the amount of exercise it receives and obesity should be avoidable. Dental care involves dealing with veterinarians who usually work on dogs and cats and have never even seen a hedgehog. You may need to consult with an exotic vet if you have a real complex case. An exotic vet would already be familiar with what medications could be used and at what dosages. I have greatly enjoyed having my hedgehogs in my life. Hootie passed away this past May at the age of 5. He was my introduction to hedgehogs and will greatly be missed. However, a new boy entered my life on June 21. Harry is now several weeks old. He will probably be walking for the animals next February in place of Hootie in order to raise more curiosity about this fun and interesting exotic pet. -Deborah Simson is the office manager at The Animal Clinic of Woodmont and also has a pet sitting business. Between working for the animal clinic; her pet sitting business and the pets of her own, she has been exposed and has experience with many species of animals.

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