Are Hedgehogs Good Pets For Kids

Pets with sharp quills like hedgehogs will also pose a threat.

Are hedgehogs good pets for kids. They might be okay for some older kids or teenagers but i would still recommend going with another type of pet. Younger children should probably not handle hedgehogs at all. Overall hedgehogs are relatively inexpensive to maintain as pets. Whichever pet you choose make sure to get it from a reputable source that can attest to its health.

It s too easy for a child to overreact at the unexpected stick of a quill and both the child and your pet could suffer harm. My 3 children would agree that they are something different fun and entertaining. It will all depend on the children in question and how their parents educate them. But hedgehogs are not meant for everyone.

Large birds like parrots are too much work and pose a potential hazard to kids as they use strong sharp beaks to explore. Naturally curious hedgehogs often become tame and seem to enjoy being handled by their owners. Unfortunately there s a dark side to hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are hypoallergenic the fact that hedgehogs are hypoallergenic makes them an even more appealing pet for children.

Most north american pet hedgehogs typically called african pygmy hedgehogs were bredfrom african species and are considered domesticated. Hedgehogs are not hamsters or guinea pigs. Allergies are extremely common in children and buying an animal for your child only to find out he or she is allergic to the animal is a heartbreaking ordeal. Hedgehogs typically cost 150 300 and the ongoing costs include bedding and food.

Any animal that is in pain is more likely to bite a child. However the spines aren t barbed like the quills of a porcupine and the hedgehog ball appears cute or humorous to human eyes. Since hedgehogs need to have time to dash around contact with your other pets might be unavoidable but it should be kept to a minimum. However generally speaking i would not recommend hedgehogs as pets for children.

Just like having a hamster as a pet for kids most of the cost will be upfront in purchasing the hedgehog and living arrangement. For younger kids they can make excellent pets with some guidance and understanding the importance of proper handwashing to prevent salmonella. However hedgehogs do make great pets and children take delight in them. They are extremely active in the wild they can climb swim and often run several miles each night regular hedgehog business hours.

They have quills that hurt when they poke you. These little animals can make terrific companions when housed and fed appropriately and their popularity appears to be increasing. African pygmy hedgehogs are small creatures and can easily be injured by rough handling.