Buying Hedgehogs How to pick the best
What to Look For in a Healthy Hedgehog
Physical Characteristics
- A healthy hedgehog will be alert and aware. Sick hedgehogs will appear sluggish and have difficulty rolling into a ball.
- Clean! Fur should be clean, the quills should be clean, and then eyes should be clean and clear.
- Skin - Part the fur and quills to look at the skin. If you see any crustiness at the base of the quills this could be dry skin or mites. Check for fleas as well.
- Weight - Avoid a hedgehog that is noticeably overweight or underweight. Normal weight for a full grown African pygmy hedgehog is about one pound. Signs of excess weight include the inability to roll into a ball and bulging at the armpit areas. Underweight hedgehogs will have concave bellies and noticeably thin sides. Being underweight can be a sign of illness, parasites, or poor care.
- Feet - Check feet for overgrown nails. If nails have grown too long they will curve around and stab the feet leading to potentially expensive complications.
- Droppings - Check to make sure droppings are not runny, oddly colored, etc. A healthy stool should look just like a small dog dropping. Also check the anal area for matted fecal matter as this could also indicate health problems.
Environment of the Pet Store or Breeders Home
Check to make sure that your hedgehog is being keep well. Look for spacious - not over crowded cages. Do the animals look clean and healthy? Frequently pet stores (and sometimes breeders) can be guilty of selling pets that come from unhealthy breeding stock. Over breeding can increase the likelihood of genetic defects and diseases, which can be costly to treat.
Pet Store Vs Breeder
In general, a well kept hedgehog that comes from a breeder or rescue organization is simply more likely to be healthy, fed the right food, and well socialized. This is not to say you could not get a perfectly fine hedgehog from a pet store - however in general these animals do tend to receive poor quality care. Breeders and rescue groups are also more likely to provide ongoing support for the lifetime of your pet. Many breeders will even accept hedgehogs back if you are no longer able to care for them!
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