Are Hedgehogs Hypoallergenic?

By Author: michael smith
Total Articles: 5
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Hedgehogs - Description
There exist 4 genera and 14 species of Hedgehogs: European, Long-Eared, Desert Hedgehogs, and, also Moon Rat. The common pet species is the African Pygmy Hedgehog, the descendant of the White-bellied and the Algerian Hedgehogs, both native to Africa.
The domestic Hedgehogs come in a great variety of colors. They can be salt and pepper, gray, chocolate, brown, cinnamon, champagne, apricot, pale apricot, silver, charcoal, platinum, white, and albino.
Hedgehogs - Predators
Hedgehogs have many predators, such as birds of prey, foxes, jackals, and wild dogs. They have to penetrate the spines of the Hedgehog. Besides lots of Hedgehogs are killed on roadways and suffer of various chemicals. Wild populations of Hedgehogs have been depleted in many parts of the world.
Hedgehogs - Diet
In the wild Hedgehogs eat small birds, eggs, mice, lizards, snakes, fruit, roots, nuts, and etc. There seems to be no limit to what a Hedgehog will eat. Breeders are still guessing about what the right food for Hedgehogs in captivity is. They eat chicken breast meat, raw and cooked fruit and vegetables, ...
... green grass, mealworms, crickets.
Insects should be the major part of the Hedgehogs' diet, not just a treat. It's advisable to buy insects, such as mealworms, waxworms, large crickets, and etc. But never feed your Hedgehog wild caught insects, as they can carry parasites, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. There exist many kinds of commercially prepared food for Hedgehogs or dry cat formulas. The food should be offered for 15 minutes and then removed. Pay attention that fresh water is always available.
Hedgehogs - Caring
Hedgehogs require secure cages with a top. Being good climbers, they can escape from open-topped cages for guinea pigs. The cage should be situated in a warm, well-lit area, without drafts and direct sunlight. In the cage there should be accessories: bedding, food bowl, water bottle, hiding place, litter box, various toys.
New Hedgehogs, especially babies, should have absolute privacy for several days, before they begin to feel at home. For the first time hold the Hedgehog in your warm cloth to allow it to become familiar with your scent. Place its cage in a moderately trafficked area of the house to get the Hedgehog used to the sounds of humans.
Check to see if your room is Hedgehog-proof. It shouldn't have gaps behind the furniture; sofa beds are particularly dangerous and should be secured. To find an escaped Hedgehog place several dishes with food under paper bags, which will make a rustle, when being investigated. Owning a Hedgehog requires great patience; you should prove yourself to be a friend.
Hedgehogs as Pets
Hedgehogs are really wild animals, but as time passed by, their domestication has then been normal. Remember to consult a veterinarian first or a certified breeder before really getting one because there are certain species of this animal that are much better as pets than the others. Of course, you need advice from people who know stuff because getting a pet is indeed a big responsibility on your part. Also another important thing is to make sure that it’s legal in your state to have pet hedgehogs because there are places which actually forbid it.
There are a total of 14 hedgehog species, but only some are good for domestication. Three of them are very common to pet lovers: African Pygmy Hedgehog, Egyptian long-eared hedgehog, and Indian long-eared hedgehog.
• African Pygmy Hedgehog
This is the smallest of all the hedgehog species. It’s also called as the four-toed hedgehog. Moreover, its body can reach for about five to eight inches long as well as weigh from around ½ to 1 ½ pounds. Additionally, their life expectancy is about three to six years.
• Egyptian long-eared hedgehog
This one isn’t typically domesticated, so having this as a pet hedgehog may not be a good idea for newbie owners. This small animal with long ears can reach for about seven to ten inches long. At the same time, it’s distinguished from the other hedgehogs by its light brown banded quills with white tips.
• Indian long-eared hedgehog
This is a small hedgehog that can weigh from around 200-500 grams.
Is a Hedgehog Hypoallergenic?
According to Science Daily, the term “hypoallergenic” pertains to the characteristic of provoking fewer allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. For this reason, you have to bear in mind that an animal being hypoallergenic doesn’t totally mean that it won’t trigger your allergies. On the other hand, it actually means that these animals just have a little less tendency to induce those reactions compared to others who aren’t hypoallergenic.
With that being loud and clear as the sun, let’s now move on to the important question: Are hedgehogs hypoallergenic? The short and simple answer is yes, they are. Hedgehogs produce just a little amount of dander which is actually the thing that cause animal allergies. At the same time, and also just like what was mentioned above, their quills don’t detach from their body easily. So it’s really unlikely to be in full and direct contact with a hedgehog’s dander.
You canknow more about hedgehog here https://hypoallergenicpetbreeds.com/all-things-to-know-about-pet-hedgehogs/. Hopw you have liked the article and got information. Thanks
Michael Smith