What happens if you pet a hedgehog?

Hedgehogs can seem healthy, but they can transmit bacteria like Salmonella or Mycobacteria to their owners. One large Salmonella outbreak was traced back to a pet African pygmy hedgehog.

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Is it OK to pet a hedgehog?

Tell everyone you know: Hedgehogs are not “pets.” Never buy a hedgehog or any other animal. If you're ready to open your heart and home to a companion animal, open-admission shelters are the first and best place to look. So many dogs, cats, rabbits, and other companion animals are just waiting for a good home.

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Is it OK to touch a hedgehog?

Hedgehogs can be handled (they are not too prickly), although some patience is required to make sure your hedgehog is both safe and comfortable in your hands.

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What would happen if I touched a hedgehog?

Always wear gloves if you have to handle a hedgehog, as they can carry diseases like ringworm and salmonella bacteria which can be passed to humans. Don't handle the hedgehog any more than you need to because contact with humans will be stressful for them.

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Can you have a hedgehog as a pet in Australia?

However, the species is prohibited throughout Australia for a number of reasons including its potential to introduce exotic animal diseases and because the species has the ability to become a serious invasive pest in Australia.

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Pros and Cons of Hedgehogs as Pets

39 related questions found

What pets are legal in Australia?

Currently only dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and selected species of birds from approved countries may be imported as pets and only when strict conditions are met. No other vertebrate animals are approved for import into Australia as pets.

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Can you hug a hedgehog?

It depends on the personality of the individual hedgehog and how much handling the hedgehog has had in the past. Some hedgehogs do seem to like to snuggle up to their human companions, while others might be shyer or simply prefer exploring and moving about over sitting still and cuddling.

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Is it safe to kiss a hedgehog?

Kissing or hugging hedgehogs can spread Salmonella germs to the face, the CDC warns.

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Is it OK to kiss a hedgehog?

“Don't kiss or snuggle hedgehogs because this can spread salmonella germs to your face and mouth and make you sick,” the agency warned. No deaths have been reported and one person has been hospitalized, the C.D.C. said.

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Do hedgehogs get attached to humans?

Some hedgehogs will bond to their owners for life (HHC). Bonding does require effort, persistence, and an understanding of hedgehogs. Many hedgehogs don't like to be petted by just anyone until they are completely comfortable with their environment. This is especially important when a hedgehog goes to a new home.

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Do hedgehogs like being stroked?

Places some hedgehogs like to be scratched include: their ears, chin, along the edge of their quill line or skirt, belly fur or feet. protective of its feet.

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Do hedgehogs hurt when they bite?

Although hedgehogs do bite, their tiny teeth are unlikely to cause you very much pain. The force of a hedgehog bite is typically linked to what your pet is feeling. An angry hedgehog could cause a bite that hurts a bit.

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Do hedgehog bites hurt?

How bad does it hurt? Hedgehogs have fairly small teeth designed to crunch insects. They do not have the typical rodent incisors or the large carnivore canines. The typical bite won't feel good but won't cause excruciating pain either.

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How long do pet hedgehogs live?

Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.

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Are hedgehogs harmless to humans?

Hedgehogs are not typically aggressive towards people. They are somewhat anti-social and are generally happy to be left alone. However, they will typically “ball up” if people get too close, rather than bite or attack.

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Can you befriend a hedgehog?

Taming is the process of training your hedgehog to feel comfortable around you. Fortunately, there are lots of ways you can win your hedgehog's trust and affection, like getting it used to your smell, giving it treats, and avoiding things that will scare it off.

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How cuddly are hedgehogs?

In the wild, hedgehogs are solitary animals and they spend most of their time alone except during mating season. They tend to be shy and wary of people. It takes patience and a gentle hand to form a trusting bond with a pet hedgehog. Once a bond is established hedgehogs can be quite playful and occasionally cuddly.

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Will a hedgehog spike you?

Hedgehogs will generally try to run away from people or if shocked will curl up in to a spiky ball. They have sharp needles all over their backs which can penetrate the skin. It will often itch if a needle does and may cause a rash.

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Why does my hedgehog lick me then bite me?

The most common reason that hedgehogs bite is because there is something on your hands that smells yummy and they want a taste. In this case, they will often lick first and the bite is more of a nip.

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Do hedgehogs carry monkeypox?

Mpox virus can infect a wide range of mammal species, including monkeys, anteaters, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, squirrels, and shrews. We are still learning which species of animals can get mpox.

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What happens if a hedgehog bites me?

They can carry diseases such as Yersinia (the plague), hemorrhagic fever, and Mycobacterium, but these are rare in pet hedgehogs, so the risk is rare. Just like any animal bite, there is a risk of bacterial infection of the wound, as the hedgehog's mouth is not a clean place.

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What does petting a hedgehog feel like?

Petting a happy hedgehog is a bit like affectionately stroking a bristly hairbrush.

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Is it okay to scruff a hedgehog?

Very tame hedgehogs may tolerate scruffing: Gently stroke the hedgehog's back, front to back. After several strokes, gently grasp the skin over the dorsum (Figure 8). Less tame hedgehogs may need to be handled with leather gloves or a heavy towel; some will require anesthesia for proper evaluation.

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Are hedgehogs a rodent?

Shrews, moles and hedgehogs are also not rodents; they are classified in the Mammal order Eulipotyphla.)

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