Hedgehogs as Christmas Gifts

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas time is a wonderful time full of joy, excitement and wonder. We have a lot of requests around Christmas time for hedgehogs for Christmas presents. As parents, we always want our children to have the best Christmas and want to watch their eyes glow in excitement as they open up that perfect gift they've been dreaming of. (As a mom of 3 I have been there and that joyful look on their little faces means more to me than receiving gifts myself!)
We do sell hedgehogs as gifts, but please be mindful of the person receiving the hedgehog. Ask yourself:

• Are they going to be responsible enough to take care of their hedgehog for their entire lifetime (which on average is 4-6 years)?
• Does the person have an adequate cage setup and able to keep them warm at all times? (Hedgehogs MUST be housed at at least 70 degrees).
• Has the person researched owning a hedgehog and do they have a basic understanding of their care needs?
• If it is a gift for a younger person, are you willing to help clean the cage and assist in taking care of them when necessary?
• Can the person receiving the hedgehog afford to provide for it and pay for veterinary care when necessary?
• Can the person receiving the hedgehog devote at least 20 minutes a day socializing the hedgehog? (This can be as simple as taking the hedgehog out and watching tv with it or letting it roam around in a playpen).

I am not trying to deter anyone from giving someone a hedgehog as a gift, but hedgehogs DO feel stress just like humans do. Hedgehogs that are repeatedly re-homed usually are more shy because of how stressful it is to constantly have to readjust to a new home, new people, and a new environment. (*We do realize that sometimes life events occur that may force you to rehome your hedgehog, but it is important to research any animal BEFORE adopting it.)
If you're on the fence about adopting a hedgehog yourself or adopting a hedgehog to give as a gift, please take a few moments to browse our site for care information. I am ALWAYS willing to answer any questions you may have before and after you adopt a baby from us!