My 6 year old wants a pet...not a cat, dog, hamster, fish or bunny...a danged hedge hog! (I half expected a tiger or a hippo.) I don't think he is ready...what's a good pet to start him out on for a year before I move up to a hedgehog? And what kind of hedgehog info can you give me? I think they're pretty cute, but I've never met one or anyone who has one. I don't want to go into this blindly and have the little thing die or get sick because I was clueless.
2007-11-08 10:05:26 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
http://www.animalnetwork.com/critters/profiles/hedgehog/default.asp
2007-11-08 10:10:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hedgehogs are not great pets, especially for a young child. It's not like you can cuddle them, or even pick them up very easily! They are also INCREDIBLY messy - they poo all over the place, and if you don't clean the poo up within about an hour it sticks to whatever its on and is very hard to clean off! Bear in mind this is something you'll be doing, not your six year old......
They need to be fed catfood - canned and dry - they eat an incredible amount for their size, like as much as a cat. They also hibernate all through the winter, and they need to weigh at least 600g before they can do this.
I really think the best pet for a young kid, if not a cat or dog is a rat or a mouse. These are less likely to bite than hamsters and gerbils, really they are tamer. Maybe a guinea pig. Not really a rabbit - they're quite difficult really, and not the cute little fluffsters everyone thinks they are! Many are wriggly and bitey.
Not that I know your child but, judging by the majority of kids any pet you buy will need to be one you yourself are prepared to take sole responsibility for!
Chalice
2007-11-08 10:14:18 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a hedgehog and I abslolutely LOVE her, but I'd have to agree its not a good pet for a 6 year old. She's tough to handle. She likes my boyfriend much more than she likes me. He can pick her up no problem, but if I try, she curls into a ball and they really are stabby. You pretty much need pot holders to handle her! Some hedgehogs are a little more outgoing, but its typical for them to be huffy.
Rats make very good pets for kids. They tend to be easy to handle and don't bite if treated with respect.
2007-11-08 10:57:50 · answer #3 · answered by kittenslayer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT GET A HEDGEHOG!!!!!!!!!!!
They are hard to care for pets.
Your child might get pricked and never play with the hedgehog again sooo now YOU have to take care of him/her.
And if they get sick .........IT WILL COST A TON
Just a check-up is 60 somthing dollars.
And keeping it (cage,food ,the hedgehog itself) will BURN a hole in your pocket.
150$=Hedgehog
And you might end up with a bad Hedgehog (s/he might have a fatal,genetic diesease- Wobbly Leg Syndrome)
But I would say.....for now get gerbils or if he wants something bigger...guinea pigs
2007-11-08 10:52:30 · answer #4 · answered by K.c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they r really good pets but if she is thats age i would get her a rabbit . i have a rabit and i raised him and im sooo glad i didnt get a hamster or anything. plus even thought hedghogs r sweet when little kids play with them they might hurt because the have sharp needle things on there backs!
good luck!
2007-11-08 10:27:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋