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Reasons NOT to Own a Hedgehog

Many people purchase hedgehogs because they are cute. Then, after a short time, they find that they do not want the hedgehog. To avoid the bother of having an unwanted hedgehog, consider the following:

Don't get a hedgehog because it is cute
If you look at a hedgehog and only see it as cute, you probably do not need a hedgehog. Hedgehogs are a responsibility. You must continually feed and clean your hedgehog and all of its living area. It is a lot of work.
Hedgehogs will not play fetch
If you want a friend to play games with, a hedgehog is not a good choice. Hedgehogs like to eat and run. In general, they are not interested in playing fetch or cuddling up with you. A dog is a better choice for playing games.
Hedgehogs bite
Hedgehogs have sharp teeth and will bite. Because they cannot talk, they will huff and puff to let you know they are upset. If you ignore this, they will bite. Even if a hedgehog knows that you are a "safe" person, it may still bite under many circumstances.
Hedgehogs live three to five years
The average pet hedgehog will live three to five years. If you are looking for a friend to keep for ten to fifteen years, a hedgehog is not a good choice.

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