Hedgehog vs. Guinea Pig?

Wheat is not good for hedgehogs so I would not recommend that bedding. Contrary to most people's logic wheat is not nearly as digestible for a majority of animals than pet labels claim. I go out of my way to buy cat food not containing wheat because it only promotes obesity and poor health in hedgehogs. Not to mention that stuff is WAY more expensive than aspen when buying the big bag of aspen ($12 for 6 enclosures in my experience, but I use the large storage containers and not C&C cages). Fleece in my experience is messy and needs to be changed daily (I also don't like washing them with my clothing so that's an entire load for a couple fleece sheets).

No balls, just no. Drilling holes would still allow their toes to get caught and aside from safety, most hedgehogs don't like them. Just imagine, an animal that generally poops and pees when they run being forced to be surrounded by that the entire duration of the run... If you provide a running wheel for nights they will generally be fine hanging out in your lap or on the couch during the early evening. Even then, leaving an animal unattended while in a ball isn't safe and I don't think you'd leave it unattended, but it's no more safe in a ball than out roaming. They don't chew so no fears of chewing a cord and electrocuting themselves. They have quills, which do a pretty good job of defending themselves. They don't see well so it's important if you do let them roam it's in an area that is not multileveled or they could hurt themselves. If you really want to control how far they get, but let them roam, get them a plastic kiddie pool that's larger than their enclosure, but small enough to fit in whatever room you're in. They are easy to clean, easy to carry, and most hedgehogs can't easily climb out of the large ones.

Kendall is right, hedgehogs really do require more care than any rodents and they in all seriousness have no similar needs or interested. By in large hedgehogs are solitary and while most will tolerate being handled, most don't actively play with their owner. You can teach them tricks (like mice or rats, which are very intelligent) and even their enclosures are different (needing a solid wheel to run-not wired, and not being chewers). They don't do well in cold and need to be kept above 70F at all times, but 74-78 is best. They are allergic to tea tree oils (commonly found in natural cleaning supplies and stress relief beauty supplies). They also hate tobacco and will generally bite people who smoke, but love garlic and sometimes lick until nibbling on people who either eat A LOT or have recently cooked with garlic.

For a good website I recommend this place, it's got a lot of great info - http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/...Show more

If you get guinea pig get 2 they are social animals and will most likely develop neurotic tendencies due to being housed alone...Show more

I agree with the other responses too but on top of that hedge hogs are considered exotic pets and do take more money and time to maintain a reasonable habitat for them....Show more

Guinea pigs are good pets they are soft and don't stink (that's just a rumor) they don't eat alought And they are less costly. And they don't bite!...Show more