Experts from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Belgrade conducted a study to determine what mistakes owners of African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) make in the process of their care.
Researchers emphasize that there are no regulations in Serbia governing the keeping of dwarf hedgehogs as pets. Such an animal can be legally purchased for just 100 euros.
Opponents of keeping these exotic pets at home argue that they are not domesticated, and specific conditions are required for their captivity, which owners are often unaware of. “Many exotic pet owners lack the necessary knowledge to meet these requirements. As a result, exotic pets are often kept in unsuitable conditions to which they cannot adapt. All of this can threaten the well-being of exotic animals,” the authors of the study believe.
Furthermore, many dwarf hedgehog owners are unaware of problems with their pets until they die.
The study involved 146 dwarf hedgehog owners. They were divided into three groups based on the source of information about pet care. The first group included those who consulted veterinarians. The second group consisted of owners who received advice from other hedgehog owners and breeders. The third group comprised those who sought information online. The third group turned out to be the largest—45%, while the first group included 22% of the owners.
More than half of the respondents fed their pets commercial food. This type of diet was more commonly chosen by those owners who consulted veterinarians. Owners in the first group approached pet care more responsibly: they interacted with their pets more often, cleaned the cage daily, and regularly took the animal for preventive check-ups at the veterinary clinic. In contrast, owners who sourced information from the internet cared for their hedgehogs the least.
Two-thirds of the survey participants reported that their hedgehogs lived in cages measuring up to half a meter. A “secret hideaway” where the animal could take shelter was absent in 84% of cases, although these animals require a hiding place. Researchers also noted a lack of activity resources for the pet, such as a wheel—17% of cases lacked such devices. Scientists emphasize that for hedgehogs to thrive, they should be allowed to run around, yet this condition was also not met by many exotic pet owners.
Researchers concluded that the best conditions for keeping exotic hedgehogs were created by owners who consulted veterinarians.
The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Journal of Veterinary Behavior.
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