Hi
Had cats and dogs as pets most of my life but since living on my own cannot own one as I live in a flat.. Just lately have had a great interest in mini pigs and hedgehogs (one or the other) and wondered if anyone has one. Could you tell me a bit about them-are they cuddly, etc etc. Thanks in advance

Don't know about hedgehogs, but the mini pigs would not be suitable for a flat. Same as any pig, they need access to a garden where they can root about like pigs do. There is also the issue of toilet training! I would doubt a litter tray would be suitable!

Pigs are sociable animals and should be kept as pairs minimum.

Mini pigs are ordinary pigs that have been selectively bred for their small size. It makes me wonder if that has been at the expense of anything else - such as health or temperament. Temperment in pigs in general range from lovely to evil. I wouldn't have thought they would be 'cuddly' though many pigs enjoy a good scratch and seem to enjoy human company.

Even though mini pigs are for the pet market, I would assume they have to be registered with DEFRA or some such agency same as any livestock animal.


Have you considered a pair of house Rabbits? Or Rats? Rats make great pets for a flat.

Is there even such a thing as a domesticated hedgehog? Surely they are purely wild animals.

Someone I work with has African dwarf pygmy (or something) hedgehogs, they are really cute but cost her about £200 each. And they have to be kept indoors as they can't cope with British weather. They have quite a specialised diet too, IIRC.

Hi StressMonkey. Thanks for info. I would like to take my pet with me when I visit so rabbit out of the question and as for a rat well, I can't even look at them in our local pet shop let alone have it hanging around my shoulder !!!! And yes, I have heard that they are great pets but not for me thanks............ I want something like a cat/dog but one that doesn't require garden

African Pygmy hedgehogs are the only ones that you would be able to keep as a pet in the UK AFAIK. I wouldn't recommend it though - they are nocturnal, so wouldn't exactly be good company, and are very noisy during the night. They are also extremely messy little things and need to be cleaned out daily as they are rather whiffy!

Also, you say that you want to take your pet with you on visits, but I don't see that would be any easier with a hedgehog than with a house bunny?