The Hedgehog Cafe – our thoughts

Hedgehog Cafe opens in Japan

A new Hedgehog Cafe in Japan has been generating a lot of buzz on social media the last couple of days.

The Today Show’s video seems to explain it the best we’ve seen so far:

 

Not a fan of the Hedgehog Cafe

I kinda feel bad for these hedgies, actually… And for the hedgies that will be purchased by patrons of the Cafe because of their experience at the novelty shop.

We aren’t hedgehog experts, but speaking from our own experience with Mignonne, this new Cafe doesn’t seem like the best idea for hedgehogs.

 

Here’s why we’re not fans of the Hedgehog Cafe:

1) Not all hedgies are social. Most hedgies who I know are not generally sociable, except with just a few people. They will tolerate human interaction but not necessarily enjoy it, and definitely not always thrive in it. Bites, scratches, and generally huffy poky balls are the result.

2) Hedgies are diurnal – they wake naturally at dusk and dawn. Some tend toward being more nocturnal. But either way, they have a short window of awake time. I’m assuming daytime cafe hours will stretch the limits of these hedgies.

3) Being handled, even carefully, by people unfamiliar with hedgehogs can really stress out a hedgie. Pet store hedgies are notoriously neurotic from all the unsure juggling, startles, and nervous body language of humans.

For example, Mignonne didn’t rest at the pet store at all because every time someone came to her cage she woke up. Other hedgies would sleep, but not her. She got stressed and ran on the spinning wheel for HOURS. She was the last of her pen mates to come home because she wouldn’t gain weight. She was too stressed with that many people.

Hedgehog Cafe hedgehogs are likely to be similarly stressed.

 

Hedgehog Cafe is good business, but is it good for the hedgehogs?

The idea obviously is marketable. I mean, who doesn’t love a hedgie?? Hedgehogs are so cute …. in photos!

In real life they CAN be adorable, cuddly, playful, etc… But not ALWAYS, and not on usually on human demand. Also, depending on the breeder, the hedgie, the hedgehog’s lineage, and the human interacting with the hog, sometimes a hedgie isn’t any of these things at all!

 

Hedgehogs are EXOTIC pets with special needs

Hedgehogs are unique and exotic pets, with special needs. They can’t get away on their own when they’ve reached their limits, like a cat or a bunny could (see Cat Cafe and Bunny Cafe ideas in Japan, too). Hedgehogs have been called “low maintenance” because they don’t require human attention… But they aren’t necessarily “easy pets” because of that. They need special care, and I’m not sure how those needs will be addressed at the Hedgehog Cafe.

The number of hedgehogs required to cover the demand for their company will pose several issues right out of the gate – hedgies don’t typically live well in groups! They get cold easily. Males and females need to be separated. The list goes on!

Considering the care needed by these sweet creatures, there is serious concern for those hedgie a at the Cafe.

 

Best Wishes for the Hedgehogs at the Cafe

I hope the hedgies fare well at the Hedgehog Cafe. I hope the owners and handlers rotate hedgies often to avoid over-stimulation, handle them carefully, keep them warm, and keep the best interests of the critters (not the customers) in mind.

And I sincerely hope any visitors to the Hedgehog Cafe will carefully research before getting their own hedgehog as a pet!

 
Lots of Love,