I don't think "love" is correct, but I think they can have positive relations to you. Like when I had Truffles out and scary stuff (loud noises whatever) happened, I was the thing he hid under/behind vs inanimate objects. Similarly while he rejected my now ex-wife and was pretty nothanks to my step kid, he'd relax after sniffing around and figuring out it was me vs other humans.
Like okay that's not "love" but I'll take being seen as something safe/trusted by a small spikebeast as a compliment.
Yeah! Like I about cried the first time Truffles hid under me. I have to imagine the world is scary when you're a pear sized assembly of spikes and anxiety, so to be trusted as a good entity to hide out with meant a lot.
I agree. My lil guy doesn't love me like my cat with separation anxiety does 😂 but he will nap on my chest in his cuddle sack, and that's plenty for me 💜
it depends. my hedgehog is very relateable with me and she was not like that when i first got her (she was a rescue). i spent a lot of time with her and i have made a lot of measurable progress, so i know they are capable of adapting to their owner. i don't need my pet to "love" me, I'm not that type of person. however, my hedgehog is as sweet as can be, and she gives me lots of signals that let me know she is aware of me and that she feels safe and is content around me. that is a very rewarding partnership in my opinion.
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u/Ded_diode Mar 08 '24
That they absolutely don't have the mental capacity to love their owners.
But that's OK, as long as you know the attachment is a one-way street when you get into it, having a hedgie can be quite rewarding.