Pet Hedgehog Guide: What You Need to Know

Before Buying a Hedgehog

When you take in a hedgehog you’re getting a small, energetic pet with a cute face and an independent nature. Though there are 17 different types of hedgehogs, the most popular pet is known as an African Pygmy. The African Pygmy hedgehog can be up to eight inches long as an adult and weighs one and a half pounds. The price of a baby hedgehog from a breeder ranges from $300 to $500. Adopting an adult hedgehog or purchasing one from a breeder costs a little less.

A hedgehog needs a cage with enough space to run around. These tiny animals are experts at climbing, so a 40-gallon aquarium with a secure lid is the best choice. If you have more than one hedgehog, you should keep them in separate cages. These are solitary animals.

Your hedgehog is going to need to be petted, talked to, and held each day. Despite the small quills on their back, these can be affectionate animals!

How Much Does a Hedgehog Cost?

The cost of a baby hedgehog is from $300 to $500. Getting a baby hedgehog from a breeder allows you the opportunity to ask questions about your pet’s overall health and care requirements. There are also hedgehog rescue organizations that have many adult hedgehogs available for adoption.

A hedgehog is an active pet and needs space to run around, dig and hide. Your pet needs a 40-gallon aquarium. The aquarium should measure 36 inches long, 18 inches wide and 16 inches deep. The smooth sides of an aquarium prevent this expert climber from escaping its habitat. A 40-gallon aquarium is between $120 to $140.

A wire mesh lid with locking clips is an additional purchase to give you extra peace of mind about keeping your hedgehog secure. A lid for a 40-gallon aquarium is around $40.

Hedgehogs need bedding to dig in and absorb their waste. Natural paper bedding is best for these small pets because it has a low amount of dust and helps to keep odors at a minimum. Paper bedding ranges in price from $10 to $20 depending on what size bag you choose.

These pets like to hide especially when it’s time to go to sleep. So, look for a small animal hut or shelter made with non-toxic wood. Be sure it’s large enough for your hedgehog to disappear into. It’s best to get one without a floor. This allows your pet’s urine and poop to fall into the shavings where it will be removed with weekly cleanings. Wooden shelters range in cost from $25 to $30.

Hedgehogs need to live in a warm atmosphere. Specifically, they need to live in a habitat with a temperature ranging from 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A pet warming pad placed under the cage gives your hedgehog an area to warm up. A pet warming pad is around $20.

Toys are a must-have with this pet to keep it occupied in its cage. An exercise wheel is great for hedgehogs to burn some energy. Also, a plastic ball or two are great for rolling around in the cage. An exercise wheel and balls for this pet cost between $20 and $30.

Food and water should be available to your hedgehog at all times. A sturdy earthenware food bowl is best for this pet because they like to turn items over in their cage. A glass water bottle that hangs from one wall of the cage is the most reliable option. The cost of a food bowl is $6 to $10 while a water bottle is $5 to $10.

In terms of diet, a hedgehog needs a few food items to provide it with the proper nutrition. First, it needs a basic diet of hedgehog kibble. This provides it with protein, vitamins, and minerals. Also, they need fruits and vegetables. Green leafy veggies and berries including strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are all good options.

Meal worms are also a good addition to their diet as another dose of protein. Hedgehog kibble is priced between $15 and $25 depending on how much you buy. Mealworms are available in pet shops and online. You can buy them live or freeze dried for around $20 a bag.

Initial Costs:

• Hedgehog-$300
• Cage-$120
• Cage lid-$40
• Bedding-$10
• Wood shelter-$25
• Warming pad-$20
• Toys-$20
• Food bowl-$6
• Water bottle-$5
• Hedgehog kibble-$15
• Mealworms-$20

Total initial cost: $581

Ongoing Costs

• Hedgehog kibble-$15 (monthly)
• Mealworms-$20 (monthly)
• Paper bedding-$10 (monthly)
• Veterinary care (yearly checkup)-$100

Yearly cost of owning a hedgehog: $720
Cost over the lifetime of a hedgehog: $7,781

The lifespan of a hedgehog is 5 to 10 years. The above lifetime total assumes your hedgehog will live to be 10 years old.

New Owner Shopping List: What to Buy

Before going to pick up your new hedgehog, it’s smart to get everything set up for its arrival at home. Buying and setting up all of your pet’s supplies ahead of time means it can start to settle into its new cage right away.

• Cage – A 40-gallon aquarium is a good size habitat for your hedgehog to sleep, eat, and play in while not spending time visiting with you.
• A cage lid – A lid with a wire mesh top that fits a 40-gallon aquarium is a must-have to keep your hedgehog safe. These small animals can climb and there’s a chance it could gain access to the top of the cage by climbing its water bottle. So, the lid should have locking clips to keep it in place.
• Bedding – Paper bedding is the best choice for a hedgehog because it has very little dust and is absorbent.
• Wood shelter – This could be in the shape of a little house, a hut or even an igloo! Be sure your hedgehog can fit into its shelter without knocking it over.
• Warming pad – Get a warming pad in a suitable size to put beneath the floor of your aquarium. It has to be compatible with a glass enclosure and have a temperatures control feature so you can make sure your hedgehog is always comfortable.
• Toys – There are exercise wheels in a traditional design that sit in a vertical position. Other exercise wheels are set up at an angle or in a slanted position. Plastic balls of various sizes are other toys that can entertain hedgehogs.
• Food bowl – An earthenware bowl is a good choice to hold your hedgehog’s food. It’s heavy enough to discourage you pet from dumping it.
• Water bottle – A glass water bottle is a smart choice for this pet. They have a tendency to chew, so a sturdy glass water bottle would last longer than a plastic one.
• Food – A bag of hedgehog kibble is another necessary purchase. They are available in different sizes, so you may consider buying a larger size if it makes more financial sense. Mealworms are another essential in your hedgehog’s diet. You can purchase live ones or freeze-dried mealworms to feed your pet.

Ongoing Needs: What You Need to Care for Your Hedgehog

When you get a hedgehog or any new pet it’s important to consider its ongoing needs.
That way, you know what’s required to keep your pet in excellent health.

• Hedgehog kibble – This is the fundamental part of a hedgehog’s diet. So, a monthly supply of quality hedgehog kibble should be on your shopping list.
• Mealworms – These are available in pet shops and online. You have to decide whether you want to buy live ones for your hedgehog or freeze-dried mealworms.
• Fruits and vegetables – Spinach, lettuce, blueberries, and strawberries should all play a part in your hedgehog’s daily diet. So, when you buy these items for your family, make sure you set aside a supply for your quilled pet as well!
• Bedding – Paper bedding for your hedgehog’s cage is another regular expense. Your pet’s cage needs to be cleaned once a week. Once you clean your pet’s cage a couple times, you’ll know exactly how much paper bedding you use each month.
• Veterinary care – Your hedgehog needs a checkup once a year at the small animal vet. This checkup allows your vet to monitor the overall health of your hedgehog, make recommendations for its diet and follow up on any problems.

Exercise and Ongoing Care

Hedgehogs need exercise every day. In the wild, they run around their habitat, climb, and even swim! So, a pet hedgehog needs to be active as well.

Exercise

A pet hedgehog needs 30 minutes of exercise each day. Along with holding and petting your hedgehog, it should be allowed to run around in an enclosure. Though there are playpens for sale, you can make one with a border of bricks or blocks so your pet can stretch its legs without getting loose in your home.

Swimming

Swimming can be part of your hedgehog’s exercise routine. Whether it’s in a bathtub or a plastic bin with a small amount of water, a hedgehog should always be monitored while swimming. It’s best to allow them to swim in a place where they can get out when they need to so they don’t become overtired.

Grooming

You can bathe your small pet in the bathroom sink. First, wet your hedgehog’s body with warm water. For soap, use a body wash designed for sensitive skin. A soft bristle toothbrush is great for washing its quills. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly with warm water. A soft towel can be used to pat your hedgehog dry. They only need to be bathed once a month.

Hedgehogs need to have their nails trimmed on a monthly basis. Nail trimmers designed for a cat are useful for this task. It’s important to trim the ends of their nails. If you trim too far up the nail, you can cut the quick and cause bleeding. A small animal veterinarian can show you how to trim your hedgehog’s nails the proper way.

Cleaning the Habitat

Your hedgehog’s cage needs to be cleaned once a week. First, put your hedgehog into its enclosed play area. Next, take out its wooden shelter, toys, food bowl and water bottle. Dump the used paper bedding into a trash bag and dispose of it. Wash the aquarium with a sponge, hot water, and mild dish soap. After rinsing it thoroughly and drying it with a soft cloth, fill it with fresh paper bedding. Wipe off the wooden shelter and toys with a cloth moistened with white vinegar and water. Clean the water bottle and food bowl with hot water and mild dish soap. After they’re dry, refill them and put them in the cage.

Feeding Your Hedgehog

Feed your hedgehog twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. In the morning, it needs about one tablespoon of hedgehog kibble, a few spinach or lettuce leaves and five or six berries. In the evening, it can have a small handful of mealworms.

The amounts of the above foods can vary among hedgehogs, so ask your veterinarian what’s best for your pet. Your hedgehog needs fresh water every day.

Here is more information on what hedgehogs eat.

How Long Will Your Pet Hedgehog Live?

The lifespan of this pet is 5 to 10 years. Hereditary conditions, diet, and the amount of exercise your hedgehog gets all affect its lifespan.

Getting your hedgehog checked at the veterinarian on a yearly basis can help you to discover and treat any potential health issues.

Check out this article on the lifespan of the hedgehog to learn more.

Common Health Issues for Hedgehogs

Obesity is a health issue for these pets. If they don’t get enough exercise they can easily become overweight. The extra weight on a pygmy hedgehog’s little body can cause heart issues, muscle problems and more.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Hedgehog Teeth

Where to Buy Your Hedgehog

A hedgehog breeder is the best place to purchase this pet. A breeder is responsible when pairing healthy male and female hedgehogs. Also, they are dedicated to handling their baby hedgehogs early on, so they are more accustomed to being held by the time they are sold. Breeders have containers on hand, so you have a safe way to transport your little pet.

There are some hedgehog rescue organizations that adopt out these pets. The adoption fee is likely to be less than a breeder would charge, but there may only be adult hedgehogs available. However, adult hedgehogs make good pets too!

Special Considerations with Hedgehogs

Holding Your Pet

It may seem like a tricky undertaking to hold this quilled pet, but it can be done safely. The main thing to remember is to speak in a calm voice and move slowly.
This animal sticks its quills up straight when it feels stressed, but they lay flat when it’s relaxed. Scoop your hands in from the sides and underneath your hedgehog. Hold the animal firmly (not too tight) so it feels safe. It helps to hold them while sitting on the ground, so they feel more secure.

Illegal to Own in Some Places

Hedgehogs are considered exotic animals and outlawed as pets in some places like California. Check your state to ensure you can own one without violating the law.