As a prospective hedgehog owner you're probably wondering how much these cute little animals are going to cost you.
Not only are you going to have to pay to purchase the hedgehog itself, but also the upfront cost of their cage, bedding, food, etc..
This will depend greatly on the breeder you purchase from, the cage you choose, and even the type of food you end up using. However, I'll do my best to give you a clear picture of total
How Much Are Hedgehogs?
The average price of a pet hedgehog is typically between $200 - $350. This is assuming you decide to purchase from a reputable breeder, not a typical pet store.
If purchasing from a breeder, the price will generally depend on the following factors:
- Coloring
- Age
- Temperament
- Breeder vs Pet Store
Depending on your location you'll also have to factor in the cost of shipping. I would generally recommend buying local if you can, but hedgehogs can absolutely be shipped safely through USDA licensed pet transporters. The cost can vary, but most charge a flat rate of $200 throughout the United States.
I would also recommend you purchase from a reputable breeder rather than your typical chain pet store. Breeders will track pedigrees, provide health guarantees and lifetime support for all questions and concerns.
There are a lot of fantastic breeders out there that breed well tempered, healthy hedgehogs. The higher upfront cost will save you in long run.
Additional Costs
Besides the cost of your hedgehog you'll also need to set aside some money to purchase all the necessary supplies. The prices of these items will vary, but this will give you a rough idea of additional costs.
The supplies you'll need will include:
- Enclosure: $70 - $200
- Bedding: $20
- Exercise Wheel: $20 - $30
- Hideaway: $10 - $20
- Water Bottle: $5 - $10
- Food Dish: $5 - $10
- Heating Element: $20 - $40
- Thermostat: $25 - $40
- Food: $20
Keeping things simple, prepare to spend another $300 on all necessary supplies. A lot of that will depend on your choice of enclosures and you have a lot of different great choice to pick from.
Ongoing Costs
You'll also need to factor in a few ongoing costs that will come up regularly over the years of ownership. This can also, but below are some rough yearly estimates.
- Food: $50 - $150
- Bedding: $100 - $200
- Vet Checkup: $50 - $100
Food and bedding are going to be fairly regular purchases but can vary slightly depending on the quality of food and the choice of bedding.
We recommend you take your hedgehog once a year for a routine checkup, so the cost of the checkup will mainly depend on the vet in your area. This cost could obviously increase quickly if there are health issues or injuries they need to be treated for.
Conclusion
Hedgehogs are amazing animals, but they're not cheap. All of these costs can vary depending on who you buy your hedgehog from, the cage you buy, the quality of food, and all the extras.
You'll also need to plan for the ongoing costs like food, bedding, and vet checkups.
We love hedgehogs and believe they can make amazing pets, but please do your research before buying. You'll want to understand on their care requirements and costs before deciding to dive into hedgehog ownership.
If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to us here.
