Pet hedgehogs are becoming more and more popular around the world. Despite this, there are still a lot of questions and misinformation still floating around.
For example, a lot of people have no idea how much hedgehogs cost. Then when you factor in the price of care and any other equipment you need to buy they get even more lost.
That’s why we put together this resource. By the time you’re done reading it, you’ll have a complete understanding of what you’re getting into when it comes to price.
Enjoy!
How Much Are Hedgehogs?
The average hedgehog price is usually between $100-$300. There are a number of factors that can impact how much a hedgehog costs, but here are a few of the most common ones:
- How old the hedgie is
- Color
- Their temperament
- Where you purchase them from
If you buy your African Pygmy hedgehog from a local pet store then they might cost a little bit less. On the other hand, if you get them from an established and respected breeder then it might end up being a little more.
We personally recommend that you get your pet hedgehog from a trusted breeder that has a good track record. This will ensure that there’s a low risk of health issues and that everything has been done humanely.
This comes at a price since hedgehogs from these breeders will cost a little bit more initially. However, there’s a strong chance that you’ll end up paying the difference (and then some) later due to the increased risk of health problems.
How Color Impacts The Price
Hedgehog prices can vary quite a lot based on the color. There are almost 100 different colors of hedgehog out there, with some being rarer than others.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the common price ranges based on color:
- Salt & Pepper: $100-$200
- Cinnamon: $100-$200
- Pinto: $150-$250
- Blonde: $200-$300
- White: $250-$300
- Black: $250-$300
These hedgehog prices are based on a compilation of data, so it’s not a guarantee that your local breeder will fit in this range. You might be able to track down a black hedgehog for less than $200 dollars, but it would be quite surprising!
But seriously if you really find a deal like that let us know 🙂
Additional Items You’ll Need To Buy
What a lot of new owners forget when they’re calculating how much hedgehogs cost is how much the little things add up. Like any pet, hedgies require a handful of items and ongoing costs if you want to take care of them properly.
In this section, we’ll lay out the typical things you need to buy so you won’t be surprised later.
Initial Costs
These are the main things you should have on day one of hedgehog ownership. Prices can vary obviously but this gives you the flexibility to keep your overall expenses low, or splurge a bit for your new critter!
The biggest and most important initial purchase you’ll make is a safe hedgehog cage. Here’s the one we recommend:
- Habitat that provides everything you need for safely housing a small animal.
- Includes a balcony with an access ramp and a tip proof food dish
- Hybrid cage consists of an upper wire frame and a plastic bottom base
- Safe design that will never pinch or cut
You’ll also need to get the following additional items:
- Sturdy food bowl: $5-$15
- Water bottle: $5-$15
- A burrowing place: $5-$20
- Exercise wheel: $10-$40
- Heating pads & lamps: $30-$40
- Thermometer to monitor the cage: $5-$10
Ongoing Costs
These are probably the most overlooked costs when it comes to hedgehog ownership. The estimates below are yearly estimates based on averages we’ve collected.
You can easily increase the overall cost of owning a hedgehog if you want. For example, if you’re fine with buying a bunch of toys for your hedgie to maximize their enrichment then go for it!
For those of you who want to stick to a budget, you can expect these ranges to be pretty much the norm assuming you’re buying from standard brands.
If you want to cut down on costs a bit you can do things like buying food and bedding in bulk. This will make a nice dent in what you have to spend on a regular basis while providing quality care.
Wrapping Up
You should now have a better understanding of how much hedgehogs cost and the variables that can influence what you spend. From the kind of hedgie you get to what you put in their tank, there’s pretty much a price bracket for everyone.
The one thing we have to say is if you think these extra costs might stretch your budget, hold off for now. There are far too many cases where people buy hedgehogs, realize the ongoing costs are out of their price range, and then give them back.
This isn’t fair to the hedgehog since it can cause a significant amount of stress. It’s not fair to the breeder either.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on hedgehog prices and ongoing costs. If you have any questions or feedback we would love to hear from you!
