The common hedgehog that can be kept as a pet belongs to African Pygmy family. Hedgehogs are tiny, spiny and beautiful animals. They are great for people looking for pets which are unusual, can do well without asking for much attention and are peculiar.
If you are planning to buy a hedgehog and keep it as a pet, you should not only be concerned about the price of the animal but also keep in mind the characteristics of the pet that can alter the price of a hedgehog. Such characteristics include color, age, size, breed, and temperament of the animal.
You should also consider the cost of buying the cage and other necessary accessories for your pet if it is your first time.
In this article, we will give you an estimate of all the costs you are going to incur while buying a hedgehog and keeping it as a pet.
Price of the Hedgehog
Depending upon the above-mentioned characteristics, a hedgehog can cost you around $100 to $300. The normal age span of hedgehog is around 4 to 6 years.
If you are looking for an older hedgehog, it will cost you less as compared to a young one. If you find a hedgehog listed around $50, make sure that it has perfect health.
Some breeders sell sick and infected hedgehogs at lower prices. Remember to check the health certificate of the animal.
The color of the hedgehog is a very important factor in deciding the price of the animal. The rarer the color, the hedgehog gets more expensive. You can find the cinnamon, salt, and pepper hedgehogs at around $100 to $200.
Hedgehog in apricot with unique red eyes can cost you more than $200. Blonde-colored hedgehogs have a price tag of approximately $200-$250. Pinto and Algerian are traded at $175-$250.
While the snowflake (white), white (rare), Albino (white with red eyes) and black comes with a price range of $200 to $350.
Please keep in mind that the above prices are just estimates taken from our research on the hedgehog.
In order to find the exact price of particular species in your area, you can check out the online stores of breeders and pet stores in your area.
Other Relevant Costs
Buying a pet does not mean, that you will only have to pay the charges for the animal. It also includes a lot of other costs that you will have to incur.
Depending upon the size of the hedgehog and your choice, a cage will cost you somewhere around $30 to $100.
Keeping the hedgehog in an aquarium or a plastic tub is a not a good idea, as they are not properly ventilated and hedgehogs love to exercise and move around in the cage, so they should have ample supply of air crossing in the cage.
Litter trays cost around $ 8 and a bag of litter will cost you between $10 and $20 and it can last up to four months.
Exercise wheel and other toys
While buying for an exercise wheel for hedgehog, look for a smaller wheel. The price of the wheel can range around $5 to $10. Other toys include igloo and tunnels, they can be found at a price range of $3 to $30.
LED lamp heater and thermometer
It is very important to provide a comfortable environment for hedgehogs. They are exotic pets and like everything according to their mood.
A LED heater can keep the temperature warm during the chilly winters and the thermometer is needed to ensure that the temperature does not exceed the bearable limit. You can buy both this equipment around $30.
A visit to the vet can cost you around $40 to $70. In this visit, you will get a complete medical examination for your pet.
You will need separate nail clippers for your hedgehog. If you already have a baby nail clipper at your home, you can utilize it for your hedgehog or it can be bought for $3 at a nearby store.
Annual supply of bedding will cost you around $75. You can buy the bedding for a year and save some money on the bulk purchase.
Habitat cleaners and dust bath – this can cost you around $5 to $18.
Some ways to keep the Cost Down
Adopt and save two lives
If you really want to own a hedgehog as a pet and develop a bond with it, without looking for particular traits in, then you can consider adoption from a shelter house or rescue group.
Adoption fee is very low as compared to buying charges. You will just have to pay around $25-$50 as an adoption fee and a few bucks for the vet exam.
In this way, you will not only save some money, but you will also be saving two lives, one of the hedgehogs you are adopting and by making space for another animal at the shelter house.
Buy used cages
There are a lot of people selling used cages and other accessories at online stores and pet websites. Make sure that the equipment you are buying is in good shape.
Please keep in mind that the wheels should be brought in very good condition as it will save you from the hassle of changing them and spending more on them again.
You can buy bedding and food in large portions. In order to keep the bedding safe, you can use an airtight plastic jar and keep the excessive food refrigerated. Refrigerated food can preserve its nutritional value for a period of six months.
Visit a Vet
Remember to visit a vet at the first sign of trouble with your pet. Sometimes, we prefer to delay the medical condition of our pet and end up spending more on the medical bills later on. A stitch in time saves nine.
Before you actually buy a hedgehog as a pet, remember to check the state laws about them. Hedgehogs are exotic pets and some states do not allow them to be kept as pets.
The total yearly cost of keeping a hedgehog as a pet can be around $250 to $300, excluding the one-time buying cost.