How much do hedgehogs cost?
How much do hedgehogs cost?
$250 – $760 average upfront cost
$20 – $40 average cost per month
Average hedgehog price
A pet hedgehog costs $150 to $400 on average for the animal itself or $250 to $760 total, including its cage and other necessary items. Your monthly costs will be about $20 to $40 per month for food, toys, and bedding as well as any treats or insects you buy.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Animal | $150 – $400 |
| Cage | $50 – $200 |
| Food | $10 – $20 |
| Accessories | $20 – $100 |
| Bedding | $10 – $20 |
| Bowls | $10 – $20 |
| Average total initial cost | $250 – $760 |
Animal
The hedgehog itself will cost about $150 to $400, depending on where you get it and the coloring. Most hedgehogs are shades of gray or brown. A hedgehog with unusual markings, facial coloring, and either very dark or very light coloring will cost more.
Cage
A hedgehog cage can cost anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the size and features. Some cages come in a bundle with a hiding area, wheel, or a packet of food.
Food
A bag of dry hedgehog food costs about $10 to $20. A hedgehog doesn't eat much, but you should give them treats like mealworms, scrambled eggs, or unseasoned, cooked chicken when you can.
Accessories
Toys and accessories cost $20 to $100. Your hedgehog will need a wheel for exercise, a hut or hiding place, and small balls or toys. Some hedgehog owners also opt for a digital thermometer and heating pad to keep them warm.
Bedding
Bedding for a hedgehog usually costs $10 to $20, depending on how much you buy in advance and the material. Most hedgehog owners also purchase cleaning wipes to make sanitizing their wheel and cage more convenient.
Bowls
A food bowl and vertical water bottle cost $10 to $20, depending on the type and size. If you have a hard time keeping the bowl clean regularly, you can buy multiple bowls and swap them out when they get dirty.
Monthly hedgehog pet price
A hedgehog costs about $20 to $40 per month for things like food and bedding, depending on the quality and volume you buy.
| Factor | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Food | $5 – $10 |
| Bedding & cleaning wipes | $10 – $20 |
| Toys | $5 – $10 |
| Average total ongoing costs | $20 – $40 per month |
Hedgehog cost factors
Several factors influence the cost of buying a hedgehog:
Number of animals: Experts recommend only having one hedgehog as they're usually solitary. Sometimes two female hedgehogs can live together, but they'll need two of everything: two wheels, two sets of feeding bowls, and two hiding places.
Location: A hedgehog costs less at a shelter or pet store than a breeder, but most people buy from breeders because hedgehogs are exotic animals and are hard to find.
Shipping: Some shops and websites will ship a hedgehog to you if you don't live close enough to pick it up, but this service often costs $200 to $300.
Vet visits: A vet visit costs $40 to $80 for routine checkups. Hedgehogs typically don't need vaccines but sometimes get infections or injuries that need emergency care.
Insurance: Pet insurance costs about $15 to $50 per month or $180 to $600 per year. Hedgehogs don't live for very long and don't usually have health problems, so insurance may not be worth it. However, you should have an emergency fund if you don't get pet insurance.
Alternative pets
Do you know you want a small, hedgehog-like pet but aren't sure what would be best? The following pets could be a good alternative to a hedgehog:
A rabbit costs $120 to $410 up front and $50 to $100 per month after that.
A ferret costs $200 to $950 at first and $30 to $80 per month.
A hamster costs $100 to $250 up front and $15 to $30 per month.
A cat costs $0 to $200 initially and $50 to $230 per month.
A guinea pig costs $120 to $570 at first and $20 to $70 per month.
A chinchilla costs $350 to $1,200 total initially and $30 to $60 per month after that.
Pet hedgehog FAQs
What do hedgehogs eat?
Hedgehogs are omnivores that eat a wide variety of foods, but their favorites are mealworms, crickets, eggs, fresh fruit, and meat. You should feed your pet hedgehog 1 to 2 tablespoons of kibble per day, plus about a teaspoon of any of the following treats:
Fruit: Fresh apples, bananas, berries, and melons
Insects: Live or dried mealworms, waxworms, crickets, or invertebrates
Some vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, green beans, or cooked squash
Meat: Cooked chicken, eggs, canned dog or cat food, or pinky mice
You should NEVER feed a hedgehog these foods:
Starchy foods like corn, bread, or potatoes
Raw meat or eggs
Dairy products
Vegetables like avocado, lettuce, or celery
Nuts and seeds
Dried fruits or vegetables
Salty or sweet human snacks
Where do hedgehogs live?
Hedgehogs are native to Europe, Africa, and New Zealand and are normally found in the edge of woodland areas or gardens.
How long do hedgehogs live?
A hedgehog can live for about 4 to 8 years if you take good care of it. Be especially diligent about sanitizing their wheel and their feet to prevent bacterial infections.
Are hedgehogs good pets?
A hedgehog can be a great pet, despite the prickly quills. These critters are relatively low maintenance, fun to watch and don't take up tons of space. They can be a good first pet for older, more responsible children.
However, they are mostly nocturnal and sometimes make noise running on their wheels. Their diet also consists of things that some people find disturbing or upsetting (insects or baby mice).
What is a hedgehog's trophic level?
A hedgehog's trophic level, or position on a food chain, is omnivore. This means they eat both plants and animals as their main source of food. Some other examples of omnivores include pigs, ferrets, bears, skunks, chimps, squirrels, and sloths.
Finding and choosing a hedgehog
Follow these steps to find a pet hedgehog from a reputable source:
Search for breeders, pet stores, and shelters near you.
Read customer reviews on Vety and Google.
Make sure the store has a business license, or the breeder has a USDA license.
Ask which breeds or colors they have available.
Ask if they have any bundle deals for food, bedding, or a cage.
Questions to ask a pet store or breeder
Asking these questions can help you better understand the costs and responsibilities of hedgehog ownership:
How long have you been working with hedgehogs?
What would be my total cost if I bought a hedgehog today?
Which colors or patterns do you have? How rare is that?
What kind of cage and bedding do you recommend?
Will the hedgehog need a vet visit first?
How long do hedgehogs normally live?
How can I help them bond with me?
What kind of food and toys do you recommend?
How often do I need to sanitize the cage?
How do I prevent infections or sickness with a hedgehog?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.