Hedgehogs are some of the most uncommon yet well-received pets out there today. Theyâre well-liked for their cute, docile personalities and all-around adorable appearances.
Well hedgehogs are well-known, not many people know much about them. The donât know the small nuances of hedgehog care, and they think theyâre much cheaper/more expensive than they actually are.
So, how much do hedgehogs actually cost? Are they an affordable pet that anyone can have, or are they unattainable for the average person?
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How Much Does A Hedgehog Cost?
A hedgehog typically costs between $100 and $200 for a healthy juvenile/adult. However, prices can range from $50 to $300+ depending on the breeder and type of hedgehog.
There are other costs of hedgehog ownership that need to be considered, too.
Essential, initial costs are typically around $200, while ongoing costs of ownership are around $200 to $300 per year.
So, hedgehogs arenât extremely expensive pets, but they arenât the cheapest pets to keep, either.
Below, weâll cover the costs of hedgehog ownership more in-depth. This includes the purchase price of the hedgehog itself, as well as the enclosure and supplies youâll need to keep them happy and healthy.
Hedgehog Cost Breakdown
Product |
Initial Costs |
Yearly Costs |
| Hedgehog | $100 â $200 | |
| Cage | $75 â $150 | |
| Hide | $15 â $25 | |
| Exercise Wheel | $20 â $50 | |
| Food/Water Bowls | $10 â $20 | |
| Heating Pad | $20 â $30 | |
| Carrier | $15 â $30 | |
| Thermometer | $5 | |
| Food | $50 â $100 | $50 â $100 |
| Bedding | $75 â $150 | Â $75 â $150 |
| Treats | $10 â $20 | Â $10 â $20 |
| Toys | $5 â $10 | Â $5 â $10 |
| Grooming Supplies | $20 â $40 | Â $10 â $20 |
| Vet Visits | $50 â $100 | $50 â $100 |
Cost Of The Hedgehog Itself
There isnât a single âone-size-fits-allâ price when it comes to hedgehogs. While there are trends in pricing, youâll find all different kinds of hedgehogs selling for different prices.
The main factors that determine how much a hedgehog costs include color, age, place of purchase, and temperament.
Color
The color of a hedgehog typically has a large impact on its cost. Simply put, if a hedgehog has a unique color, itâs likely that it well sell for more than a hedgehog with common colors.
For example, say a single breeder is selling two hedgehogs. One hedgehog is a standard âsalt and pepperâ color while another is all black.
The salt and pepper hedgehog will sell for a normal price of around $150, while the black hedgehog may sell for up to $300.
Of course, this is just just a generalization, and itâs up to the seller to determine pricing. However, this is a common trend.
Age
The age of a hedgehog will determine its price for two main reasons.
First of all, younger hedgehogs tend to sell for more than older hedgehogs. Hedgehogs typically only live for around 5 years, so older hedgehogs have less time to live and are less desirable.
Second, juvenile hedgehogs usually sell for more than babies. This is because theyâre not only easier to care for, but also because you can get a real sense for a hedgehogâs temperament at this age.
Many hedgehogs are sold as juveniles, though.
Place Of Purchase
You can purchase a hedgehog from three main places: current owners, pet stores, and breeders.
Current owners sometimes sell their hedgehogs for very cheap or give them away for free when they canât care for them anymore. While rare, these deals do pop up on craigslist and other marketplaces from time to time.
Pet stores are the most common place to acquire a hedgehog from, but they should be avoided.
Hedgehogs from pet stores are cheaper but usually arenât cared for properly and can come with various health problems. Not only will these hedgehogs likely live shorter lives, but youâre also supporting bad breeding practices.
Thus, the best place to purchase a hedgehog from is a reputable breeder.
These hedgehogs will be more expensive, but theyâll almost always be healthier and cared for much better, so the slightly higher price is well worth it.
Temperament
As hedgehogs are pets that people want to interact with, their temperament is very important and has an impact on their price.
Hedgehogs with calm, friendly temperaments will almost always sell for more than aggressive hedgehogs.
While temperament largely comes down to proper husbandry, some are simply worse-behaved than others.
Initial Hedgehog Costs
If youâre looking to purchase a hedgehog, $150 isnât all of the money that youâll be spending.
Before you even bring your hedgehog home, you need to have several supplies on hand to make sure that itâs comfortable and cared for from day 1.
Fortunately, these are one-time purchases, so they only cost you initially but last for a long time.
Cage Cost
When it comes to a hedgehogâs cage, you donât want to cheap out. This cage will keep them safe and comfortable during times when you canât interact or play with them.
While many cages may look alike, theyâre certainly not. There are some hedgehog cages that are simply better than others and better meet the needs of a hedgehog.
For a great hedgehog cage, expect for it to cost around $100 â sometimes as much as $200. These cages provide enough space while also being secure.
Hide Cost
Hedgehogs are typically shy creatures that, at times, can get overwhelmed with their surroundings. Because of this, a hide should be available.
This hedgehog hide will allow them to isolate themselves and feel more comfortable, thus reducing stress. They also like to sleep in there!
While the cage listed above has a built-in hide, you may need to purchase one. Fortunately, a safe wooden hide only costs around $10.
Exercise Wheel Cost
These creatures can be pretty energetic â especially if they arenât taken out of their cage very frequently. An exercise wheel will cut back on this excess energy.
When purchasing a wheel, get one thatâs well-built, solid, and is large enough to allow the hedgehog to run without arching their back.
Cheaper options are available for around $15, but the best wheels are around $35.
Food/Water Bowls Cost
Hedgehogs need to eat and drink, so they need bowls!
Food and water bowls should be low to the ground, large enough to hold significant amounts of food and water, and heavy enough so that they canât be flipped.
It only costs a few dollars each for these types of bowls.
Itâs also possible to get a water bottle for your hedgehog, but many owners find these to be less reliable.
Heating Pad Cost
Hedgehogs are very sensitive to temperature. If they arenât given a warm place to rest, they could go into hibernation and die prematurely.
You can either keep your hedgehog in a warm room or you can simply provide them with a gentle heat pad.
You can purchase a heat pad for around $20, and it should be placed under the cage where the hide is to create a warm sanctuary.
Carrier Cost
If you ever need to travel with your hedgehog, you need to keep them in a carrier. This helps to keep them safe and also helps them feel more comfortable.
You wonât be using this carrier much, but for around $15 itâs very handy to have ready.
Thermometer Cost
As stated, hedgehogs are very sensitive to temperature. Because of this, you need to monitor their environmental conditions regularly and make sure that theyâre warm enough.
A simple $5 thermometer will let you know if you need to warm up or slightly cool down their enclosure.
Recurring Hedgehog Costs
Like all living creatures, hedgehogs need upkeep. There are several recurring costs of ownership that youâll incur that are simply a part of owning hedgehogs.
While these costs will add up, especially if you opt for the highest-quality versions, it is possible to save money on these products by buying in bulk.
Food Cost
The food that you choose to feed to your hedgehog is probably the most important aspect of ownership!
A good hedgehog food will keep your hedgehog happy, healthy, and living for a long time. The best hedgehog food doesnât come cheap, though.
In fact, the best food isnât even hedgehog food at all â itâs cat food! High quality cat food that aligns with a hedgehogâs diet can cost between $30 and $50 for a 5-pound bag.
Bedding Cost
Bedding is placed at the bottom of a hedgehogâs cage and not only provides them with a comfortable material to live on, but itâs also great for odor/waste absorption.
Youâll want a high-quality bedding that effectively controls odors while keeping the enclosure clean, and it needs to be changed frequently. Because of this, it can cost a lot.
Yearly, hedgehog bedding can cost you well over $100. However, this cost is essential and worth the money.
Treats Cost
Hedgehogs love treats, even if they love their main food already. So, you can expect to spend some money on hedgehog treats.
Hedgehogs primarily eat mealworms as treats, but this can be supplemented with very small amounts of fruits.
As these treats canât be fed regularly (theyâre very high in fat and sugar), treats only cost a very small amount.
Toys Cost
Giving your hedgehogs toys is a great way to keep them entertained.
There are a ton of different toys that you can buy for your hedgehog, with costs ranging from $1 to $30+.
Many toys should last a long time, though, so yearly costs will be minimal.
Grooming Supplies Cost
While hedgehogs donât have fur, they still need to be groomed and cared for.
These supplies include nail clippers, sanitizing wipes, and moisturizer for dry ears.
Nail clippers cost a few dollars and last forever, sanitizing wipes also only cost a few dollars, and quality moisturizer costs more but lasts virtually forever.
Vet Visits Cost
Hedgehogs would go to the vet for two reasons: for standard checkups and for medical care if theyâre sick.
Standard checkups typically only cost around $50, and this should be done once a year to make sure that your hedgehog is healthy.
A sick hedgehog can incur many costs, though, ranging from $10 for a skin scrape to $150 for an x-ray.
Because of this, itâs smart to have an emergency fund put away so that your hedgehog can always get the care that it needs.
Are Hedgehogs Cheap Pets To Own?
All things considered, hedgehogs are fairly average in terms of ownership costs. Theyâre definitely not the cheapest pets, but theyâre far from the most expensive.
In the first year of ownership, expect to pay around or over $500 for your hedgehog and all of their supplies for the year. After that, yearly costs are still up there, but nothing terrible.
A big determining factor in how much you spend will be your hedgehogâs health. If you buy a sick hedgehog, expect to pay hundreds in vet bills.
Remember, breeders are the way to go!