On the hunt for a low-maintenance pet? Hedgehogs should be on top of your list! These spined mammals make the perfect pets for people who do not have enough time on their hands. But where do you buy a pet hedgehog?
There are numerous places you can buy a pet hedgehog. You can buy a pet hedgehog from breeders, pet shops, or online stores.
Mostly, breeders will have hedgehogs. With any pet, people prefer buying them at a small age so they can bond with it. Online or local breeders can provide you with the hedgehog of your choice.
You can also choose to buy from an online private pet store. Moreover, pet shelters will usually have hedgehogs. If you are looking to save some money, you should go to shelters.
Where to Buy Hedgehogs in the US?
Before you go ahead and buy a hedgehog, please ensure that you comply with the laws of the place. Most regions in the world do not allow you to keep hedgehogs as they are exotic animals.
Hedgehogs are allowed to be kept as pets in the United States in most of the states. You need to research and check if your state laws have not declared hedgehogs as illegal pets; otherwise, the authorities can take your pet away from you.
After you have researched, it is now time to buy a hedgehog. There are various options available for you to explore and decide which one is best for you.
Breeders
The most common, easy, and preferred way to buy a hedgehog is through breeders. These can be found in your locality. If you are a new pet parent, you may be unaware of certain breeds or diseases found in hedgehogs.
Hence, it is recommended to get in touch with an experienced breeder with a good reputation who can guide you.
You must be careful when dealing with breeders, as many people claim to be experienced but are otherwise. You can also look up any online breeders that you can find. Please ensure that your breeder has a license.
Pet Stores
If you have any private pet stores in your vicinity, it is a good idea to buy your hedgehog from them. The pet stores may have different breeds of hedgehogs that you can select from. However, many pet store owners do not have experience dealing with hedgehogs.
These stores consider animals as just a commodity, and most of the time, the animals are kept under bad conditions.
Adopt Don’t Shop
If you cannot afford a hedgehog or you are looking to shelter one, you can always go for adoption. Adopting unwanted animals gives them a new home, safe space, and a new chance to start again. There are many hedgehogs that you can find for adoption.
Moreover, you can also adapt your hedgehog from a shelter or rescuers. Please ensure that if you are looking for a rescuer, it is not a breeder in disguise charging you money.
Where to Buy Hedgehogs in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, African pygmies are allowed to be kept as pets. Hence, ensure that you get the correct breed of hedgehogs; otherwise, you may face problems.
African pygmies are a famous breed of hedgehogs famous for their small size. These hedgehogs make popular pets, and if you are looking to buy one, you can search for some breeders that deal with African pygmies.
Please ensure that the breeders are reputable and honest. More often, breeders can give you sick hedgehogs. Also, stay wary of breeders that practice inbreeding.
If you do not have any great local breeder options, you can also look for online breeders. There are many great online breeders available that are experienced and honest.
You can also look for African pygmy hedgehogs in shelters.
By buying a hedgehog from a shelter, you will be getting it at a lower cost than that from a breeder. You must be informed about whether the hedgehog is healthy and if the shelter has not compromised on the hedgehog’s health.
In the same way, if you are purchasing a hedgehog from a rescuer, ensure that the amount charged is not high. Most often, breeders claim to be rescuers and sell their hedgehogs.
You can also look at options online. There are many websites where people put up hedgehogs to be sold. Moreover, you can join certain groups and communities that are related to hedgehogs. More often, people post about selling their hedgehogs on such online platforms.
How Much Do Hedgehogs Cost?
Hedgehogs are rare and exotic pets that are not like cats and dogs. Hence, it is normal for hedgehogs to be priced greater than some other pets. Hedgehogs can be expensive.
The price of your hedgehog will depend on its breed, age, and size. A hedgehog generally will cost you between $100 to $300. Most people prefer keeping small hedgehogs as pets. The African pygmy hedgehog is the most common breed kept as a pet and is most expensive.
The cheapest hedgehog available in the market is salt and pepper hedgehogs and cinnamon hedgehogs.
One of the most expensive hedgehogs is the pinto hedgehog. Albino, black and blonde hedgehogs are some of the costliest breeds of hedgehogs that people buy. If you purchase your hedgehog from a breeder, you will get it at a higher price than that from a shelter.
Summary
You can purchase a hedgehog from breeders, pet shops, or shelters. In the United States, you cannot keep hedgehogs in some states. Hence, it is important to research and know whether a hedgehog is available in your state before buying one.
You can look for local breeders or even online. In the United Kingdom, the African pygmy hedgehog is allowed to be kept as a pet. It is important to look for a reputable breeder.
Since hedgehogs are exotic, they are priced higher than other pets. On average, a hedgehog will cost you between $100 to $300. How expensive a hedgehog depends on its nature, age, breed, and size.
