In order to buy a pet hedgehog in the US, UK, or Canada, you have to know where to look. Luckily, there are tons of hedgehog breeders and welfare societies that can get you in contact with healthy and happy hedgehogs.
Scroll through our list below to find the best hedgehog breeders in the US, UK, and Canada. This list includes traditional breeders, as well as rescues.
Pet Keen advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. Learn more.
Hedgehog Breeders in US
Hedgehog Breeders in UK
Hedgehog Breeders in Canada
Hedgehog Breeders Near Me
Hedgehog Breeders That Ship
Hedgehog Rescues
Hedgehog Clubs
How Much Does a Hedgehog Cost?
Hedgehogs often cause between $200 and $300 since you have to buy them from a reputable breeder. Any hedgehog that costs under $200 is likely unethically bred and may have known health conditions.
In addition to the hedgehog itself, you may also need to pay for shipping if you do not have a hedgehog breeder in your area. Plus, don’t forget to factor in the cost of food and other necessities for your hedgehog.
The 6 Things to Ask a Hedgehog Breeder
1. Does the hedgehog come with a health guarantee?
All reputable breeders offer a health guarantee with their hedgehog. The guarantee ensures that the breeder is confident in their hedgehogs and health. Most guarantees should last for at least 30 days, but some last up to six months.
2. Do you have a breeding license?
Breeders should have a breeding license. The license helps ensure that the hedgehog is bred responsibly and ethically. Do not buy a hedgehog from an unlicensed breeder because this often leads to abuse and sick hedgehogs.
3. Do the parents have any known health conditions?
If your hedgehog’s parents have health conditions, your hedgehog will likely as well. It’s important to get a healthy hedgehog with healthy parents. Any reasonable breeder will not breed sick parents.
4. Does your hedgehog come with a return policy?
Always get a hedgehog from a breeder that offers a return policy. The return policy ensures that the hedgehog has a safe place to go if the relationship does not work out for whatever reason.
5. How do you care for your hedgehogs?
Always purchase a hedgehog from a breeder that cares for the creatures correctly. This includes feeding them the proper food, giving them the correct bedding, and handling them regularly. Any breeder that does not care for the hedgehog properly obviously does not care about the creatures and probably bred them irresponsibly.
6. Can I see the hedgehogs?
Good breeders shouldn’t have anything to hide and will likely let you see the hedgehogs. That way, you can see the breeding conditions for yourself and see how the hedgehogs respond to people.
The 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Hedgehog
1. They are a lifetime commitment.
Yes. Hedgehogs are downright adorable, especially as babies, but they are a lifetime commitment. If you are not prepared to take care of a hedgehog from the time it is a baby until the day that it dies, do not get a hedgehog, or any other animal for that matter.
Hedgehogs are not creatures that you buy on a whim and then forget about whenever you move on to your next animal.
2. They aren’t legal everywhere.
Before buying a hedgehog, make sure that these animals are legal to own as a pet in your area. Not all states or countries allow pet ownership of hedgehogs. Brush up on local laws in your area to confirm that hedgehogs are in fact legal.
Related Read: Why Are Hedgehogs Illegal in California?
3. Hedgehogs are nocturnal.
If you want an animal to be awake when you are, hedgehogs are not for you. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means they are most likely to be active during the night time. So, do not get a hedgehog if you expect your pet to want to play and cuddle throughout the day.
4. They are sensitive to temperature.
Hedgehogs are extremely sensitive to temperature. If it is too cold, you will send your hedgehog into hibernation. You will want to keep your hedgehog safe in a temperature between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to keep the rest of your home at this temperature. However, you will need to invest in heat lamps and pads to keep the area around the hedgehog this warm.
5. Many breeders are irresponsible.
Because hedgehogs are so cute, many people started breeding hedgehogs as a way to make money. Unfortunately, many of these breeders are irresponsible and downright do not care about the animal.
It’s important to ensure that the breeder you buy your hedgehog from is responsible and ethical. You do not want to fund a person to continue neglecting animals. Not to mention, buying a baby from an irresponsible breeder often leads to unforeseen health issues down the line.
Conclusion
Hedgehogs are adorable pets, but they aren’t right for everyone. Make sure that you are prepared to take care of your hedgehog for the rest of its life. If you think you are up to the challenge, make sure to get your hedgehog from a reputable breeder.
Using the lists above, you can find a reputable hedgehog breeder in your area, regardless of whether you live in the US, UK, or Canada. Don’t forget to quiz the breeder before purchase to further ensure that they are responsible with their hedgehogs.
Featured Image Credit: amayaeguizabal, Pixabay
