One-time buys:

Hedgehog -- $150 - $250+

Cage -- $40 - $150+

Water dish -- $2 - $3

Food dish -- $2

Wheel -- $25 - $40

Hiding spot -- $10

Main heat source

• Ceramic heat emitter (CHE) -- $15 - $25 /stand (clamp lamp), $25 - $30 /emitter, $20 - $30 /thermostat controller; total of $60+
• Space heater -- $50 - $200
• (If turning temp up in house instead of buying one of the above, heating bill will go up.)

Light source

• Turning lights on in morning -- few $ in electric per day
• Lamp and timer -- $15 + $8 = $23

Emergency heat source -- $1 - $30

• (Hand warmers -- $1 for 2 at dollar stores)
• (Hot water bottle -- $3 - $10)
• (Heating pad -- $15 - $30)

Digital thermometer -- $7 - $10

Digital scale -- $10 - $30

Hard-sided carrier for transport in car -- $30 - $40

Toys -- $2 - $10+

Repeat Buys:

Liners/bedding

• Liners -- $20 (more expensive for better quality)
  NOTE: Liners also cost the amount of water it will take to wash them if you’re charged for the amount of water your household uses each month
• Wood chips – $5 - $10 per bag (not reusable, so this would be a monthly buy)

Food (high quality cat food) -- $9 - $12 ( 2.5 lb bag); $20 (5 lb bag). *Prices vary depending on location/store sales* Mix of 2-3 foods -- approx. $30 (6+ month supply)

Insects/Treats -- $2 - $3

• (Mealworms – live $1 /2 dozen; canned $3 - $4; Crickets – live $1/dozen; canned $4; Baby foods -- $.50 - $2)
• (Any fresh fruits/ veggies/meats you have around for you anyway; not including prices for those)

First aid kit -- $30+

Flax seed oil (for dry skin/baths) -- $6

Aveeno shampoo/bath -- $5

Grand Total?

This means that to go the cheapest route on each, using liners, 2-3 foods, ceramic heat emitter, and a lamp with a timer, the cost (NOT INCLUDING HEDGEHOG) would be: $305. And that’s only buying the bare minimum when it comes to treats and emergency heat sources. INCLUDING a hedgehog, that would come to a total of $455 -- and none of that includes vet costs.

Vet costs:
General exam -- $30 - $60 depending on vet (annual cost)
Medications /tests -- $10 - $100+
Emergency spay/neuter -- $200 - $2000
Surgeries/Cancer treatments -- $300 - $2000+

Every hedgehog should be taken to the vet soon after adoption, just to be checked out by a professional for problems. This is a wellness/general exam, and should take place within a month or so of coming into your life. After that, once a year exams are recommended. With a healthy hedgehog that rarely gets ill and without the development of any medical problems such as cancer or WHS, you still have the annual exam cost. Some people recommend going twice a year. Only going the bare minimum of one time, that would put the cost of a hedgehog up to $485 for one year.

This is a typical set-up that includes the BARE minimums. If you spoil your hedgehog by buying the best, it could cost more: buying the most expensive listed here, and a CHE comes to a total of $751; $781 with annual vet visit. Buying the most expensive stuff and a space heater instead of a CHE, the cost comes to $891! Plus annual vet visit: $921. For ONE hedgehog, for one year.

REMEMBER, this estimate doesn’t include the cost of repeat buys, such as food/treats, flax seed oil, shampoo, bedding, etc. First aid kits also need to have items replaced when they expire.

A hedgehog is an expensive endeavor, and prospective owners should keep that in mind during consideration of buying. If you cannot afford all these things, plus the possibility of the emergency vet bills, then a hedgehog is probably not a good pet for you until a time when you can.

NOTE: Prices are estimates based on July 2009 prices from various stores/websites. In time, prices may increase or decrease. Product prices also vary by location and store.

Here are some examples of what others have paid.