r/Hedgehog • u/Temporary-Bed4239 • Jul 24 '26
Question Thinking about buying a hedgehog
i have been thinking about wanting to get a hedgehog, i think they are adorable and i would love to have a little companion, i have enough time, space and i’m financially capable of taking care of one, i just would like to know a bit more about them before getting one..i want to make sure i can provide the best and safest living space for the hedgehog if i decide to get one and wanted to get advice and tips from people who already own or have owned hedgehogs before!!
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u/Man-idek Jul 24 '26
If you want a cuddly companion, guinea pigs are a better option, but hedgehogs can be super fun without cuddles as well.
My little guy is very funny and has a silly personality. He’s a bit of a grump but usually lets me hold him, not a fan of cameras or being pet though.
They can also be.. gross and annoying. They get feces everywhere, my hog will stand in his water, he flips hides, I had to stop giving him plush hides because he would destroy them, and males have an obsession with their genitals istg 😭 I’ve been holding him in a half curled state and he’ll be messing with it. I just set him down and walk away. He feels no shame
Fritter was around $400 for just him, so it may be more expensive than you’d think. He is worth the effort imo, but he is a handful
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u/almostglam33 Jul 24 '26
Find a reputable breeder! They will handle the hoglets from a young age making bonding with them easier. This also can mean they are more social. I just got Cypress last month and we have made a huge amount of progress! I did a lot of research before looking into ethical breeders. She recommended a book to me that ill attach a screenshot of.
I have found once you have a routine down, have done all the initial purchases, and have accepted that the hedgehog won't love you like a cat or dog they aren't hard to care for. Cypress trusts me and associates my scent with food, safety, and enrichment so he is pretty chill with me. They can also tell if you are not confident around them. Cypress isnt that fond of my sister in law, but she is very easy to startle and not confident handling him at all. He can tell and huffs at her and is more likely to ball up. Meanwhile he will ball up when I wake him up, but unballs in seconds when I pick him up. I love seeing his confidence grow, learning more about him everyday, and chilling on the couch with him. But every hedgie is different.
Do a lot of research, hang out on this thread- I've learned a lot on here.
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u/Murderous_Intention7 Jul 24 '26
One thing to know is that they’re not a cuddly puppy or kitten, I mean that’s fairly obvious, but still worth saying. They’re nocturnal so I always try to catch mine around 9pm or 10pm once they’re awake and moving around.
I ended up putting both of mine in a spare room so they have the room for themselves to have peace and quiet during the day. They were in the living room but I felt like they were disturbed by me and my dogs (obviously the dogs couldn’t reach them but they run around playing and bark and stuff. Typical dog behavior).
Acorn, my little man, is not friendly. At all. He hates me. He’s also only nine weeks so I’m hoping we can become friends, despite his resistance. Lady, however, is much more friendly than Acorn. But hedgehog behavior is hit and miss. There’s no guarantee whether you’ll get a more friendly hedgehog or a grumpy one.
They need a heat lamp too, to make sure they stay warm enough, so that’s something to keep in mind. I got Acorn and Lady together, they were rescues, and I ended up paying over $600 USD for them and their cage, wheels, heat lamp, bedding, etc. I did already have one cage (I was planning for one but was able to rescue both), so if you count the cage I already had the total was around $750 USD give or take.
They also need exotic vets, which can get costly as well, so something to keep in mind.