How to Buy a Hedgehog Online The Smart Way!


African pygmy hedgehog on a bed sheet as owner discovers How to Buy a Hedgehog Online

Congratulations on the decision to buy a pet hedgehog because they’re adorable little creatures that can bring a lot of meaning into your life. The million-dollar question now is where to find the desirable breed to raise.

This article covers how to buy a hedgehog online and reveals the most trustworthy sources you can secure these lovely pets from on the internet. We also uncover the best platforms to find baby hedgehogs and pitfalls to avoid during the shopping process. Let’s get started.

How to Buy a Hedgehog Online

USDA-certified breeders with solid reputations for delivering well-bred animals are the best sources for buying hedgehogs online. Choose a breeder that offers an extensive warranty in case the hedgehog dies a few days or weeks after purchase because they can be quite expensive.

Finding multiple certified USDA breeders in your city should not be a problem regardless of where you live. We recommend compiling an initial list of about 5 to dig through and finalize the best by contacting members of hedgehog forums to find out more information about each breeder.

Google searches and Yelp reviews can also reveal information about other users’ experiences with these breeders. Be sure to find out details such as price, age of hoglets, medical history, and details of warranties if any.

How Much Does a Hedgehog Cost?

Hedgehogs typically cost $100 to $300 depending on factors such as age, location, and breed. Buying online often comes with additional shipping charges which can cost tens of dollars depending on your location and that of the seller.

Why Buying From a Local USDA Certified Breeder Online is The Best

There’s always a chance of finding good online breeders in another city or state but local breeders should be your first point of call. If any family or friends currently have pet hedgehogs, you could get a good referral by talking to them.

Setting up a meeting with local breeders should be easy which often provides a good first-hand experience of their operations. You can check in on current hoglets available for sale while relying on your intuition to decide whether to purchase from that particular breeder or not.

You may even start bonding with the hedgehog you intend to purchase during the first meeting which should speed up its comfort after arriving at your home.

Arranging shipment is easy when the breeder is local compared to one in a different state and this can be beneficial for the hedgehog. Traveling via air or road could be stressful for their cute delicate bodies and may result in illness.

You can verify whether breeders have the required license by asking for their USDA number among other vital information.

Additional Sources To Buy Pet Hedgehogs Online

Here are other popular avenues you can find pet hedgehogs to buy online. Unfortunately, many of them may come with additional pitfalls so you have to be extra careful.

Facebook Groups

facebook group logo

Facebook Groups are a popular source of live animals including hoglets. Membership in one of the numerous groups dedicated to raising these animals can help you get access to pet hedgehogs available for sale.

Facebook currently only allows breeders with brick and mortar stores to sell live animals on their platform so any posts posted in the Groups are likely to come from reputable breeders. But you can also conduct background checks by speaking to other group members to find out whether a particular breeder is genuine.

Craigslist

Craigslist is one of the first websites that come to mind when people are looking to purchase live animals like hedgehogs. There are tons of “hedgehogs for sale” ads on the site with information such as age, breed, seller’s location, and price giving you the opportunity to take your pick.

While this may seem like an easy way to find any live animal of choice, the risks could be higher. Basically, anyone can post an ad to sell hoglets with little verification checks and it is no secret that popular classified ads sites are infiltrated by scammers.

Besides, there’s no guarantee of getting a healthy and well-bred hedgehog even if you end up getting what you pay for. The probability of buying hedgehogs sourced from bad breeders is high increasing the possibility of ending up with a disease-prone breed.

Craigslist may be a cheap way of sourcing live animals online but you could spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on veterinary bills should you end up with sick hedgehogs.

Exotic Animals For Sale

exoticanimalsforsale.net one of the best places to buy hedgehogs online

ExoticAnimalsforSale.Net is another popular source for buying live exotic pets like hedgehogs online. It serves as an open marketplace where breeders and private sellers can post details of live animals available for sale. A typical listing features an image, name, location, and the seller’s email or phone number.

Prices of hedgehogs range from $150 to $300 plus shipping depending on the animal’s age, breed, and specific features. Sellers that have been doing business on the site for long periods with unblemished records typically have a “Trusted Seller” badge attached to their listings.

If you decide to go down this route, we recommend choosing local “Trusted Sellers” if possible or at least sellers with that designation in a state that is geographically close. You can email or call sellers to get a feel of their operations and ask questions that may be lingering on your mind.

Paying a visit to local sellers before making an order could be a smart decision that can build mutual trust for future hoglet purchases.

Mammal Pets

Mammalpets.com is a reputable USDA-certified breeder operating out of Houston, TX. It is one of the most popular sources of exotic live animals like hamsters, hedgehogs, and guinea pigs. Finding a pet hedgehog to purchase is easy and stress-free.

If you live near Houston, a quick visit can be a great idea but if not be prepared to pay their asking price for the hedgehog and the required shipping charges. Your favorite hedgehog should arrive within a few days after order confirmation.

Where to Buy Hedgehogs Offline

Hedgehogs can also be found offline if an internet transaction seems like too much work for you. Here are a few options available.

Adoption

animal shelter poster

Pet charities could be a good source of free hedgehogs and accessories like enclosures, food bowls, and toys at zero cost. Hedgie owners that are traveling long-term or are unable to look after their little guys for some reason often give them up for adoption.

It can be a great way to get a hedgehog with minimal financial commitment but the downsides may be numerous. Firstly, the hedgies may have been given up for adoption because of prevailing health issues like ear infections that were costing the previous owners loads of money.

Behavioral issues could also be another reason why they’re available for adoption. Picking them up can be stressful because you have to spend considerable resources to tame them (if you’re successful). You could also spend a fortune at the vet if you end up with a sick hedgehog.

Hedgehog adoptions can take a while because these animals are not always readily available. Besides, the process could be slow because you need to spend time interviewing the previous owners to be sure of existing health conditions and other challenges faced in the past with the hedgehog.

Not all hedgehog owners are truthful and you could always get scammed into adopting a problematic one so you have to be careful. If you don’t mind ending up with sick or even pregnant hedgehogs, adoptions can be a great option.

Hedgehogs put up for adoption may be older leading to a shorter time spent together before they pass away naturally.

Pet Stores

Local and national pet stores can be good sources of live animals such as hedgehogs. These stores may not be the best avenue for buying hoglets since they’re often more interested in making a quick buck than providing the right level of care for the hoglets in their possession.

You could end up paying for a sick or stressed-out hoglet that may struggle to adapt to your surroundings. It is even possible that a store-bought hedgehog dies within a few days or months as a result.

A few local stores specialize in certain exotic animals and could be your best bet for finding a healthy and well-bred hedgehog. You can give them a shot If one of those is available in your city but you may want to speak to family and friends who have done business with them in the past to get an idea of what to expect.

Exotic Animals Shows

Exotic animal shows are another popular method for buying pet hedgehogs. They typically involve hundreds of breeders from different states meeting up to sell their exotic pets including hedgehogs.

These shows typically offer a good vibe and provide the opportunity to chat with several buyers before making up your mind to buy a hedgehog or not. However, be careful not to get charmed into buying a problematic animal since most sellers at such shows are often desperate to generate as many sales as possible.

Prepare a list of questions to ask the breeders mentally before your arrival and do not hesitate to walk away when something doesn’t feel right. Pet hedgehogs are a serious commitment of time and resources so you cannot afford to get the buying process wrong.

Local Exotics Vets

vet with a sthethoscope

Your local exotics vet can come in handy when seeking a new pet hedgehog because they could provide the right referrals for local reputable breeders. Your vet can also be a good resource for advice on what to look out for and the right questions to ask before buying a hedgehog from any source.

Even if you have never raised a pet hedgehog, you’ll definitely need the services of a vet in the near future for checkups and treatments. Calling on one now can help build a valuable relationship when a pet hedgehog finally arrives home.

Vets can also be a helpful resource when pet owners are looking to rehome their hedgehogs. They could provide referrals to reputable pet charities and get your name out there so you’re one of the first to receive a call when a hedgehog becomes available for adoption.

Conclusion: How to Buy a Hedgehog Online

Hedgehogs are available for sale online from reputable local breeders, Facebook groups, and classified ads websites like Craigslist. USDA Certified breeders are recommended because you can be sure that you’re buying from the right source.

A quick search online should reveal a few local breeders to investigate further. Once you settle on a breeder, pay them a visit to witness their operation and take it from there. Sites like ExoticPetsForSale.net and MammalPets.com can also be great options for buying pet hedgehogs online.

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