The domesticated hedgehog kept as a pet is typically the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).—Plutarch describes the same, but refers to the man as living in Cyzicus—but this is probably an unusual situation, as hedgehogs were generally not regarded as valuable animals. Other sources suggest that the Ancient Greeks may have kept hedgehogs around the home for their potential to eat beetles and other pests.

The Guinness World Records describe the Romans as having domesticated a relative of the Algerian hedgehog in the 4th century BCE, to use for meat and quills as well as pets.

The Romans did use the quill-covered hedgehog skins to clean their shawls, making them important to commerce, which resulted in the Roman Senate regulating the trade in hedgehog skins.

  • Poland: European hedgehogs are protected and cannot be kept as pets. Four-toed hedgehogs may legally be kept as pets.
  • France: European hedgehogs are protected; no species of hedgehog may be kept as pets.
  • Spain: European hedgehogs are protected and cannot be kept as pets. Four-toed hedgehogs are illegal and considered an exotic invasive species.
  • Sweden: European hedgehogs are protected and cannot be kept as pets. Four-toed hedgehogs may legally be kept as pets.
  • United Kingdom: European hedgehogs are protected and cannot be kept as pets. Four-toed hedgehogs may legally be kept as pets.
  • United States:
  • In Idaho and Oregon – European hedgehogs cannot be kept as pets. Four-toed hedgehogs may legally be kept as pets.
  • In New Jersey and Wyoming – a permit is required.
  • In Wisconsin – an import permit from the state department of agriculture is required to bring a hedgehog into the state.
  • In Fairfax County, Virginia, it became legal to keep hedgehogs as pets in 2019.

The nose can display a variety of symptoms of a troubled hedgehog, especially respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia. In many cases, the form of pneumonia that affects hedgehogs is bacterial in nature. If acted upon quickly, antibiotics can have a very positive effect. Signs to watch for include bubbles, excessive dripping, or constant sneezing.

Hedgehogs usually react to stress with temporary digestive disorders that include vomiting and green feces.