Is it a good idea to buy a nursing or pregnant female?
In general, absolutely not. Unfortunately, you can’t always tell if a pet shop animal is pregnant. A nursing female should never be bought except from a breeder with excellent references, and even then only by a very experienced owner. The stress of travel is never good for lactating or expecting sows. It also helps to take time to get to know the hog before taking on the added difficulties of hoglets. If you find yourself in such a position, take a deep breath, get out your hedgehog book, and leave the sow alone as much as possible. Provide plenty of food and water, along with a large nesting box. For more suggestions, click the links in the section above this one.
