Midwest · OH
Are hedgehogs legal in Ohio?
Hedgehogs are legal to own as pets in Ohio with no statewide permit required.
Status
Legal
What the law says in Ohio
Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animal Act (passed in 2012, in response to the Zanesville exotic-animal incident) does not include African pygmy hedgehogs in its restricted list. Pet ownership is permitted statewide. Local municipal codes can add restrictions; verify with your city before purchase if you live in Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati.
Where to verify
Always verify the current legal status before purchasing a hedgehog. Laws change, and local municipal codes can add restrictions on top of state law.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources: ohiodnr.gov
Related on this site
Notice anything wrong? Laws change and we miss things. Email hello@myhedgehogcare.com with a link to the source and we’ll update within a week.
We are not lawyers. This page is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify with the relevant state agency before acquiring a pet.