Hedgehog playtime is one of the best parts of owning a hedgie. Peggy loves to come out and will play until she literally falls asleep in the middle of her play area. True Story. I have bought and made her all kinds of toys but she absolutely ignores everything but tubes. She only uses the other toys as obstacles to maneuver the tubes around. Her tube collection consists of old toilet paper/paper towel rolls and two store bought larger ones with fluff inside. Giving her a variety of tubes gives her some choice when she is playing and if one gets stuck and she is frustrated she will tootle over and play with another one.
It is important to create a secure area for play time so that she can't get stuck or lost behind furniture or the fridge. I have 2 wire enclosures linked up to create a play zone that she can't escape so that I don't have to 100% supervise her when she is out. Playtime usually goes for an hour or so depending on when she stops. If she is playing hard I let her keep going until she tires herself out and curls up again. Hedgehogs require a minimum of 30 minutes out of the cage a day to maintain good health and prevent depression.
Ideas for toys:
- Tubes!
- Egg carton cups cut into singles (only cardboard kind)
- Small Balls
- Balls of paper
- Solid surface exercise wheel (her legs would get tangled in a wire wheel)
- Ferret/Rabbit/Cat toys
- Wheeled small cars and trucks
- More Tubes!
It is a good idea to also have a toy or two in her cage and/or an exercise wheel so she can play whenever she feels like it. Otherwise it is a boring existence for your pet.
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