1. Toilet paper tubes: Hedgehogs like to wear them on their head and play "tank." Some hedgies love TP tubes so much that they learn to eat and to drink from a water bottle with the tube on their head!
Many hedgehogs love to play with ping pong balls, lattice bird or cat balls, or small balls with bells inside. Make sure the balls are not sturdy and not easily chewed or damaged. Another version of the plastic ball is a ferret treat ball. As the hedgie pushes around the ball a treat will come out.
Like many pocket pets, hedgehogs love to explore mazes and tunnels. This will keep Hedgie active, and offer him mental stimulation. You can buy labyrinths, or make your own out of shoeboxes or PVC pipe. To make your pet's explorations even more fun for him, hide a snack at the end of the tunnel.
The Need To Chew
Hedgehogs are not rodents, so their teeth do not continue to grow throughout their life. They do not need to wear down their teeth by chewing or gnawing. Hedgehogs are not destructive and do not destroy their surroundings like rodents.
What treats do hedgehogs like? Pygmy hedgehogs love insects, especially mealworms and crickets. Only give up to two insects a day. Introduce one new treat at a time so you can monitor your hedgehog's response to it.
You can put soft hay or dried grass in as bedding, but do also try and leave some fallen leaves around for the hedgehog, not only add to options for bedding but are good places for hedgehogs to find insects and beetles which make up the bulk of their diet.
Talking to your hedgehog while holding, snuggling, bathing, and other enjoyable activities will help your hedgehog associate the sound of your voice with comfort and enjoyment. Over the years we have found the radio and music very soothing for a variety of different animals.
Only solid bottom cages are suitable for hedgehogs, any wire bottom cages could trap their legs or rip off toenails. Provide a soft bedding free of dust, such as recycled paper pellets or if you use wood shavings use only kiln dried pine or aspen. Do not use cedar shavings as they could irritate your hedgehog's lungs.
Every hedgehog has a unique personality, but most aren't interested in human affection. Caretakers note that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a hedgehog to tolerate being held. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp, prickly quills that they use to fend off predators.
Since hedgehogs are solitary animals, they will not get depressed or angry if you do not have loads of time to spend with them. It is important, however, to get your hedgehog out every day to be sure he is not ill or injured.
Hedgehogs prefer a busy, cluttered cage over an empty one. A fun option for hedgehogs is a dig box. You can create one by filling a container with small toys that were mentioned above and creating a hedgehog size doorway into the container.
Hedgehogs mainly eat creepy crawlies
The most important invertebrates in their diet are worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and millipedes. As well as these, they also eat a wide range of other insects.
Those little balls with bells in them can be great fun for your prickly pet. Hedgehogs often like stuffed animals, which you can also use kitty toys for. Just be sure to pick ones that don't have any catnip in them.
Handling and Playing with your Hedgehog
Hedgehogs should be played with a minimum of 30 minutes per day. This will keep them tame, accustomed to your scent, and friendly. You can let them run around in a playpen, box, or just run around you (supervised at all times).
It's a good idea to put out food for hedgehogs all year round. In spring, it will be a boost for those emerging from hibernation, while in late summer and autumn it will help hogs build up those all-important fat reserves to survive the winter.
You can actually keep the lid off the enclosure as long as you do not have children or other pets who can get into the container.
Essential Oils: I have been advised that oils that are considered "hot" are toxic to hedgehogs. Oils that are considered hot: Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Hyssop, Lemongrass, Ocotea, Oregano, Peppermint, Thieves, and Thyme. These are often contained in blends.
Signs of stress
The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.” The hedgehog might give you a warning bite if the first two signs are overlooked.
If a noise is loud to you, it is probably too loud for your hedgehog as well. Observe the sounds your hedgehog is making towards you as well. If he is purring, he is happy and content.
If you are buying bedding for your hedgehog house, look for something as close to their natural nesting materials as possible. Hay comes out tops for hedgehog bedding in this category, and there are plenty of options to choose from.
Acceptable bedding materials include shredded paper, newspaper, recycled pelleted/absorbable material, and wood shavings, such as aspen or untreated pine. Avoid corncob bedding as it tends to grow mold when wet.
their ears, chin, along the edge of their quill line or skirt, belly fur or feet.