Finding a good toy for hedgehogs is an arduous task, because, although hedgehogs are becoming more and more popular as pets, the truth is that many people are still unaware of the characteristics and care that this animal needs. For example, and as you will see in this article on our site, hedgehogs are very curious animals, which play with a wide variety of toys.
So, this means that if you care for a hedgehog, you should give it toys that provide environmental enrichment to be entertaining and happy. It is for this reason that below we present the best toys for hedgehogs, so you can give your little friend the best care.
Why should you buy toys for your hedgehog?
Hedgehogs are curious animals, which, living in captivity, cannot perform all the activities or receive all the stimulation that they would have in the wild.
It is for this reason that, as the owner, you must ensure that your hedgehog exercises and entertains himself daily, in order to provide him with the care he deserves and not feel frustrated and unhappy Toys exist precisely for this purpose, as they provide the physical and mental stimulation that your pet needs, promoting their natural behavior, developing their senses and, in short, taking care of their well-being.
And if you have recently adopted your hedgehog, you may be interested in reading this other article on Basic care of a hedgehog.
Accessories for hedgehogs
For your hedgehog to be he althy and happy, it is important that you provide him with elements in his cage (which should be as large as possible), as this is surely where he spends most of the day, to so you can exercise and entertain yourself, avoiding boredom. For this purpose, we advise you to add the following accessories for hedgehogs:
Hedgehog house
Cabins are essential accessories for your hedgehog, because these animals like to take refuge and settle in their little nest, feeling safe and shelteredwhile resting.
Hedgehog tunnel
Hedgehogs love tunnels because these animals love to explore all kinds of corners and hide. Your hedgehog may even end up sleeping inside it.
Therefore, acquiring one or more tunnels for your pet is always a good idea, as long as they are large enough for your hedgehog to enter and exit without problemsYou can also buy a tunnel that has several entrances and exits to provide more play for your little one.
Stairs and Platforms
One way to keep your hedgehog fit is to add to his cage multi-level surfaces and ladders so he can move between them.
In addition, it is recommended that the food, water, kennel and other accessories are distributed in different points of the cage, so that your hedgehog has to move to get there and stay thus active.
There are in stores cages already designed with this intention, with different platforms that encourage the hedgehog to move. But if you buy stairs for your hedgehog, make sure they are resistant, proportional to their body and weight, and obviously, that they are stable and safe for your pet.
Hedgehog wheel
Surely, when you think of a wheel for hedgehogs this toy for hamsters comes to mind, and in fact it is practically the same. The wheel is a very popular toy, because it allows your hedgehog to exercise, especially at night, since that's when it tends to be most active and when, obviously, reasons, you can't devote as much attention to it.
When you buy a wheel for hedgehogs, make sure it's big enough for it, since the vast majority you'll find in stores are probably for small rodents (hamsters, mice, gerbils…). And since you most likely won't find a wheel specifically for hedgehogs, due to their low popularity as pets, you might want to look for one for rats
Finally, it is not recommended that the surface of the wheel be mesh or with bars, as it could get caught and hurt. So make sure you get a wheel that has the smooth surface.
Candy holder toys
In nature, there is obviously no bowl or plate full of food from which hedgehogs feed, but usually these animals have to be active daily in search of food throughthe senses , staying physically and mentally stimulated. It is for this reason that, by providing a toy from which to get the food, you partially simulate this activity
There is a wide range of toys that can contain food inside. And although not all of them are specially designed for hedgehogs, you can surely find some in stores that can provide the stimulation for which these toys are designed, as well as to satisfy their curiosity An example of this class of toys are the food dispensing balls , with holes from which the food or snacks for hedgehogs come out every time they are pushed up and down. Or also the Kong of small size , usually designed for ferrets.
If you notice that your hedgehog doesn't eat much, not even treats, you may be interested in reading this other article on My hedgehog doesn't eat - Causes and solutions.
Hedgehog Exercise Ball
Surely you have ever seen in a pet store a kind of sphere with a lid that can be opened and closed.
These spheres or balls, available in different sizes, are specially designed so that your pet can walk around outside his cage with complete safety, exercising and exploring your environment without hiding in a corner or running away from home.
Now, that doesn't mean you don't have to watch him while he rolls up and down the house, because anything unforeseen could happen that endanger your pet. In the same way, if your house has several floors with stairs, obviously you will have to put some obstacle so that it cannot fall and hurt itself, or leave it on the ground floor, where there is no risk.
Finally, it is not recommended to leave him inside the ball for a long time, especially in summer, because he will not have access to food or water In addition, it can also get dirty with its own feces if you leave it for a long time without the option to relieve itself outside the ball (and, obviously, dirty the floor).
And if your hedgehog has gotten very dirty, we encourage you to read this other article on How to bathe a hedgehog?
Hedgehog Chew Toy
Not all hedgehogs love to chew, and besides, these animals don't need to gnaw on objects to keep their teeth he althy, unlike of other small mammals. However, if you notice that your pet is especially prone to this activity, it is always a good option to give him toys that he can chew at ease, so that he does not destroy other unsuitable items.
For this reason, you can buy various wooden toys in pet stores, which are 100% safe and natural for your hedgehog, since they have been specially designed for the safety and well-being of rodents such as guinea pigs or rabbits.
If you have a hedgehog, don't miss this other article on Curiosities of hedgehogs!
Homemade toys for hedgehogs
If you dare to try offering your hedgehog toys made by yourself with recycled materials, here are some ideas of homemade hedgehog toys:
Homemade tunnel for hedgehogs
The first toy that you can try to make, and with which your hedgehog will be delighted, is a tunnel. This one, moreover, will be very simple to make, since you will only need one (or several, if you want to make more than one tunnel) medium cardboard box.
To make the tunnel, you must take the box, open it at both ends and flatten it so that there is a cylindrical shape If you also want expand the tunnel, you just have to join several boxes with the same shape with tape. We do not recommend that you use glue or similar products, as it could be toxic to your hedgehog.
Refillable nest for hedgehogs
For this toy you will need another box, but this time a bit bigger. And you can make a nest for your hedgehog by following these simple steps:
- Close the bottom of the box with tape.
- With the help of scissors or a cutter, make a hole on one side through which your hedgehog can pass.
- Fill the box with shavings or crumpled up strips of paper so that your hedgehog feels comfortable inside.
- Optionally, you can try to join the tunnel we described earlier to the nest entrance. Adding even more inputs and outputs to the box.
Finally, you can add inside the nest hidden prizes or food, so that your hedgehog has to use its sense of smell to find them. In this way, your hedgehog will develop this sense by fostering its natural behavior, providing great moments of entertainment.
Homemade prize ball for hedgehogs
As you've seen, treat toys are a great way to provide mental stimulation to your pet. It is for this reason that you can try to make a ball similar to the one you would find in a store, at home.
To do this, you must take a tennis ball or pin-pon, for example, and with the help of a cutter (and very carefully), make holes big enough for the food to come out once your hedgehog tries to get his treat.
Homemade hedgehog food dispenser roll
Another, even cheaper way to make a prize holder toy, is to try to do the same with a used roll of paper.
This time you will have to make small holes in the roll with the help of scissors, through which the treats can easily come out in the roll.
However, since the roll is not airtight, unlike the ball, you'll need to close both ends by folding them inwards, obtaining a concave shape, so you can open and close these ends to add food. Next, we leave you the step by step of this toy for hedgehogs.
Recommendations for purchasing a toy for hedgehogs
As you have seen, there are many options you can choose to provide great moments of fun for your pet. Now, as you have seen, not all toys have been specifically designed for hedgehogs because these are still a world to explore when it comes to the creation of items aimed at their entertainment. This can lead to many mistakes, which can put your child's physical integrity at risk and, therefore, you should take into account several points before purchasing a toy for your hedgehog:
Size
The toys you choose should be proportional to their size so that they fulfill their function correctly. Therefore, avoid toys for small rodents.
Security
You must thoroughly ensure that the toy you purchase is completely safe for your pet:
- It must not have sharp or abrasive elements.
- Must not contain small parts that can be detached and swallowed.
- It must be resistant so that it cannot break easily and release pieces. Also, if the toy is worn, it will be removed as soon as possible.
- It must not contain toxic substances, such as paint.
- There should be no risk of getting caught or pinched.
Meet your hedgehog
As you have seen, not all hedgehogs entertain themselves in the same way. Some like to chew while others are quieter and prefer to hide in tunnels. Understanding your hedgehog and knowing what activities he prefers to perform daily, will be key when choosing the best toys for him.
