spending time with hedgie?

[hedgie_austin]

I'm really very interested in getting a hedgehog - the more I read the more I like them - but I want to make sure I can take care of it properly. :)

They also require a large amount of stimulation and out of cage exercise/play time to remain healthy and happy. If you are not able to dedicate several hours a day to playing with your hedgehog and making certain they are stimulated and happy then they are not the right pet for you.

So, I can certainly play with a hedgehog every day. And do all the cleanup/feeding/etc tasks. And I was planning on getting a hedgie ball so they could spend extra time out of the cage when I'm studying (I'd barricade the hedgie ball in a safe location in the same room I'm in). But I won't have multiple hours every single day to pay close attention to the hedgehog. More like shorter periods of time throughout the day. Which may not add up to several hours each day. If I got a very large cage (6.5 sq feet) and a wide variety of toys, would the hedgie be ok? How much time do you spend with your hedgies?

[hemi_mygirl]

On average, I spend about 3 hours a day with my hedgie, where she just sleeps on my lap while I play around on the computer. We bond during that time, because she's so relaxed.

Then, for about an hour and a half a night (before I go to sleep), she has her floor time. That's where I sit on the floor with her and supervise while she plays with her TP roll, or just explores.

Of course, mine only has a 3.6 square foot cage. With a cage the size you're thinking of building with lots of toys, your hedgie should be fine with just the minimum of one hour of out of cage time a night. Please mind that that is only the minimum and more is recommended for a happy hedgie. The more you can spend with them, the better.

[CaptainWhitaker]

On average, I spend about 3 hours a day with my hedgie, where she just sleeps on my lap while I play around on the computer. We bond during that time, because she's so relaxed.

Then, for about an hour and a half a night (before I go to sleep), she has her floor time. That's where I sit on the floor with her and supervise while she plays with her TP roll, or just explores.

Of course, mine only has a 3.6 square foot cage. With a cage the size you're thinking of building with lots of toys, your hedgie should be fine with just the minimum of one hour of out of cage time a night. Please mind that that is only the minimum and more is recommended for a happy hedgie. The more you can spend with them, the better.


Hehehe, she's right. If you have the time to play/love your Hedgie, do it! Think of it this way. You won't own a Hedgie. The Hedgie will own you!

[hedgie_austin]

On average, I spend about 3 hours a day with my hedgie, where she just sleeps on my lap while I play around on the computer. We bond during that time, because she's so relaxed.

Then, for about an hour and a half a night (before I go to sleep), she has her floor time. That's where I sit on the floor with her and supervise while she plays with her TP roll, or just explores.

Of course, mine only has a 3.6 square foot cage. With a cage the size you're thinking of building with lots of toys, your hedgie should be fine with just the minimum of one hour of out of cage time a night. Please mind that that is only the minimum and more is recommended for a happy hedgie. The more you can spend with them, the better.

Well I can manage an hour a day. And I can manage more than an hour on a regular basis. Just can't guarantee every day. Your hedgie sleeps on your lap? Is that during daytime? If the hedgie would sleep/cuddle/not run around and get into trouble while I worked at the computer that would certainly increase out of cage time.

[hijo]

yes. They sleep in your lap during the day (mine does at least). That's usually all they want to do until its dark out. As long as the room is brightly lit, and you can hold pretty still when you work, she should sleep soundly in your lap.

HIJO

[mutt]

And I was planning on getting a hedgie ball so they could spend extra time out of the cage when I'm studying (I'd barricade the hedgie ball in a safe location in the same room I'm in).

I would advise against using a hedgie ball. I had one (briefly) for my girl and it didn't go over too well. She would run a few steps and then get her toes caught in the air slits. It got so bad one night that when I took her out, her poor toes were all bloody. Aside from that, she seemed to get exhausted pretty quickly in it and would sometimes press her nose against one of the air slits as if she was having trouble breathing or feeling overheated, not to mention the fact that they're kinda awkward to clean.

It would be easier on you both to hedgie-proof part of the room or even get a playpen or kiddie pool for your hedgie to run around and explore in. And, like others have all ready suggested, your hedgie will probably be more than content to curl up in a blanket with you while you study!

[Super Chin]

There are a bunch of great websites to do research on including my website, www.hedgehogcentral.com , www.pogstarhedgehogs.com (which is known for its food reviews) www.hedgehogworld.com , www.freewebs.com/thehedgieden
Hope everything goes well with you getting a hedgie, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask. :)

[Hedge_girl]

*cough* I tried to get mine out to bond with me a few nights ago. "Bonding" in this case meant sitting with inside a special blanket that I have and sleeping while I did stuff on the computer. It "worked" for about 5 minutes and then she couldn't stand it anymore and started exploring. This was around 6pm though she doesn't usually get up until 8-10 pm. :\ So, that method of bonding may or may not be quiet depending on the personality of your hog. (Mine isn't really happy unless she is exploring.)

[hemi_mygirl]

Well I can manage an hour a day. And I can manage more than an hour on a regular basis. Just can't guarantee every day. Your hedgie sleeps on your lap? Is that during daytime? If the hedgie would sleep/cuddle/not run around and get into trouble while I worked at the computer that would certainly increase out of cage time.

Oh, she sleeps during the day and will cuddle up under my chin at night. She's just a really cuddly girl. When she wants down to play, she'll chirp or squeak at me. She's quite vocal.

Quick question though...could you manage about 30 minutes a day? Everyday? I think that's about as close as one can cut it for minimum bonding time daily. This is especially important when the hedgie is getting used to it's new home.

[hemi_mygirl]

yes. They sleep in your lap during the day (mine does at least). That's usually all they want to do until its dark out. As long as the room is brightly lit, and you can hold pretty still when you work, she should sleep soundly in your lap.

HIJO

LOL. Exactly. Mine will stretch right out on her belly, with her back legs hanging out.