Taking Hedgie Outdoors? Playpen Ideas?

[hedgiesrluvd]

Hi all,

It seems I've run across several pictures lately of hedgies outdoors (in the grass, in outdoor flower pots, exploring the yard, etc.). Is this an okay thing to do? What are the pros or cons of letting hedgie explore (supervised, of course) outdoors in the summer? Are mites a big consideration, or will the regular treatments (preventative) take care of that? I'm just curious. My grandpa (also the landlord of where I live) has promised to put up a porch swing this summer on my outdoor porch (not screened in). Would it be okay to take Ci Wei (my hedgie) out there with me while I read, etc., or even let him explore a little bit? How big of a problem is it if they decide to run? I know Ci Wei is a fast runner, but since he's usually on my lap or in my hands when he decides to make a bolt for freedom, I don't know how quickly he would or could move in the open. This probably sounds like a crazy question, but it's one I've wondered about as the weather here gets warmer.

Also, I'm curious as to what (if any) playpens you guys have used and found to work well with hedgies (indoors and/or outdoors, with supervision). I want one with plenty of room for Ci Wei to explore and play in the evenings inside here, but also one where if I leave the room for a second to answer a phone or something, I don't have to worry about him escaping right away. Any ideas/suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!

-Brooke

[Pringlesmom]

I get a little nervous taking my hedgies outside too. Yesterday it was so beautiful that I couldn't help myself so I took Scoops outside with the camera. I held him mostly and let him feel the breeze. I let him run on the driveway (in close proximity to me) for a few minutes, but then picked him up again. I don't let him run through the leaves or the dirt. I am always afraid that a big bird will swoop down or something so I try not to leave him down without me holding him for long. If you are getting a porch with a swing, that's awesome. If you are on anything but the first floor, I would make sure there aren't any holes or crevices that your hedgie could fall from before you let him roam himself. If you are on the first floor, I would still let him roam, but have your full attention on him since, like you said, hedgies are fast, and if you look up from your book, you might not know where he went. I have one of those different color metal playpens that you can buy from petsmart. It works ok, but many hedgies have mastered the art of climbing over it. When I brought Scoops in yesterday, I washed his feet with some baby shampoo before I put him back to bed, just incase he had anything on them from the outside. Hope this helps. Oh, I also have a little travel cage that has wires at the top, so if all else fails, get one of those, keep it on your porch, and read on your swing while you hedgie can be safely in his cage, but still experience the outside.

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/7471/scoopsoutside176xc.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scoopsoutside176xc.jpg)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3254/scoopsoutside76am.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scoopsoutside76am.jpg)

[illinidairychic]

When you take them out becareful about them rooting around for bugs. You don't know what pesticides that bug could have walked through before reaching your hedgehog. Also make sure to keep a close eye on them or use a play pen. They are pretty quick when they want to be. And also remember that just because it feels warm for you doesn't mean it is warm enough for them ;)

[hedgiesrluvd]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info. My porch is on the first floor, so there's nowhere for Ci Wei to fall from, so that much should be okay. I like the idea of a cage with a wire top, so Ci Wei can be safe while I read outside, and still enjoy the outside air. After all, hedgies do most of their exploring with their nose anyway, right? Meaning they don't see well, so they smell things out. ;) Also, I hadn't thought of the possibility of him trying to eat bugs... that's a good thing to know so I can watch out for it. I think what I'll do is keep him in some sort of cage (and watch for bugs in the process) when he's outside and not being held. That way he can't run off, and I'll know he's safe. Thanks!

-Brooke

[HedgeMom]

While the sun may be warm, the ground is still quite cold. Feel the ground before putting your hedgehog on soil and check to make sure that the concrete is not too hot if he's going to be on cement.

Hedgehogs can very quickly disappear; it's paramount that if you don't have a secure area that you keep an eye on them the entire time they are outside. I have heard first hand accounts of hedgehogs disappearing into foundation plantings and not being found.

[hedgie_power]

a laundry basket upside down will do fine

[PrettyHate]

a laundry basket upside down will do fine

I know some of mine would figure out how to get their nose under there and sneak out :) Bosco has also mastered scaling those small multicolored pens from Walmart!

[razzle]

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/7471/scoopsoutside176xc.th.jpg (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scoopsoutside176xc.jpg)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3254/scoopsoutside76am.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scoopsoutside76am.jpg)


awww, Scoops is sooo cute!!!!!

[Pringlesmom]

a laundry basket upside down will do fine

That's a really great idea.

[Pringlesmom]

oh well I guess it's not a great idea for an escape artist, but if you held it down they wouldn't be able to escape. I would never leave it unsupervised.