Cage height - 2007/10/09 21:24OK I'm narrowing down my search... I've sadly spent every spare moment while I wait for a hedgehog exhaustively pestering people for information and searching the internet for the perfect cage and supplies.
I'm just wondering if 14" is too short for the cage? Is 20" too tall?Check out Ham's Blog !
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
jick
User
Posts: 295
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/09 21:36I should probably mention that my main concern was the hedgie climbing up the wall and falling off. Does that ever happen?Check out Ham's Blog !
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
zorra578
User
Posts: 405
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/09 22:15I originally worried about the same thing. Height is of no importance to a hedgehog as anything for them to climb on can pose a safety risk. A 20 inch tall cage seems like overkill, it isn't really necessary to have a cage of that height when everything a hedgie needs should be on the ground level. I would say the shortest possible cage you can get and still comfortably fit an 11 or 12 inch wheel in should be fine. Just make sure to get a cage with at least 2 square feet of floorspace, that is really the key to making a happy hedgie.
As for climbing, yes it can be dangerous. Climbing depends on the hedgie really so it won't show until your hedge's personality shows. I was initially worried both about climbing and a small hedgie head getting stuck between the bars of my cage so I covered the bottom two rows of bars with vinyl. You can check it out in an old post of mine going through similar woes that you are now:
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
CThogs
Admin
Posts: 1559
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/10 05:23I should probably mention that my main concern was the hedgie climbing up the wall and falling off. Does that ever happen?
Most hedgehogs will not climb the walls if they have a wheel to keep them busy There are exceptions though.
I'm just wondering if 14" is too short for the cage? Is 20" too tall?
Another concern about cage height will be if the wheel will fit or not. Usually it is easiest if you pick out both the wheel and cage together or get the wheel first and then the cage to make sure everything fits nicely. Allow for beddding at the bottom of the cage when you measure the height of the wheel if the wheel has a stand.Ann Connecticut Hedgehogs
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
jick
User
Posts: 295
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/12 10:57Ok. I've narrowed it down (for now at least) to two different cages:
a) 32"x20" but it's only 14" tall = 640 square inches or 4.44 square feet. b) 40"x18" and it's 20" tall = 720 square inches or 5 square feet
The minimum recommended size is 2 square feet, so I should be fine with either of these choices (assuming my math is correct) as long as I supplement his cage with playpens and whatnot. So all I really should be basing my choice on is which cage will hold the best wheel I can find.
I felt like the cages I was looking at were all kinda small but I can't imagine how small 2 square feet is! That would be 12"x24". EEP!
Post edited by: jick, at: 2007/10/12 10:59Check out Ham's Blog !
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
clutterbuster
User
Posts: 513
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/12 12:59If your cage is the type where the top comes off the tray, 14 - 20 inches high is fine. Height is only an issue when you have to reach down inside.
P-k came with a 24 inch long cage, waaaay too short, even the bin at 30 is not generous but will do if you don't have a really active hedgie (Max is not, but P-k does laps so her wheel has to be away from the back wall).
I would try to go with a cage longer than thirty inches.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
CThogs
Admin
Posts: 1559
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/12 18:26So all I really should be basing my choice on is which cage will hold the best wheel I can find. If you are using a wheel with a stand 14" may be too short. I haven't had a problem cages 16" or more but some wheels don't fit in the shorter ones.Ann Connecticut Hedgehogs
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
krazieness_2
User
Posts: 44
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/27 15:49so would a cage thats 47x23x20 be way too big? because i ordered one for my hedgie.its like 7 sq ft..
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
CThogs
Admin
Posts: 1559
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/27 17:28I don't think its too big if you have the space for the cage. Your hedgehog will appreciate the extra room to run and play.Ann Connecticut Hedgehogs
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
HamorHollow
Admin
Posts: 2173
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/28 00:54The Marichioro cages are the best. Definitely worth the cost.
As far as climbing the walls..... Frankly I can't figure out why people make such a big deal over it. Hedgehogs are very durable (which doesn't mean you can throw them out a 2 story window). They climb, they fall, they bounce, they climb again. It's like a kind on a jungle gym.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Boden
User
Posts: 77
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/28 12:49I know Baron took a dive off the futon the other night and landed on the hard linolium floor - I don't recommend letting the hedgie do this and I'll be keeping a closer eye on him next time, but he shook it off and started chasing the cat.
So there really isn't much worry if a Hedgehog falls a foot once or twice - and usually if they have stuff to keep them occupied most hedgies won't play the rock climber game on their cage.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
what's the big fuss about having a platform in your cage then? I know many people say it's "dangerous" but how can a 6-8" fall be any worse then a 20" fall off of the wall? Check out Ham's Blog !
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
HamorHollow
Admin
Posts: 2173
Re:Cage height - 2007/10/28 14:16I'm more of the mind set that hedgehogs don't tend to use upper levels, so the only purpose they serve is blocking the view.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
omelette
User
Posts: 435
Re:Cage height - 2008/01/23 19:08i've got a very short upper level in my hedgies cage. and she uses it every now and then. she pretty much just likes to run up and down it. but i've never seen her try to climb the walls of the cage. i'd say if you're really all that worried about it, maybe you should opt for a sterlite container. and i agree that height isn't all that much of an issue. as long as all the accessories you plan on putting in that cage will fit.Lisa My Heart Belongs to: Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats Omelette - Hedgehog Basil - Guinea Pig
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
jick
User
Posts: 295
Re:Cage height - 2008/01/23 20:29Since I wrote my original question I've purchased a single level marchioro. Ironically enough, Ham has never even climbed above the plastic tray part of the cage!Check out Ham's Blog !
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Hedgehog Forums 
There are exceptions though.
EEP!
