Well, you see, I am looking into owning a HedgeHog.
I've done hours of research on them, and should be getting one anywhere in the next 6 or so months. I know this is ways away, but I figure it is a good thing to prepared in knowing what purchases I will be making before the arrival of a little hedgie.
It is to my understanding that hedgies need quite a bit of ground space to be happy little critters. I also have read multiple articles and posts warning new owners not to choose a multiple floored cage. So, I was thinking about one of these two cages.
I realize that the second one is huge, and so if the first one is good, I'd most likely like to go with that, because, well, let's just say my pocket isn't exactly overflowing with bills.
So, if one of these two are good, or if you guys have a better suggestion, I would greatly appreciate your sharing it with me!
Thanks!Hey! I'm a soon to be Hedgie owner! But for now, I have a 3 and a half year old dwarf hamster, Yoshi. I also have two cats both around the age of three; Nicky and Boo. Hope to see you on the boards!
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jick
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Posts: 296
Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good cage? - 2008/01/22 18:55One VERY important thing to look for in a cage the ability to open the top up. Without that it will be very difficult to get his wheel in and out for daily cleaning. I know that some of the super pet cages have tops that open but not all do, so take a look at one in the store if you can first. I use a Marchioro and it's been great so far so I would recommend that. The price is a little higher but you can definitely tell a difference in quality. Good Luck! Check out Ham's Blog !
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You see, I own a dwarf hamster right now (I've had a pair that stayed with me for 2 years, then a single who was my little sweetie who lasted 4.5 years, and now I have another single, Yoshi, who is going on 3.5), and he is living in a 20 gall long aquarium.
Unfortunatley, he is starting to get lethargic...and well, I can feel him leaving me. This makes me teary just typing about it. You see, I am 3 months from being 14, and I know this seems young, but without boasting, I can say that I am unlike others of my age group when it comes to pets.
Anyways, that's not the point. The point is is that I have a 20 gall long tank, and I was wondering if this is good to keep around for my Hedgie? Here in Washington, the weather can get chilly at times, and I was thinking I could use it as a (non permanent) cage for maybe when the temp creeps down a bit. Though, the temp in my room is usually between 71 and 78. Do you think this is a good idea? I wouln't want to stress the guy out changing homes in random cold spurts either, though.
Well, anyway, if this isn't a good idea, would it be good to still keep around for another Hedgie related use? Thanks much!Hey! I'm a soon to be Hedgie owner! But for now, I have a 3 and a half year old dwarf hamster, Yoshi. I also have two cats both around the age of three; Nicky and Boo. Hope to see you on the boards!
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Anyways, that's not the point. The point is is that I have a 20 gall long tank, and I was wondering if this is good to keep around for my Hedgie? Here in Washington, the weather can get chilly at times, and I was thinking I could use it as a (non permanent) cage for maybe when the temp creeps down a bit. Though, the temp in my room is usually between 71 and 78. Do you think this is a good idea? I wouln't want to stress the guy out changing homes in random cold spurts either, though.
Well, anyway, if this isn't a good idea, would it be good to still keep around for another Hedgie related use? Thanks much!
You definitly do not want to keep your hedgie in a tank. There is not enough ventilation in it and smells would soon get quite bad. I think that most hedgies are happier if they have consistency in their lives, so I think that constantly switching you hedgehog will not be good for it. If you would like your hedgie to stay warm you can get a heating pad for it. I hope that this helps you.http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=106956777
I figured this would be true, and I know the LAST thing I would want to do is stress my little one out.
Okay, I'll keep the aquarium around for a bit, you know, incase it ever becomes useful.
Also, could you please tell me a good size of spacing between wires for Hedgie cages? I would not want a hurt or lost hedgehog.
Thanks!Hey! I'm a soon to be Hedgie owner! But for now, I have a 3 and a half year old dwarf hamster, Yoshi. I also have two cats both around the age of three; Nicky and Boo. Hope to see you on the boards!
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zorra578
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Posts: 405
Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/22 22:45I would recommend a good Marchioro cage, I lot of hedgie sites say that 1 inch spacings between the bars are too big, but escape and caught hedgies are rare and many people on this site, including breeders, use them with no problems.
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jick
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Posts: 296
Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/23 00:02Maybe you could use your 20 gallon tank and fill it halfway with fleece scraps. I'm sure your hedgie would like to dig around in something like that every now and then, especially if you hide some little treats around it for him/her. Right now I have a little sterilite tub that I use for that but I'm sure a glass tank would work fine. It would be a lot heavier though!Check out Ham's Blog !
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smhufflepuff
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Posts: 182
Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/23 08:00I definitely agree with zorra that the Marchioro's are good cages. I have the Tommy 120... it's about 4' long with a big top door that opens to get the wheel in and out.
And I'd keep the 20 gallon tank around - maybe toss in the fleece strips like jick suggested - for when you need to clean your little one's home and need to put him/her in a safe escape-proof place for awhile.
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whitetiger55
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Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/23 22:17Thanks for all of the wonderful suggestions! I will definetley look around for that cage, I've heard lots about it and it seems to be good to me.
I just care that my Hedgie will be happy, healthy, and safe!
And I think I will keep the ol' tank around, just incase.
Ooh. Sorry, 'nother question. Is fleece okay for Hedgies? I was wondering also what accessories should the guy have? I know a wheel, food bowl, water bottle, and toys which he can manipulate and that can hold a hedgehog's attention. But...I'd also love to buy him a "cozy" toy or two, such as anything from a ferret hammock to a blanket to snuggle up in. Is this a good idea? I've heard things about such fabrics that can pose a risk to Hedgies, and I would not want that. So, are hammocks and small blankets and other cozies safe and or at all usefull (as in, will the hedgie use them most likely?) and if so, what materials should I look out for to or not to get?
Thanks much! Sorry for all the question asking. I just can't stop thinking about Hedgehogs and want to make sure I know everything to know before actually getting one. Hey! I'm a soon to be Hedgie owner! But for now, I have a 3 and a half year old dwarf hamster, Yoshi. I also have two cats both around the age of three; Nicky and Boo. Hope to see you on the boards!
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omelette
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Posts: 488
Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/24 01:26i think any kind of "cozy", as you put it, or blanket that your hedgie can hide in would be a great addition to his/her cage. there was this thread where a hedgie owner posted a pic of a bed she knitted for her hedgie... so if you're crafty you can always just make one out of fleece. and yes fleece is okay. you basically just want to stay away from anything that has loose threads or loops or anything that may be dangerous. i'm not sure that a hedgehog would honestly be interested in a hammock though you can also use an empty tissue box as a hiding place. i gave one to omelette and she loved it. she spent five minutes grabbing shavings to take with her inside and fix the place up.Lisa My Heart Belongs to: Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats Omelette - Hedgehog Basil - Guinea Pig
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Thanks so much! And you should all be shocked to hear that I am actually posting this message with no questions attached!
Thanks so much, guys, you are all SO helpful and friendly!
See you around!
-TigerHey! I'm a soon to be Hedgie owner! But for now, I have a 3 and a half year old dwarf hamster, Yoshi. I also have two cats both around the age of three; Nicky and Boo. Hope to see you on the boards!
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Anyway, so I was wondering, is a playpen neccesary? Also, can I take my future Hedgie outside in my backyard on warm summer afternoons? (we have absolutley no potential predators in the area, except cats...but that isn't a problem if i am sitting right next to the hedgie) and if I can, should I let him explore and eat plants (none are poisonous to humans in our backyard) and bugs as he wishes? I live in Bellevue (Seattle area in Washington) if this helps any.
Thanks!Hey! I'm a soon to be Hedgie owner! But for now, I have a 3 and a half year old dwarf hamster, Yoshi. I also have two cats both around the age of three; Nicky and Boo. Hope to see you on the boards!
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smhufflepuff
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Posts: 182
Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/26 18:25I don't know that a playpen is necessary, but it's worked out as a good idea for my hedgie. She gets more room to explore on the floor during playtime and I don't have to hover over her, worrying about her darting under the couch or somewhere else that would be really difficult to retrieve her from.
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Do you know anything about the outdoors? I heard one person post that they are thinking of letting their hedgie play in their critter ball in the grass, I think this sounds smart, but I'd like some other opinions besides just my own.
Thank you to everyone helping me!Hey! I'm a soon to be Hedgie owner! But for now, I have a 3 and a half year old dwarf hamster, Yoshi. I also have two cats both around the age of three; Nicky and Boo. Hope to see you on the boards!
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jick
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Posts: 296
Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/26 19:37I think the pen is a good idea. While it hasn't been necessary for me it has been convenient if I need to run to the bathroom or whatever for a minute and need a safe spot to put Ham. Also it's fun to hide bugs around the pen under toys and in tubes and whatnot. It seems to stimulate activity, which for Ham, has been necessary.
Outside you need to watch the temperature.The big thing with having a hedgehog eat bugs in your backyard is that you do not know where they came from, meaning that they could be poisoned or carrying disease or something.Check out Ham's Blog !
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omelette
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Re:A soon-to-be hedgie owner looking for a good ca - 2008/01/28 16:28i would advise against letting your hedgie eat anything outside. plants and bugs can be carrying diseases, and could have been sprayed with pesticides. which could prove to be harmful to your hedgie. so if you take him/her outside make sure you are watching at all times. a play pen is a good idea if you want to let your hedgie run about in a restricted area. a critter ball would also be a good idea to let your hedgie run about outside. although neither one is absolutely necessary.Lisa My Heart Belongs to: Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats Omelette - Hedgehog Basil - Guinea Pig
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Hedgehog Forums 
Hope to see you on the boards!
Is fleece okay for Hedgies? I was wondering also what accessories should the guy have? I know a wheel, food bowl, water bottle, and toys which he can manipulate and that can hold a hedgehog's attention. But...I'd also love to buy him a "cozy" toy or two, such as anything from a ferret hammock to a blanket to snuggle up in. 
I just can't stop thinking about Hedgehogs and want to make sure I know everything to know before actually getting one. 
you can also use an empty tissue box as a hiding place. i gave one to omelette and she loved it. she spent five minutes grabbing shavings to take with her inside and fix the place up.
