Even though a pygmy hedgehog might potentially live in a shoebox, doing so would be an inhumane way to provide for its housing needs. Hedgehogs are natural hunters and can be rather energetic at times. Because of this, they enjoy moving quickly from place to place.
One possibility to take into consideration is a glass enclosure resembling an aquarium; however, you should keep such a cage out of the direct line of sunshine, as a hedgehog that becomes overheated can quickly have a deadly stroke.
It is recommended that you keep the enclosure for your pet in a room that has adequate air circulation; nevertheless, you should take care to keep it away from drafts. A cage made of wire mesh is preferable to a cage made of glass.
While you might not be able to find such a cage on the market that is advertised as a cage for hedgehogs, a cage that is advertised as a cage for baby rabbits would work just fine. Since hedgehogs are not known to be very adept climbers, you might not want a top, particularly for an enclosure made of glass.
A wire cage that contains a tray is simple to clean, particularly if the tray can be removed without much effort. In any case, there must be a sturdy floor within the cage so as to shield anyone with sensitive feet.
Different Types of Cages
The enclosure that you decide to provide for your hedgehog is a very crucial choice to make. This will be the environment in which your hedgehog spends most of its time. It is necessary that it be cozy. In order to prevent any injury to the feet, the flooring must be stable, even, and never made of wire. Your hedgehog will require room to roam and play in order to be healthy. We encourage everyone to utilize their own sound judgment. If the space inside the cage appears to be insufficient for your pet, provide him with opportunities to exercise outside the cage.
Bear in mind that hedgehogs are very good at finding ways to get away from captivity. Check to see that your crate has a lock on it. Your animal will be able to escape through such a little opening. If it can get its head through, the rest of it will do so without any trouble.
You have a variety of choices available to you, and there are many of them. We are unable to determine which of the two options is superior. It depends entirely on your decision.
- “The Tub”
They are made of plastic, and you can locate them pretty much wherever. They are manufactured by Rubbermaid and are known for their long-lasting quality. People that keep a large number of hedgehogs will find that they are well within their budget. Because they are simple to clean and maneuver, they are an excellent option. The tub has to be see-through so that it can let light in, and it must be long enough to provide your hedgehog with the necessary amount of space.
- The aquarium
Although it is more expensive, the aquarium can provide a large amount of area for your hedgehog. Because it is heavier, it makes the aquarium more difficult to maneuver around. Your hedgehog will like the visibility and the natural light, and it will be simple to clean. The lack of ventilation in this style of the cage is a potential issue.
- Ferret Cage
Your hedgehog will have more than enough area to roam thanks to the fact that there are numerous floors to explore. They are simple to clean, don’t cause any issues with ventilation, and come with a plastic floor that is risk-free for your hedgehog to walk on. If you have the room for such a cage, your hedgehog will live out its days in complete contentment.
- Rabbit Cage
It comes in a variety of lengths and sizes, and you need to be sure that it has firm flooring. Your hedgehog is a capable climber, so keep a close check on him at all times. He will spend a lot of time trying to scale the bars of his enclosure, which could lead to injuries.
The bedding
Hardwood chips are occasionally superior to pine chips as a bedding material; however, you should make an effort to get chips that have a low level of dust. Pine chips make a great bedding material. Avoid using cedar chips, as well as chips made from any other type of aromatic wood. One such alternative is pellets that are fabricated from recycled paper. When choosing a bedding material, it is important to remember that hedgehogs enjoy digging burrows. Any hedgehog can quickly become accustomed to drinking from a drip bottle that is attached to the side of its enclosure. A water bowl has a high propensity to be knocked over or waded in on a regular basis, so the water inside of it will need to be replaced on a regular basis. As a meal bowl, you’ll need something compact but sturdily made out of plastic. It is highly possible that it will also go over, but your hedgehog won’t be picky about eating food that has fallen to the ground.
You are welcome to set aside one of the enclosure’s corners for use as a litter tray or litter box. Hedgehogs are naturally very clean small creatures, so the majority of them will learn the routine very quickly. They will select a single location within their cage to use as a bathroom, and they will do their business there.
A segment of PVC pipe or a PVC connecter that is big enough for the hedgehog to enter can function as a home for the animal. Alternatively, a small cardboard box, such as one end of a cereal box, can also serve this purpose. There are times when hedgehogs want to be left alone. Some people, in point of fact, will spend the majority of the day inside their homes and go out exploring at night. Even though hedgehogs are not the same thing as squirrels, they will make excellent use of an exercise wheel or a cage designed for squirrels that have been placed in their enclosure. They will engage in a lot of physical activity, and it will appear that they enjoy it.
Find out which types of bedding are safe and which ones could be harmful to your hedgehog.
- Wood Shaving – CEDAR
Do not be deceived by the pleasant aroma. After a few days of being confined in there, your hedgehog may find the pungent odor offensive. The usage of cedar shavings as bedding can lead to a variety of health issues for both you and the animal you are caring for. Cedar causes reactions in a high percentage of persons. Even if it is available at a lower cost, our best recommendation is that you stay away from cedar.
- Wood Shaving – PINE
Pine is a better and more acceptable option. This species of wood presents less of an allergen risk to hedgehogs. Pine that has been treated loses its pungent odor and becomes more resistant to infestation by mites and diseases.
- Wood Shaving – ASPEN
However, you should be aware that the price will be somewhat higher if you choose to stay in Aspen. If you only have one hedgehog, you should probably spring for some high-quality bedding to ensure his comfort. The majority of breeders go with an alternative approach in order to cut costs.
- Corn Cob
The usefulness of corn on the cob is the subject of a great deal of discussion. Corn cob is much simpler to maintain compared to wood shavings, despite the fact that it provides less comfort. The only thing left for you to do is clean up the waste left behind by your hedgehog. Once the corn cob becomes moist, it has the potential to rot and smell awful. Corn on the cob has been known to become lodged in the penis of some males on rare occasions. If there isn’t any help, the male has a good chance of passing away. Corn on the cob can be an excellent option when all of these safety measures are adhered to.
- Towel
A towel that has been folded is an excellent choice because it is both absorbent and gentle. Things only require that you tidy it up. It will save you a significant amount of money and is good for the environment. Watch the threads on the towel very carefully. Your hedgehog’s feet could get hurt if they walk on a towel that’s very worn out.
- Paper
Could you kindly forget about the newspaper? If your hedgehog consumes paper, the ink could cause him to get quite ill. Cutting the paper into little bits is something that is not recommended by us. Your pet may attempt to ingest it or suffocate itself if it gets a hold of it. One fantastic choice is the paper that butchers use to wrap the various cuts of meat. It is not at all dangerous for hedgehogs.
Where to put your cage?
Now that you have selected the most suitable enclosure for your hedgehog, the next step is to locate the most suitable location for it. Here are three essential aspects to take into account:
- Temperature
- Noise
- Lighting
It is recommended that the room maintain a temperature of between 22 and 29 degrees Celsius all the time. Your hedgehog enjoys being warm, thus it is important to keep it out of the cool weather.
You need to take into consideration the temperament of your hedgehog in order to predict how he will respond when he hears the noise. If he is timid or apprehensive, you should move him to a more private location. If he’s an active person, he probably enjoys being right in the thick of everything that’s going on.
The space must have sufficient lighting, as well as a window so that natural light can enter. Light is another option for you to consider when the weather outside is less than ideal.
If you want to keep your hedgehog healthy, it needs adequate ventilation. Stay out of the way of breezes and drafts. It’s possible that your hedgehog will acquire a stuffy nose and a nasty cold.
Surrounding Lighting
It is not necessary for you to keep a nightlight on for your pet during the night or keep the cage covered during the day. When kept as pets, hedgehogs do best in environments that provide them with consistent bouts of light and darkness throughout the day. In addition, they are at their happiest when the temperature in the room is what you would consider normal, which can range anywhere from 70 to 90 degrees. No matter what you do, you must never expose your hedgehog to temperatures that are too low for an extended period of time. If it does, it will probably make the decision to hibernate, which is dangerous for a hedgehog and can frequently result in death.
Cleaning
Don’t lose sight of the fact that your hedgehog relies on you to maintain a clean enclosure for him. It is of the utmost significance to replace the water every single day. Maintain its freshness, and check to make sure there is no bedding in the bowl. If you use a plastic bottle, you need to make sure that you clean it at least once every week.
Every single day, the animal in your care has to be fed. If you give him fresh food, you should throw away all of it within three hours in order to prevent bacteria from growing.
Watch out for the workout wheel as well as the other toys. If they are dirty, wash them with mild detergent to get the dirt off.
Gather up any food that has fallen into the bedding and throw it away.
If you use a litter box, you should clean it out once a day and scoop out the waste. If you find that your hedgehog has defecated on his bedding, remove the soiled shavings immediately so that he does not step into his own waste.
It is recommended that you use mild dish soap to clean the entire cage once a week. Rinse well.
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