Hedgehogs are adorable pets, so knowledge of their cage requirements is fundamental to ensure you properly raise your pet.
Most people need to become more familiar with proper care of their hedgehogs and may purchase a cage for their pet that is too small, which may end up hindering their mental and physical growth.
There is also the mistake of getting your hedgehog a cage not meant for them. Doing that may seem like a life hack, but there is the danger of your pet escaping.
Stay tuned as I take you through hedgehog cage requirements so your prickly pet can have a comfortable and happy upbringing.
Most Crucial Hedgehog Cage Requirements in a Hedgehog House
1. Entertainment Options
Usually, hedgehogs like entertainment to stay happy and ultimately healthy. That means you need to improvise your pet’s cage with entertainment options.
You may decide to spoil your pet with a few toys which will keep your hedgehog busy and give them company.
Things like mirrors, balls, wheels, and tunnels are some essential entertainment instruments you can put in your pet’s cage so it doesn’t get dull and gloomy.
2. Food and Water Dishes
Your hedgehog’s cage requires dishes to offer it water and food. So you need to purchase a heavy crock dish for food.
A heavy dish is essential as it prevents your hedgehog from tipping over its food since hedgehogs are naughty and grumpy when feeding.
For water, ensure that you get a gravity water bottle weighted or mounted, so it doesn’t tip over.
Putting water in a dish in your pet’s cage is not advisable since your hedgehog can walk over it and contaminate it with droppings and bedding.
3. Washable Cloths
Hedgehogs are notorious for putting their droppings anywhere in the cage except for a few highly and professionally trained ones.
That is why you need several washable cloths strategically placed in your pet’s cage to minimize the mess and for ease and convenience when cleaning the cage.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hedgehog Cage
1. Cage Doors
Doors for your hedgehog cage are vital when choosing a cage for your pet. A hedgehog cage requires doors for ease of accessing it.
So you should ensure your pet’s cage has a door that can be opened and closed since you don’t want to buy a pricy enclosure for your hedgehog only to find out you have no way of putting it inside the cage.
You should also ensure the cage door is positioned correctly for ease and convenience when cleaning the cage.
2. Appropriate Space
Your hedgehog cage size is vital as you don’t want a scenario whereby you buy a small cage that will hinder the happiness and growth of your pet.
However, hedgehogs don’t need too much space. A minimum size of 1’ by 2’ is okay, although your pet will need more space to have more room for fun adventures.
The bigger the cage, the better for your hedgehog, as it will have more room to play and roam.
But you should ensure you don’t get one with a size past the minimum requirements or one that makes your pet uncomfortable and unhappy.
Hedgehogs love climbing and exploring. Since they have poor eyesight, they can often fall when climbing; thus, you should also consider some space for proper cushioning. Hence most cages come with a variety of enclosed tubes all over.
3. Ventilation
Proper ventilation is vital when choosing a cage for your hedgehog.
You should always ensure proper airflow in and out of the cage to ensure your pet breathes, is joyful, and functions appropriately.
Always ensure no cloth or wrapping encloses the top of the cage, as that will hinder proper aeration.
4. Right Gap Size Between Wires
Hedgehogs like to explore a lot and may stick their heads anywhere it fits.
You should ensure that the gaps between the cage wires are small enough for your pet not to stick its head or get stuck in them.
You should also ensure that the cage wires don’t have rough endings or edges, which may significantly injure your pet as it satisfies its curiosity.
5. Right Temperature
The sleeping area of your hedgehog should have a temperature of between 23 to 27 degrees Celsius.
You need to find a way to maintain that amount of heat in the hedgehog cage or at least their sleeping area.
A lower temperature than that will make your hedgehog hibernate, negatively impacting its growth and health.
Conclusion
Hedgehog cage requirements and considerations are crucial as they determine whether your pet will be happy, comfortable, and healthy.
You should always ensure the requirements I have highlighted above since they are vital in providing your hedgehog gets proper care and upbringing.
