How Big Should A Hedgehog Cage Be?
Hedgehogs are delightful and unique pets that can provide hours of entertainment and companionship. But to ensure your pet hedgehog has a happy and healthy life, one important factor to consider is the size of their cage.
In this article, we’ll discuss how big should a hedgehog cage be so that your furry friend can thrive in its home. We’ll look at what to consider when choosing the right size for your hedgehog’s enclosure, as well as tips on creating an ideal living environment. Read on to learn more about keeping your beloved hedgehog safe, secure, and content!
When choosing the size of a hedgehog cage, it’s important to keep in mind that bigger is better. A hedgehog needs plenty of room to explore and play, as well as space to hide away when they feel scared or overwhelmed. The ideal size for a hedgehog cage should be at least 24 inches long by 18 inches wide and 12-18 inches tall. This will give your pet enough space to roam freely while also providing them with a comfortable place to sleep and nest.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Hedgehog Cage Size
When selecting the perfect size for your hedgehog’s enclosure, there are several factors you need to consider:
- Size Of Your Hedgehog: Many experts recommend that the cage should accommodate your pet’s body length plus an additional few inches for maneuvering around their habitat.
- Number Of Hedgehogs: If you have more than one hedgehog living together, then it will require more space as they like to explore and socialize with each other.
- Type Of Cage: Depending on what type of cage you decide to use (e.g., wire mesh, aquariums), this will affect how much space is available inside.
Tips For Creating An Ideal Living Environment
Once you’ve decided on the right size cage for your pet, there are some extra steps you can take to make sure they’re happy and healthy within their new home. Here are some tips:
- Provide Plenty Of Hiding Places: Hedgehogs feel safe when they have places where they can retreat from any potential predators or noises that may startle them. Offering multiple hiding spots such as small houses or tunnels can help create a secure environment.
- Include Play Areas & Exercise Items: A proper sized wheel is essential for keeping your pet active and entertained. Additionally, including items such as logs or rocks can provide enrichment activities that stimulate mental development.
Do Hedgehogs Like Multi Level Cages?
Multi-level cages can provide an appropriate and stimulating environment for your pet hedgehog. Hedgehogs are inquisitive animals and have a natural instinct to explore. Providing them with a cage that offers different levels, whether it be shelves or ramps, allows your pet to climb and roam around the enclosure with ease. This type of cage also allows you to customize the space more easily by adding toys, treats, and other items that will keep your pet entertained.
A multi-level cage is also beneficial in providing a larger floor area for your hedgehog to walk around on which reduces their chances of developing sore feet from walking on hard surfaces all day long. Additionally, having multiple levels can help reduce stress as some hedgehogs may feel anxious when their vision is blocked off due to walls or corners in standard sized enclosures.
You can even add various hideouts on each level such as cardboard boxes or tunnels so that they can retreat when feeling overwhelmed or scared. Overall, these features make multi-level cages ideal for keeping your pet happy and healthy!
What Is The Best Hedgehog Cage?
The best hedgehog cage depends on the size of your pet, their individual personality and preferences, and your budget. If you have a small hedgehog, then a 10-20 gallon aquarium or plastic storage bin with a secure lid is an economical option that can be customized with fun accessories like hammocks and tunnels to keep them entertained.
For larger hedgies, look for cages specifically designed for small pets such as metal wire cages with multiple levels so they can explore. It should also be tall enough that they can stand up straight when fully extended inside. It’s important to make sure it has plenty of ventilation, since hedgehogs need air circulation to stay healthy in captivity.
When choosing accessories for your hedgehog’s home, safety should always come first. Look for quality materials that are easy to clean and won’t cause injury if chewed or ingested by your pet. Make sure there aren’t any sharp edges that could hurt them either.
Also consider adding items like hide boxes and chew toys to give them something interesting to do throughout the day while providing mental stimulation. You may also want to include some bedding material too; many owners prefer fleece blankets due to their softness and warmth. Finally, don’t forget about water! A shallow dish or bottle will provide your pet with access to clean water at all times without creating too much mess in their enclosure.
What Should Be In A Hedgehog Cage?
A hedgehog cage should provide an environment that is both safe and comfortable for your pet. There are many different types of cages available, but the most important thing to consider when purchasing a cage is the size. The ideal hedgehog cage should be at least two feet long, one foot wide, and one foot tall. This will give your hedgehog enough room to move around freely while still providing plenty of space to hide and explore.
Next you need to think about what type of bedding to use in your hedgehog’s cage. You can purchase specialty bedding made specifically for small animals or you could opt for something more natural like aspen shavings, shredded paper, or even grass clippings. Whichever option you choose make sure it is chemical-free so that there are no adverse health effects for your pet. Additionally, it’s important to keep the bedding clean and dry by changing it out every few days or whenever necessary.
Finally, don’t forget about adding toys and accessories into your pet’s enclosure! Items such as tunnels, ladders, exercise wheels, rocks/bark pieces (for digging!), etc., all make great additions as they help encourage physical activity which is beneficial for their overall health and wellbeing. Just make sure any objects added into the enclosure are large enough so that they won’t pose a choking hazard if accidentally swallowed by your hedgie!
Do You Keep Hedgehogs In A Cage?
No, hedgehogs should not be kept in a cage. Hedgehogs are naturally wild animals and need to have the opportunity to roam around freely and explore their environment. Confining them to a small space can cause stress and other health issues, making it important that they have ample room to move around in.
Hedgehogs also like to hide away in dark places throughout the day and this is something that cannot easily be provided when keeping them in a cage. Even if the cage were large enough for them to explore, there would still not be enough hiding spots or areas for the hedgehog to feel secure.
An ideal setup for these animals involves having an area of your home where you can let them run free safely. This could include pet-safe playpens with lots of hiding places or even a designated room such as a spare bedroom or bathroom where they can explore at will without leaving any mess lying about or causing any damage elsewhere in your house.
Do Hedgehog Houses Encourage Rats?
It is possible that hedgehog houses could encourage rats in some cases, but it is unlikely. Hedgehogs are natural predators of small rodents and insects, so they can help keep the rat population under control. However, if a hedgehog house is placed too close to an area with a large rat population or where there are food sources that attract them, it may be more likely for rats to come into contact with the hedgehog house.
In such cases, it would be important to take steps to discourage rats from entering or living around the hedgehog house. This could include keeping the area clean, removing any potential hiding places for them (e.g., piles of leaves or debris), and not leaving out any food sources that might attract them. Additionally, using rodent-proof materials when constructing or modifying a hedgehog house can also help reduce the chances of attracting rats.
These materials should prevent both entry and exits from the structure as well as provide insulation against extreme temperatures (both hot and cold). By taking these precautions when placing a hedgehog house in an area at risk of having rat populations nearby, you can significantly reduce their chance of being encouraged by its presence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hedgehogs require a large cage that is at least 4 square feet in size. The cage should have a comfortable substrate, plenty of hiding spots and enrichment items, and be kept clean to promote the health and happiness of your pet hedgehog. It’s important to remember that each individual hedgehog may have different needs when it comes to their enclosure; if you are ever uncertain about what would make the best home for your pet hedgehog, consult with an experienced vet or breeder who will be able to give advice tailored specifically for your particular pet.

Alexander is the owner of AnimalQnA. He is a pet lover. He has created this blog to share some of his knowledge on different kinds of pets.