Cage & wheel compatibility

[indygo88]

I'm a new hedgie owner & this is my first post, so hello to everyone! This website has been immensely helpful to me, so I also want to thank all of you who have contributed.

I know there are quite a few threads relating to wheels, so I hope this one isn't redundant....
I don't yet have a wheel for my hedgie, but would very much like to get one. The problem is the dimensions of hedgie's cage. It's a guinea pig cage, 12" deep x 12" high x 30" long. While I realize it's not large by any means, I think it's suitable in all other aspects & I'm in the process of adding a "loft" & tube ramp to provide extra movement space. But the 12" x 12" seems to be a problem re: fitting in a wheel. I'd prefer to not have to cut any of the bars or get a new cage. Does anyone else have a cage this size &/or suggestions for adapting the size of a wheel or something similar? My hedgie is a 3-month-old & one that has been re-homed. She came from a very good owner who was moving & had to find her a new home. He was very knowledgeable & good with her, but he didn't necessarily feel that exercise wheels were necessary, so she's never been on one before. Thus, she doesn't yet know what she's missing, but everyone raves about them so much, & so I feel like I should get her one. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[DeniseLynette]

Well welcome to HHC & congratz on being a hedgie owner (:
Well, the previous owner was wrong. Hedgehogs HAVE to have wheels, they are very active critters at night & need exercise. They will gain weight & will go crazy without one.
Anyways, a flying saucer wheel isnt a problem with height, just more of the width. They are sold at local pet stores (Petco, Petsmart) & they are safe for hedgies! Just make sure to get the biggest size. The hedgehogs just gotta get practice on it & get used to it, then they spin spin spin (: I have a comfort wheel, but with comfort wheels you have to get the Giant Size, & those are pretty high.

Another suggestion I have is a bucket wheel, some of those arent to high, & would probably fit into your cage. The CSW (Carolina Storm Wheel) sold by Larry, a member on this site, looks like a great wheel & everyone suggests it! Its also on sale this month for 25 bucks! Im not too sure of the hight, but heres a link http://www.carolinastormhedgehogs.co...orm-wheel.html. But I think your best bet is the flying saucer, because its so low to the ground.

Hope this helped (:

[LarryT]

My wheels will not fit in a 12 inch tall cage,sorry.

[hedgielover]

To be perfectly honest I think you need a bigger cage. Any wheel you get that will fit in this cage will not be big enough for your hedgehog to run comfortably.

There are plenty of cheap options for cages so if money is a concern you could do some looking on here to find a cheap alternative to a commercial cage. Another option instead of getting a whole new cage would be to modify your current set up by attaching another room that a wheel would fit in. For instance You could buy a seralite tub and attach it with pvc tubing. There are many examples in the housing thread.