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I know it's not big enough. But it's all I have

6K views 23 replies 12 participants last post by  ellarose 
#1 ·
My boyfriend was convinced this cage is plenty big but I know he is wrong. Well, we ordered it and now i'm stuck with it. So, I guess I need to make the best of it... she will have a flying saucer wheel at all times, and I built her a play pen. Will this cage do, or should I just take it out back and burn it? :(
I convinced him that the standard was WAY too small, and I really wanted the XL- we compromised and got the large. My breeder thinks it will be good but what do you all think?

Amazon.com : Living World Deluxe Habitat, Large : Pet Cages : Pet Supplies
 
#3 ·
It's not horribly small. 37.8 inches length x 22.4 inches width. That's close to 6 square feet at 5.8ish square feet. A good cage is at least 4 square feet of space.

Here's what I would do. Don't use the flying saucer wheel. I would go for a comfort wheel if you can't order a Carolina Storm Bucket Wheel or Carolina Storm Wheel, it's a standing wheel and will take up less floor space.

I would suggest not using the extra level unless you can fully enclose it to prevent her from falling off of it.

She will be perfectly healthy in that cage, it will help keep in heat and is escape proof. It's not a horribly small cage. Don't worry. If you need to upgrade you can do that later.

Oh and I'm always assuming you are getting a girl... Lol.
 
#4 ·
Well I am getting a girl!! Lol I really should figure out a way to upload some pictures foe you all to see...

I have seen them set up and I really do not think she can get on the second level. I was planning on just putting the food dish on the ground level and letting her use the underneath as her hide. Do you think she would still manage to climb on top of it?

The square footage was what I was worried about... thank you!
The comfort wheels always seem to literally fall apart whenever we use them in the pet store. What is your opinion on the silent spinner wheel?
 
#5 ·
Silent Spinners are not recommended because they have slits in them.

Honestly if you want a good wheel, you can make one or order one from Larry. http://www.carolinastormhedgehogs.com/ I have done both and making one is not easy! I have a comfort wheel I bought while I was waiting for CSW's and I didn't not like it. It's a good enough wheel. Larry makes a good wheel and they are about less expensive than silent spinners, they are extremely safe and completely silent.

Hedgehogs can be great climbers. I might use it if I could turn around the ramp thing around so there is no way of her climbing up it.
 
#8 ·
Silent spinners are horrible. They aren't safe. The slits and the seam down the middle can catch little toes and nails. Not only that, the base is not stable. It does not extend out far enough and can tip over when hedgie enters or exits. The nuts holding the wheel onto the base can also come unscrewed while in use causing the wheel to fall.

They aren't sturdy. They are made of brittle plastic and can crack easily if dropped or hit against something.

It isn't silent.

Here is a review on the Silent Spinner.

http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/forums/34-wheels/13467-silent-spinner.html

If you want a commercial wheel, the Comfort wheel is much safer.
 
#10 ·
They can be attached to the cage or come with a stand. My hedgehogs can move theirs but they have only tipped it over once. This was two of them, though and they probably worked together.

Like I said before, these wheels are amazing. I have four of them and I just adore them. My hedgehogs probably love them even more.
 
#12 ·
I can say from experience that the Carolina Storm Bucket Wheels is fantastic. I swear that I thought they weren't even running when I first put them in they were so quiet. I mean, you can hear their little feet patter, but that's it. No rattle, no squeak. They are well made and last the hedgie lifetime. I threw my Comfort Wheels in the big garbage bin and will never, ever get anything else. I don't want to sound like I am over glorifying it, because I am not. As said before, though. Silent spinners and wire wheels are not safe one bit. You're right, though, when you said that the Comfort Wheels are tacky. Mine fell apart after 2 months.
 
#14 ·
I just wanted to let you know that I have my hedgehog Lucy in that exact cage. Gretta is in a slightly larger cage. I removed the ledge part and she has enough room to move around. Lucy is very active and isn't overweight (she actually smaller than Gretta).
When do you pick up your little one?
 
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#15 ·
my cages are all about the same size. I don't love it, and I don't think they do either, however the cage does the job, it is big enough, barely, and as long as you let your little one out regularly for some running around time, it should be just fine until that time when you are able to upgrade. You can definitely get a bucket type wheel and hook it to the side. I actually have my two bucket wheels from Larry actually on their original stands, and weirdly they don't take up much more space. I have to keep them on their stands because they need to be able to tilt otherwise hedgies fall out :)
 
#18 ·
I just wanted to say the cage arrived and after six cuss words, many grunts, and one almost walk away, I got it together! My boyfriend thinks I should have gone with the even smaller size, but I think it will be perfect!
I am SO excited to bring my new baby home!
 
#21 ·
Rabbits need a huge enclosure, a lot of people just keep them in tiny cages.
I think this size is okay for a hedgehog, it's a little small, but it'll do. It's not too bad. The small one is definitely too tiny imo but I know it's more acceptable in the US. Minimum recommended size here is 20 x 40 inch.
 
#22 ·
Its a fine sized cage for a normal sized hedgie, IMO. We have the same sized ones for our guys, and they do just fine. We actually have the same one (with level and everything) for our larger hedgie male, and he likes it just fine. We have his CHE zip-tied to the front, and use the hay-feeder on the outside as storage for various nicknacks like toys and such for him. I personally like the wires for attaching the comfort wheels to, because you can adjust the wall to make sure the wheel clears the sides, and is pretty quiet.

In terms of the level/hut thing, I personally wouldn't worry about it too much. I know I might catch flack for this, as eel always hear about the dangers of levels for out little guys, but in terms of the two hedgies we have, we have had them use the levels, and they rather enjoy them. This level is steeper than the one in my little girls cage (She has a living world eco-lodge), but for a larger hedgie the height isn't any different than if he tries to climb the plastic and reach the bars. I know our boy doesn't use his level very often, but he enjoys sleeping in the inside of it during the day because it does provide a nice hiding area.
As far as my girl goes, she loves her 2nd level. She figured out the stairs in a snap, and will run on her wheel, then hop off, run up the level, and sit there are watch everything outside of her cage before running back to the wheel. She just slides down the smooth parts when she's in a hurry. And the little bowl-holders are awesome for putting smooth pebbles in to hide mealworms in, so they can forage.
I think the level options for these cages are safer than some of the other options out here (these ones do, after all, have 3 sides technically "enclosed", and a set up that deters falls in practice), but then again, this is just my opinion. I know my guys are ledge-savvy, and aren't keen on hopping off any edges anytime soon, but I also know that not all hedgehogs are so inclined, lol.

In the short of it, I think your cage will be just fine. Your little girl will love it!
 
#23 ·
It's actually not bad I've had one before but for less money under $60 you could make a 2x4 c&c cage with a stand and storage underneath.thats what I just made for my little girl.i got the 6 pack of cubes at Kmart for 21 each,the Coroplast at Home Depot for $14, and zip ties at Walmart for like $2-3.and it has soo much room it's huge my Bailey runs and plays all night long.Plus I have tons of extra grids left for a lid.http://t.homedepot.com/p/COROSPLAST...et-COR-3672/202771364?quantity=1&str_nbr=0253 here's the link for the Coroplast http://www.kmart.com/stor-floor-sta...W435219990001P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1 and here's the link for the cube storage grids.
 

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#24 ·
Yes, CSW is the best option. I have my lovely sparkly blue and Gus goes mad over it. Easy cleaning, sturdy, VERY silent unless the metal piece gets wet but it even comes with spare parts, affordable for most and well worth your money. It's the right size and overall just perfect for your hog.
 
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