[jkgreen890]

Hello! I'm new here.. I'm making my little guy a new cage using an old dresser. I was wondering if I can see your ramps if you have a multilevel cage. I did some looking on my own, but nothing I've found has it completely enclosed and I'd really like to see width and such of your ramps before I finalize on what I've already mocked up. Also, incline?? How steep is too steep? I don't want him to tumble down, but I want to keep as much space in the cage for him to have a good home. I appreciate any and all help! Thanks much!

 

[akitka]

There’s a lot of varying opinions out there on what makes a suitable ramp. Im personally using 2 for a 3 level cage made out of a bookshelf. They are wooden and about 4 inches wide with about 3 inches between treads. I’ve been finding a low railing to be perfectly suitable, but if you can do completely enclosed that’s probably better. I’ve attached a pic so you can see the incline of mine. I think he’d be fine if they were steeper though he figured out how to climb them so quickly. How are you going to do them?

 

[Shaymin_Lover]

Personally, I don’t have a ramp because there is a large chance that your hedgehog won’t use it. I’ve heard that tunnels work well because they are closed off completely.

 

[jkgreen890]

Sorry for the late reply. My house was hit with the tummy bug. I think we are going to go with dryer vent tubing. That way we it is completely enclosed, but I can adjust the angle with for a lack of better terms, twisting, winding?? My husband has been hard at work wiring some led lights and making the plexiglass for the front. How long should I let the cage air out, after the painting is done? Would I know by smell or is there a good time limit that is used? I have the heating element, lights, food and water dishes (he has a bottle now, but I've been told that it isn't safe) ventilation vents, digital thermostat is on my list to buy when we are at the store picking up the paint. Am I missing anything? Is fleece a good lining? Or should I think of something else? I will be putting some peel and stick laminate flooring on the floors of all of the levels.. Would that be okay for the bottom level or should I have some fabric there too? I'm trying not to use critter bedding.

 

[belties]

Not sure on air out time but I do know that latex paint gives off less fumes and smell than oil based paints. We use fleece liners and really like them. We do have a dig box for her with shredded news paper in it, of course some weeks its a dig box some weeks she calls it a litter box. Its a hedgie thing!

 

[Aj.t]

Hey there! I’ve never thought to use peel and stick laminate as flooring, interesting! With that being said, just make sure there’s plenty of cozy things for them to snuggle up in so they’re not forced to sleep directly on the floor.
The main problem with water bottles is the ball in the straw; if it has a spring (aka doesn’t move or roll around when the bottle is tipped) the ball has been known to catch hedgehog tongues and cause some serious problems! If you do use a bottle, use a glass bottle with no spring in the straw, but I personally prefer bowls to give them easier access, Christina drinks like a camel!
As far as the thermometer goes, if you haven’t, check out Chewy.com. They’ve got great prices and super fast shipping, just an option!
Hope this helps 🙂

 

[Chowder]

Curious how you're going to keep the dryer vent tubing rigid enough. I'd like to make my hedgie's cage multi-level

 

[Kalandra]

Just wait until they are having a bad day, go into the tubing and quill up. Its quite a challenge to get a hedgehog who is upset (for whatever reason) out of any type of tubing that has a ridges....

 

[Chowder]

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...nnels-tubes/ware-fun-tunnel-for-small-animals

I looked at this plastic tunnel for my hedgie's cage. Might be sturdier than a dryer tube. But wasn't sure how to make it sturdy enough that it wouldn't bend with weight.

 

[belties]

4 inch PVC pipe ? We use it to connect bins but would make a good enclosed ramp. If it was very steep it would need some kind of traction material (cloth?) glued in it so they could climb up and not ski slope down.

 

[jkgreen890]

Curious how you're going to keep the dryer vent tubing rigid enough. I'd like to make my hedgie's cage multi-level

That will be I guess part of our experimenting with this. All of the tubing will be up against a wall.. so as of right now.. I'm thinking of putting in eyehook screws in wall and use zip ties to hold it steady without crunching the tubing. I'm also thinking if for some reason the tubing gets dirty, it will be easy removal and replacement. I also want the bottom portion a little flexible for when I need to change the fleece lining. There willl be no way for Nitro to access the zip ties or the eyehook screws, so safety wise, I think I'm safe with that.. now it just depends on if it works out cage wise as it does in my head.

 

[jkgreen890]

Hey there! I've never thought to use peel and stick laminate as flooring, interesting! With that being said, just make sure there's plenty of cozy things for them to snuggle up in so they're not forced to sleep directly on the floor

I'm planning on having fleece over the top of the flooring of his level where his sleeping quarters will be.. and I thought it would be nicer to have a barrier that's waterproof and easy wipe and clean between the fleece and the wood. Im planning on having his wheel on the lowest level where hopefully (fingers crossed) he will have most of his bodily mess. But I keep going back and forth on that and will most likely plan on doing fleece on all levels and see how it goes. I'm planning on having fleece scraps in his hut to burrow through and a dig box in his cage as well as other toys he like to play with. I was hoping to have his cage done by now, but our winter weather has been keeping me off the roads as I always have my human babies with me.

 

[akitka]

I use the peel and stick laminate on top of wood and it’s great. Protects the wood from any damp mold from water spills and whatnot, it’s easy to wipe. Even if you put fleece on top I’d recommend the plastic layer to protect the wood for sure.