[freda]

I'm sorry if this has been covered before, however I'm not sure what to do about heating my hedgie's cage, because of the complication of a loft.

I went to PetSmart today and grabbed a 10" Clamp Lamp and a 100 Watt Ceramic heat emitter, but then I realized.... where would I put it? I put it all back and will order online or go back tomorrow.
Traditionally you put the emitters on top of the cage, but since I have a loft, I'm afraid it will be too close. I can clip it onto my windowsill and have it slightly further away, but then I'm afraid downstairs (where he sleeps) it will be too cold.

Does anyone have any suggestions for properly heating a lofted cage? Here's an old picture, it's 32" x 20". The loft is about 4" from the top of the cage.

[attachment=0:1a284hsd]344qovb.jpg[/attachment:1a284hsd]

Thanks guys.. again, sorry if it's been covered before, I just flew back home today so I'm exhausted but I wanted to get this taken care of.

 

[krbshappy71]

Does he need the loft? I see the igloo is on the bottom which is where he'll probably want to hide and sleep anyhow. Heating is more important than the loft. Can it go on the side where the wheel is, the left side towards the back but facing into the cage?

 

[Hedgieonboard]

Using a space heater looks like it would work well with this cage. That way it won't get too hot but you won't have to worry about the bottom not being as warm as the top, it would heat pretty evenly. The one that I use shuts off if its tipped over and doesn't get hot to the touch so if something were to drop on it, it wouldn't start a fire. I got this kind so it would be safe to leave on if I leave the house.

On a side note I really love your hedgies cage set up and the bedding is very cute and well coordinated

 

[freda]

Does he need the loft? I see the igloo is on the bottom which is where he'll probably want to hide and sleep anyhow. Heating is more important than the loft. Can it go on the side where the wheel is, the left side towards the back but facing into the cage?

I use the loft because I feel like the bottom doesn't give him enough "roaming" room. I usually keep his toys on the top, and his food/water dishes, and also his hedgie hat. The main problem is that if I keep the food/water downstairs, I have to put it near the wheel... and you know what gets flung by the wheel haha. So technically he doesn't NEED the loft, but I prefer that he has it.

His primary sleeping area is the igloo downstairs, because I put his blanket in there and he likes to snuggle up.

I thought that placement would be a good area but my mom (who also has a hedgie) says her heat emitter actually melted a little divit in the wheel

Using a space heater looks like it would work well with this cage. That way it won't get too hot but you won't have to worry about the bottom not being as warm as the top, it would heat pretty evenly. The one that I use shuts off if its tipped over and doesn't get hot to the touch so if something were to drop on it, it wouldn't start a fire. I got this kind so it would be safe to leave on if I leave the house.

On a side note I really love your hedgies cage set up and the bedding is very cute and well coordinated

I was thinking space heater too- I just gotta find one that's safe What is the brand name of the one you got?

And thanks! Nancy made them for me. I have 3 different sets

 

[Hedgieonboard]

I got mine from Walmart, the brandname is Honeywell and its an energysmart. It has a frost watch, 65-80 degree in 5 degree incriments and a high setting and an oscillate function. Its pretty compact at about 12-14 inches high and about 9 or 10 inches across.

 

[nikki]

the oil filled radiator type heaters are really good and really safe, they never get hot to the touch and do a great job. They also turn off if they are ever tipped over.

 

[freda]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll try to pick one up tomorrow. Much much much appreciated. I'm sure Gordon appreciates it too! We've had to improvise to keep him warm so I'm glad I'll finally have a real solution.