[Prickerz]

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

 

[NewHedgieOwner100]

It looks a bit small too me, but I can't really tell. Do you have the size dementions?

 

[DesireeM81]

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.

 

[Prickerz]

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?

 

[DesireeM81]

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.

 

[Nancy]

That cage size is fine. I would remove the loft not only to give more floorspace, but even if she does manage to get up to it, it's not hedgie safe.

 

[Prickerz]

Remove said ledge and get a wooden hut- got it! (I'm not a fan of igloos!)
Thank you everyone!

I have seen those wheels before, but... eh. lol i'd prefer a silent spinner I think, it just seems more sturdy. does anyone have experience with them?

 

[Nancy]

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.

 

[Prickerz]

WOW thank you- that's awful! Carolina storm wheel it is! They are sturdy?

 

[DesireeM81]

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.

 

[NewHedgieOwner100]

Oh I wasnt aware of the size demention. Well, as said above, the cage is a good size.
CSW are the most recommended wheel for hedgies, but if you need a wheel sooner you can get a Comfort Wheel. That is probably the best wheel you can find in pet stores. But the CSW is recommended above all others.

 

[Teddi4211]

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.

 

[Prickerz]

Well in that case I will be ordering a carolina storm wheel!

 

[Melanie G.]

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?

 

[gracefulchaos01]

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

 

[Prickerz]

I pick her up October 5th and I really can't wait!
I do have a play pen ready to go too! I just hope the bucket wheel comes in time....

 

[lilsurfergrlsp]

Larry T is pretty good about shipping his wheels fast. You should get it about 2-3 days after you ordered it.

 

[Prickerz]

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!

 

[gracefulchaos01]

Ask your boyfriend how he would feel about living full time in a 6x6 closet.

 

[Prickerz]

The small size is 4 sq. ft. So technically yes, she could live comfortably in there. But he has only had dogs before. I am teaching him! Lol
When I explained that they are more active than guinea pigs and rabbits I think he began to understand though...