[Andy_Leigh]

Right now I have a 20 gal aquarium for my hedgehog. I know that they are not recommended, but right now that's all I have. I live with my sister and brother-in-law so the only room I could have my little one in is my room... and its not that big. So, does anyone know of anything that would take up about as much floor space as the aquarium (1 ft wide by 2 1/2 ft long) but would be better suited for a hedge hog? My brother-in-law said they still have the dog kennels for their three mini Schnauzers... would that be ok? I'm not sure how big the spaces between the bars are and I would have to put something on the bottom of it to make a floor... I just need ideas, input and LOTS of help

 

[r_k_chic47]

A 20-gallon aquarium is also all I have for my hedgehog right now. I wish I had a better cage, but I can't afford it at the moment. But maybe an idea for you is to use 2 sterilite bins, connected by 4" wide pvc pipe. A lot of people have done that, and it would probably take up just as much room as a 20-gallon aquarium would. Also, about the dog kennels, I would make sure the spaces between the bars are pretty small - you don't want any escapes, and trust me, they're more flexible/can make themselves skinnier than you would think. Plus, you don't want them trying to escape and then getting their head stuck in spaces in the bars. I hope that helps, and hopefully some other people will help here too.

 

[Andy_Leigh]

I had thought about the 2 sterilite bins, but they would take up at lease twice the space... I just moved here and that's what I packed my stuff in... there's no way they would fit in here and still allow me room to walk

 

[r_k_chic47]

Is there a desk or dresser in your room that you could possibly set it on?

 

[Nancy]

A few people have made two level bin cages using a low sided bin for the bottom and a high sided bin for the top. The bottom is the bedroom area and the top has the wheel. There are a few I've seen that are great and would certainly provide more room than what you have now. I'll see if I can find some pictures.

 

[Andy_Leigh]

Is there a desk or dresser in your room that you could possibly set it on?

My dresser is small and has my fish tank on it (for my turtle's feeder fish) and my desk is even smaller and has my computer monitor, mouse and keyboard on it...

My room is roughly 11x10 ... it has a dresser, computer desk, twin sized bed, small book shelf, my turtle tank and extra tank in it, as well as a few things my sister left in here (entertainment cabinet and a full sized punching bag) so if you can imagine that, you can see I'm kinda hard pressed for space...

And pictures of that set up would be great... also, what are the thoughts on a dog kennel type home for the hedgehog??

 

[Nancy]

I found one I was looking for. If this one had fleece liners it would be awesome but is fairly large. You could do it with any size bin that comes in low and high sided. http://www.geocities.com/inanno/larkspur.html

Dog crates would be difficult to convert to hedgehog safe as the bars are too far apart and would have to be totally covered with something hedgehog safe.

 

[Andy_Leigh]

would that offer enough ventilation?? That would be my worry...

 

[r_k_chic47]

I was thinking the same thing, the only air hole for the bottom section is the part where the ramp is...I don't think that would be enough...and I would be worried about the hammock and the wheel.

 

[Andy_Leigh]

I bought a large flying saucer (from what I have read, that's good. I hope I'm not wrong) and when I put it in the aquarium it made me realize that my hedgie would need more room.... it just barely fit

 

[Nancy]

The bins would have to be well ventilated which is easy enough by drilling holes. The link I can't find shows a half size top bin and the lid of the lower bin had lots of ventilation holes drilled in it.

The one in the link I posted needs to have ventilation drilled all around the edge of the bottom lid as well as in the sides of the bottom bin and same the top bin.

No the hammock is not safe IMO. The wheel is fine. I have a few wheels like that.

 

[hedgie love]

You could cut out the top of the bin's lid and put mesh there for great ventilation.