[nessariel]

So, I finally finished the last touches on my cage loft. It got a little bit difficult about half way through after I sliced my thumb open while cutting through vinyl, but I managed! (This hedgehog is going to be about 10x safer than I am in my day-to-day clumsiness) I want to make sure, however, that what I've done is safe for my little guy.

Around the loft on the sides not touching the original cage, about 4.5 inches high, is coroplast. On the one side that isn't attached to the cage, I've attached a sheet of vinyl from the top of the coroplast to the top of the cage, using zipties (none of which point into the loft, only out, where Winston won't be able to get to the pointy parts.) On the other non-cage side, I've got a piece of fleece. I've sewn this to the top of the coroplast (bending one of my needles hopelessly in the process) and then tied it to the top of the cage using thin strips of fleece (so I can take it off easily for cleaning). Along the other two sides of the loft, the sides that are touching the original cage, I've put vinyl over the bars, from the ground to 6 inches up the sides. What it ends up with is two sides completely closed off, and two sides with vinyl 6 inches high and bars the rest of the way. Does this sound safe? I don't want anything I do to be bad for my hedgie, so please don't be afraid of hurting my feelings, I need to know.

I can post pictures if anyone would like, once I find batteries for my camera.

Also, would it be safe if I took one of those jingle cat toys that have slits in the ball and suspended it from the ceiling, not quite to the floor? i know that they're not safe to have in the cage, free-range, because they could create stuck noses, but would it be alright dangling?

Sorry for the long post. >.< Thanks for reading!

 

[allisonsnickers]

I think that the loft sounds safe, but I wanna see pictures anyway. I don't know what it is, I have an addiction to cage setups. Hahahaha. As for the cat toys, I think it would almost be worse to have it dangling, because couldn't the hedgehog really mess up his nose if it did get stuck? I'm not really sure. Like, do you mean for decorating purposes or to play with?

 

[nessariel]

I'll post up some pictures tomorrow! I like looking at cage setups, too, though i have yet to figure out how to get a picture where the bars don't obscure most of the view...

As for the toy, I meant to play with. If it was dangling, though, wouldn't it be nigh impossible to get his nose stuck in it? If he pushed hard on it with his nose, it wouldn't offer any of the resistance necessary to let his nose squish through, but just swing forward instead, I think. I may be wrong though, what do you think?

 

[LarryT]

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

 

[Nancy]

Many of those cat toys are not safe and hedgie can get their jaws caught in them. Post a picture of the ball too when you post the cage. hint hint. :lol:

 

[hedgielover]

I wouldn't risk putting a jingle ball in the cage even dangling. If your hedgehog tries to bite at it he might just hold it still enough to get stuck. You seem way to concerned about safety to take a risk with a jingle ball. The only safe ones are completely closed up.

 

[Immortalia]

I'd also worry about them licking the ball and end up slicing their tongue on the bell's slit.

My boy just has a golf ball in his cage, bought a back of 3 or 4 from the dollar store. Much safer imo. And cheaper than buying an actual cat toy from the pet store for like $2-4.

If you really want to dangle a ball, you could look into drilling a hole into something like a ping pong ball and hanging that up. Easiest would be to poke 2 holes straight through, thread a piece of string, knot the end, and now you can hang it anywhere. ^_^

 

[nessariel]

I think I'll just ditch the dangling ball idea. Better safe than sorry!

Here are those pictures I promised! I hope that everyone can see okay, it's a little difficult to get a good shot with bars in the way...

Note: For some reason the tube looks like it's at a lot steeper of an angle than it is in reality. I think it's because of the way I took the shots, but the tube is actually at a nice gentle angle.

 

[Nancy]

Yes the tube angle does look steep but photos can be deceiving.

I suggest food and water on both levels until you are certain hedgie is going up and down the ramp.

Is your loft attached to the front panel of the cage? If not, I will send you an easy way to make the whole front panel lift up for easy access.

 

[allisonsnickers]

Could you please send me the instructions, Nancy? I think I have the same cage, but mine doesn't have the opening in the top.

 

[Nancy]

Could you please send me the instructions, Nancy? I think I have the same cage, but mine doesn't have the opening in the top.

Email me so I can email you the pictures.

 

[nessariel]

I would LOVE those instructions! I'm already getting frustrated with having to reach every part of the cage through the two doors, and I don't even have my hedgie yet!.

 

[Nancy]

Instructions sent to both of you. Let me know if you don't receive it.