Hedgehog Cage Ideas

Choosing or building a home for your hedgehog requires careful consideration of the natural needs of wild hedgehogs and their transition to domestication. Here are the basic necessities for all cages and three common approaches for comfortably housing a hedgehog.

  1. Cage Basics

    • Hedgehog cages should be at least 5 square feet in area to provide the space necessary for your spiny friends to flourish and be happy. It should be easy to clean and should also provide good ventilation and easy access to food and water. Hedgehog cages should maintain a steady temperature of 71 degrees F and should be free of obstacles like open inclines that could cause harm or obstruct access to food or water. The most commonly used cage materials are aquariums, wire mesh cages and plastic containers like Steralite storage bins or cubes of Coroplast known as C&C cages.

    Aquariums

    • Aquariums are often used because they are easy to clean and keep your hedgehog's bedding, food, and other messes from spilling out. However, aquariums of sufficient size can be costly and they do not provide great ventilation. In addition, a wire mesh cover must be used to cover the aquarium to prevent your hedgehog from escaping. Large aquariums are also heavy, making them difficult to move and clean.

    Wire Mesh Cages

    • Wire mesh cages are readily available and can be easily constructed. They provide fantastic ventilation, are lightweight and easy to clean. If you choose to use a wire cage you must ensure that the wire spacing is small enough (1 inch or less) so that your hedgehog will not be at risk of getting its limbs caught in the mesh. You should never use a wire floor. There are manufactured wire mesh hedgehog cages available, but ferret and rabbit cages are often sufficient. It is not recommended that multilevel cages, such as the common multilevel ferret cages available in pet stores, be used because of hedgehogs' poor eyesight and the risk of them falling.

    Plastic Containers

    • A plastic container design is the most affordable do-it-yourself option for a hedgehog's cage, but it has downsides. Plastic containers with high sides provide ample space, are light and easy to clean, but they have a ventilation limitation similar to aquariums. You also must still develop a wire mesh cover to prevent your hedgehog from escaping. It is best to use clear plastic containers to allow your hedgehog plenty of light. You can connect multiple containers together by using tunnels, which you can purchase or design yourself, to give your hedgehog an even larger home.