For hedgehogs, bigger is better. They can be quite active, and enjoy a good bit of room to explore.
I do offer a complete cage set (including bedding, wheel, water bottle, food dish, litter for under wheel, food, house), already made so you don’t have to go hither and yon to build your set!
• A minimum cage space of 3 square feet. A 110 qt clear plastic storage bin or something like it will be adequate.
• Cages should be ONE LEVEL!
• Solid surfaced flooring is required, and should be plastic instead of metal or glass. This is because hedgehogs have narrow, long legs with small feet that can get trapped and broken easily in a grate type surface. Plastic is preferred, as it’s easier to regulate heat/cooling in.
• Have enough room for an 11″ diameter wheel with a solid running surface. Wheels are higher than their diameter, typically by a few inches.
• Cages need adequate ventilation. Plastic totes can be easily modified by drilling air holes at the tops of the sides. Alternatively, those totes can have the tops replaced with screening.
• Cages can be plastic bottomed wire cages (not really recommended), or the simple clear storage tote can make for excellent (and creative!) housing.
• Consider a large, top opening cage for accessibility.
Be sure to measure your cage space at the bottom. Width and length. Multiply them together to get the square footage.
When using inches to measure the cage, use the formula below to measure square footage:
a=length
b-width
c = total square inches
d= total square feet
axb=c/144 = d sq ft
eg – 12×36=432/144=3sqft
Cages should be cleaned at least once a week, and odor won’t be a problem.
Spot cleaning the cage daily, and/or litter box training help extend full cleaning.
Not all hedgehogs are willing to potty train, but it’s definitely worth the effort!