Since hedgehogs are still relatively unusual pets, it is not that easy to find commercial hedgehog cages. Luckily, it is fairly easy to buy or assemble a perfectly decent hedgehog cage with materials commonly available in discount stores or on the Internet.
Choosing the best hedgehog cage materials
The best materials are light weight, easy to clean, nonabsorbent, allow for proper air circulation, and do not have rough or dangerous surfaces.
Avoid:
· Glass or acrylic aquariums as these do not allow for proper ventilation, become dangerously warm when combined with a heating element, and tend to collect odor.
· Commercial cages with wire floors must also be avoided completely. Hedgehogs can easily fall through this type of flooring resulting in broken legs and other serious injuries.
· Wood is also not an ideal material for hedgehog cages. Wood tends to absorb body fluids and become stinky.
The best materials for hedgehog cages include sterlite storage tubs (frequently found in large discount stores like Wal-Mart for reasonable prices) and cube and cloroplast cages like those used for guinea pigs.
Size
Your hedgehog needs a minimum of two square feet of uninterrupted walking space. Supplies like food dishes, water bottles, wheels and toys typically take up two square feet. For this reason it is recommended that you select a cage that is at least four square feet total.
Where can I place my hedgehog's cage?
Since your hedgehog is very sensitive to temperature, it is very important to keep him or her out of direct sunlight, away from drafts, and not in any location that has regular temperature fluctuation.
Be sure to keep your hedgehog's cage out of areas where other pets, such as the family dog, may spend a lot of time. Even if a cage is properly secured, pets can spend a lot of time sniffing around this area. Ongoing attention of this sort is going to be stressful for your pet and simply not good for his or her health.
Finally, as hedgehogs are very active at night, keep in mind that having the hedgehog cage in your bedroom could result in interrupted sleep for light sleepers.