Do you think aquariums are cruel?

[lilblue_frog]

Today I feel like learning about hedgies, so that's what I'm doin (hey it beats working! :lol: )

While reading today this question popped in my head, and I couldn't help but ask it. When I say aquariums I don't mean something obviously cruel like a 5 gallon tank. Keeping one hedgie in a 15 or 20 gallon. So what do you think?

[atorgerson]

I would worry that the hedgie would over-heat. I know that they're supposed to like it hot, but all mine get very cranky if it gets above 80.

Plus, mine love climbing up the sides of their cages so much that it seems a bit mean to give them something they couldn't climb.

I don't know of any specific reason you couldn't keep them in an aquarium though. I'm sure people sucessfully have, I'm just not one of them.

Ana Kristine

[lil22]

i do know of a lot of people who do keep their hedgies in aquariums...but i, like atorgerson would worry about overheating. I'd also be concerned with the circulation of air (which sort of follows the same lines of the over-heating issue). Then again, a lot of people are agains wire-type cages. I guess it's more personal choice.

[Kerrie]

Down on aquariums here!
One..poor air curculation
Two..Smell build-up. Hedgie urine can get strong inside glass tanks.
Three..Difficult to clean on a weekly basis.
JMO...:)

[starkissed]

It seems like it would be more of a pain to have an aquarium. It's cruel to keep a hedgehog in a small space and any aquarium I would consider big enough would be too heavy to move (and I move all cages to the bathroom for cleaning). I imagine odor and temperature would be hard to control, but a lot of people use sterlite or rubbermade storage containers and they don't have a lot of ventalation...even when done properly (with holes in the sides for air flow).

[Cortezcoronado]

I would be worried that a hedgehod wouldn't have a lot of room to run around. This is the type of cage Koosh has had for the past three years, and he loves it.

[Lauren]

I personaly would NEVER put one of my hedgies in one.

[luinecu]

I think, that if done in the right way, it wouldn't be crule.
a) Aquarium being big enough
b) cleaning every day
b) not in a hot room, or in direct sunlight.

But it would be a huge hassle. It is much easier just a use a cage if you have a choice.

[superkat]

My hedge is in a big 30-gallon aquarium, I think she's okay. She has it all to herself, and has all her toys spread out. I live in Seattle, so it doesn't get hot usually, but I imagine if you live in a hot hot place it might be less comfortable for your hedgie. But so far, no problems! I clean it by going back and forth from the bathroom, since it is pretty heavy.

[I_Love_Roo]

i know what you mean i have a 20 gallon and its heavy too!