hedgie-proofing

[AltoClariTone]

i'm preparing my apartment for the new hedgie. i think he'd be ok to run around upstairs during play time if i could make sure he won't go under and/or behind things. how do i keep him from going under my bed? can babies go up and down stairs? is there anything else i need to know about that? should i make sure the floor is clear from anything in particular?

also, the place i'm putting the cage is conveniently right over a warm spot on the floor, because it's directly over the furnace closet. will that keep the temperature in the right ballpark? too hot?

[jules_77]

try putting his cage over the vent empty and then puttine a thermometer(sp?) in it so you can see what the temp is . as for hedgie proofing i just let my hedgie run in the bath room or hall way so he won't get under anything, but i am pretty sure he would go under your bed, and downn stairs too, you could always blockade you bed off with books or a small fence and get one of those baby gates for your stairs.

[AltoClariTone]

it's not a vent.... the floor itself is just warm. just clarifying, i don't want anyone to think i'm stopping up a vent. :hedge2:

[Ododad]

I agree with Julie. Put his home in the place you intend it to be and check to see if the temp. remains constant. About 75F seems to be the average temp. most hedgies like.
As you will soon see, your new hedgie will immediately try to hide under the bed or any other dark covered place. The more your hedgie becomes used to you and it's new surroundings, the more it will want to explore. This is normal, healthy and should be encouraged by placing small amounts of some sort of treat (treats are well discussed in the diet and nutrition forum) in different parts of it's determined play area to encourage foraging. A small play area will suffice at first, then gradually expand it to as large an area as you can. The little pet fences sold at any Walmart is perfect for this. They are about $10.00 a piece and one piece will cover about 8' straightened out. They are flexible and can go around corners. I have four of these fences and they cover my entire living room. I also place a few small cardboard boxes (for hiding), an empty large size oatmeal container(for a "tunnel"), a toliet paper tube (some hedgies love to shove their heads in this and walk around with it!), a water bowl and a food bowl inside the play area. You can be creative with toys. Keep trying different toys until you see what your hedgie will play with. I also place a towel on the floor in the play area because my crew love to play hide and seek with it. However, when using a towel like this, you have to keep watch and make sure little nails don't become intangled in the loops of the threads. Dangers in the play area can include: Stairs. A hedgie is an excellent climber but a baby can also loose it's footing and tumble down them. Any object with a sharp edge, anything that may be poisonous if ingested. A hedgie is an "opportunitest" and will most likely take a taste of most anything it comes across. Open floor vents can trap little feet. Also watch out for anything constricting that may cause a hedgie to become stuck and panic. You will find that a hedgie will want to explore the limits of the play area. You might want to make sure it cannot excape outside of the protected area as hedgies are notorious for finding ways around obstacles. After you have your new hedgie for awhile and it becomes used to you and it's surroundings, be prepared to be amazed at what the little critter can get into and how fast they actually can run. I know I was! Hope this helps, and I know that someone else will be along shortly to add to this and/or correct me.

[Vampira_666]

well I agree with Ododad seems he covered everything ..:laugh:...good luck with the new Hedgie :D

[Tampaquillowner]

Just a note. I use the wire pet "playpen" from petsmart. Its made from mulitcolored wire and it "loops" together to close. Well Tico shortly figured out how to get out of it so I outsmarted him and I tie ribbons around them to keep it closed. He hasnt yet figured out how to get underneath the fence yet *crosses fingers.* But anyway you need to make sure to watch them when they are in the playpens because Tico once got out of his and I turned around and he was under my bed. Boy was that a pain to get him out from under the bed.

[Ododad]

Just a note. I use the wire pet "playpen" from petsmart. Its made from mulitcolored wire and it "loops" together to close. Well Tico shortly figured out how to get out of it so I outsmarted him and I tie ribbons around them to keep it closed. He hasnt yet figured out how to get underneath the fence yet *crosses fingers.* But anyway you need to make sure to watch them when they are in the playpens because Tico once got out of his and I turned around and he was under my bed. Boy was that a pain to get him out from under the bed.
Very good point! I forgot to add not to leave a hedgie unattended as they are little escape artists.
Thank you!

[teela1342]

I can't stress the escape artist factor enough. The first two months I had Jake (he was already an adult when I got him) he would pretty much stay put. But lately he had decided he is just too much man to be contained. He has pushed heavy things aside, climbed tall sections of fence, and generally tried to outsmart me at every turn. I keep thinking I have him trapped, and he keeps getting out. Luckily, I have a great Beagle who likes to use her instinctive hunting abilities. She finds him every time.

[Ododad]

I fear that before long, I am going to have that problem with Frodo. He won't stay put. Odo escaped off of the couch last night, I didn't even see her but Dar looked just in time to see Odo's butt go over the couch arm.

[teela1342]

I fear that before long, I am going to have that problem with Frodo. He won't stay put. Odo escaped off of the couch last night, I didn't even see her but Dar looked just in time to see Odo's butt go over the couch arm.

Isn't it funny how fast they are. While I am watching, Jake sniffs and pokes around. But the minute I blink he turns on the turbo jets.

I swear I am an intelligent, problem-solving, common sense kind of woman. I have never been accused of being lax with the safety of my animals. But Jake almost has me bested. I'v tried giving him a bigger living area, but it doesn't have a lid. The sides are incredibly tall, so he has stopped trying to climb out. He prefers the bulldozer method. He tries to shove a corner of the enclosure. If I don't close it just right he headbutts it until he can squeeze out. I usually keep my bedroom door shut, so he doesn't get anywhere that he could get hurt. But it is just funny and irritating at the same time. My next paycheck I am going to buy some heavy construction equipment and make him a more secure home.