cage position

[Iluvhedgies]

I just read on a website that hedgies can't be kept at floor level. Is this true? I am using a tupperware container, would I have to put the cage on a table? I have seen pics before of cages on the ground, do you just need it to be warmer?
Thanks,
Natasha

[CoquiMom]

It depends on 1. Where you live 2. what type of floor you have 3. the temperature of your home, 4. what type of cage your hedgie has, and 5. what the heck roams your home!

1. I live in Florida so I don't really have to worry about winter
2. I have my hedgies in a room with carpet not on my tile or hardwood floor or cement
3. I keep my home cool (cold air settles while hot air rises)
4. I use sterilite bins and have two plastic bottom wire sides/top cages
5. I have a huge dog, a cat, a raccoon roaming my home

So my dog is pretty well trained and will leave the hedgies alone, the raccoon is brain damaged and does not mess with them, the cat finds them dull. I do have my hedgies on a shelving unit but the lowest shelf is only an inch or 2 from the floor. I use sterilites and leave the two wire sides and top cages on the top of the shelving units with covers on the top to keep breezes out. The shelves are ventilated and the sterilites are not, they just have no lids and deep shavings to burrow in.

[Nancy]

It certainly depends on where you live but because hot air rises floor level is always the coolest part of a room. In my hedgie room the lowest cage is 12" from the floor and there is at least 2-3F difference between those low cages and the ones higher up. That few degrees of difference can mean attempted hibernation or not.

Keeping them at floor level in colder climates requires much more diligence on the part of the owner to make sure hedgie stays warm. A very accurate thermometer kept at floor level is a necessity. The room might feel warm to us at our level but down on that floor could be alot colder. :)

[Iluvhedgies]

thanks! I have a tupperware cage, my floor is carpet, and there is nothing roaming my house. Should I put the cage on atable? I have 2 cages connected with a pvc tube and it would need quite a big table.

[hemi_mygirl]

I've worried about this question, as well. In just a couple days, I'll be upgrading my little Hemi's cage up to a 70 Gallon aquarium, and I may have to keep it on the floor. However, I'm thinking that laying it on a blanket may help. My room is tiled, but the house is generally warm. It usually sits at around 24-27 degrees celsius. (76-80 degrees farenheit). That should be okay, right?

Or if need be, I'll find a table to hold the tank.

Oh, and before anyone asks, I have a mesh top for the aquarium, so lots of hair circulates. And when I'm home, the top is usually off completely.

[Nancy]

I personally would find a way to get the tank up off the floor. Tile floors are usually cool and although your house is warm, you are feeling it from your height. Floor level can be much different. The blanket may help and it may not be a problem now in the summer but fall and winter would be a different matter. :)

[HedgieSpirit]

Chloe's cage is on the floor (carpet) and I keep a thermometer right on the floor, next to her cage so I can check the temperature where she is and adjust the heat accordingly.

[hemi_mygirl]

I personally would find a way to get the tank up off the floor. Tile floors are usually cool and although your house is warm, you are feeling it from your height. Floor level can be much different. The blanket may help and it may not be a problem now in the summer but fall and winter would be a different matter. :)

Thank you. I'm probably going to bring a long shelf up from downstairs, and put the cage on there.

Oh yes, since posting that, I've decided against the aquarium, and bought two huge sterilite bins..one is 55L and the other, 80L. Much better for my little girl, I imagine. And I'm going to be putting aluminim mesh screening in the lids (think, the majority of the lid will be screened), so I can close them when I'm not at home. My cat is stupid, and I think she may be tempted to crawl into the cage.

[groovychic]

I live in ND where the temp might be 40 degrees one day and 90 the next. I keep my hedgies cages in the livingroom/dining room. They each have wire cages with a plastic bottom. The cages are on the floor and I have never had a hibernation attempt. Our apartment is pretty humid and stays warm. During the winter I keep the temp around 70+. They each have a fleece blankie that is in their cage that they love and can't go anywhere without them :D