Need help on what to purchase.

[Lakai]

I plan on getting a Hedgie soon, I have a gecko and a tarantula. I need to know if anyone has a specific cage that works well. I'm looking for something easy to clean and has lots of room. I was searching ebay and came across some, what do you guys think of this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4370475510&category=82250&ssPageName=WD1V&rd=1

And then getting this heater because I live in MA where it can get cold? Should I get anything else to help heat the cage or will this be enough?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4376378904&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores

And what type of specific cat food is good? So when I head to petco I can pick up a large bag of it.

Thanks for your help guys! Let me know if you think the prices are too much or if I should go with something else.

[lil22]

I think I would get a different cage...or at least if you're gonna get that one, you'll need to cover the ramp with something solid like coroplast or cardboard so the little feet don't get caught in the holes. The big pet places (petco/petsmart) carry a cage that I used for a while. It's pretty big...lemme see if I can find it...yes, here it is:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0396&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026331&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1121413835568
It's long and has lots of running around space and is also tall so there's no problem getting a big wheel in there.

With the heating device, just make sure you can adjust the temp - you don't want to make the floor too hot! Just warm it up a bit.

I use a mix of foods. Chicken soup for the cat lovers soul lite, blue buffalo, wellness, wysong, and Royal Canin slim 38. It's better to use the lite foods as hedgies have a tendancy to get quite fat. :)

As for bedding, I don't know what you're planning on using, but I cerrently use liners (I sew them myself) and they seem to work perfectly. I put a litter box in there with them and just do a daily sweep through the cage with a paper towel to pick up any presents thet missed the litter box. It's much less messy than using shavings. I used to use yesterdays news and the pellets would get EVERYWHERE and I'd have to vacuum ALL THE TIME! Wood shavings were even worse! Now I just put some of yesterday's news in the litter box (like one would use for a ferret) and use liners (made of vellux and fleece) for the rest of the cage.

Oh! And congratulations on deciding to get a hedgie!!! :applause:

[Nancy]

I agree with Lil. I wouldn't get that cage. Multi level cages are no good for hedgehogs without modification. Hedgehogs will walk right of the edges of things and not give it a thought. There have been cases of broken limbs and spines from falls from second levels. To use a second level it needs to be fully enclosed with a non climbable wall. The ramp should also be fully enclosed.

There are may types of one level cages that are hedgie safe. Also large clear sterlite containers make great hedgie cages. :)

[Lakai]

I liked the cage, and I knew multi levels were bad so I planned on removing the second level completely. I thought that it was a good deal and it came with everything so I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting anything and wouldn't have to go out hunting for everything.

The heater comes with a thermostat so I can adjust how hot it gets. But it will only heat one section of the cage. Is that ok even if my house gets kind of cold?

Thanks guys!

[Love4Hedgies]

http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32887&d=&bydate=&showthreadcall=1http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=32886&d=&bydate=&showthreadcall=1
Here's a suggestion. Hope it helps. :)

[paris26]

Here's a great list of FAQ that Steph put together (jandshyne). It's very thorough and has great suggestions!
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56

[lil22]

The heater comes with a thermostat so I can adjust how hot it gets. But it will only heat one section of the cage. Is that ok even if my house gets kind of cold?

Yeah that's actually a good thing that the heater would only cover part of the cage. You want them to be able to get away from it if it gets too hot for them and whatnot.

[Ododad]

To add my two cents in:
Hedgehogs really don't eat much. I always get the small bags of food and that way there is not a lot of it sitting around getting stale.
JMO :)

[lil22]

good point! Unless you have a big heard, stick with small bags. I also buy the smaller ones to add to my mix.

[Steph]

Cage wise if you're not using bins, Super Pet makes really nice cages for bunnies, etc... that are one level and have big bottoms. You could easily purchase just one ramp and put it in there (my hedgies love having just one in their Super Pet cages to run up and down) and just set it on about the third or fourth rung up so it's not high enough to cause injury. They will also have room for a wheel in the cage and a nest under the ramp/shelf. There's a rat cage they make that's smaller and that's where I got the idea, I just ordered an extra shelf when I got my cages and a ramp and made my own out of the bigger cage.