Free Range Hedgies?

[Aduro]

I looked into the possability of getting a Hedgie awhile back, and it's been popping back into my head here recently. I'm thinking if I can get a few home projects done here in good time, I may allow myself to get one or two cute little buggers.

One thing I remember reading back in the day in a caresheet was that a hedgehog is easyly litter trained, and makes a great pet that can freeroam in an apparment or small house. I live in a single wide moble home, and if that doesn't count as a "small house" I don't know what would. Looking around on the forums though, I don't see any posts off hand that would suggest someone keeps theirs that way. Is it an acceptable housing meathod, or something that's discouraged?

Holes they can crawl into is not a worry, as all nooks and crannies have some form of permanent or temperary blocking as well to keep the iguanas from getting into them when they're allowed out and around. As well one of the fore mentioned home projects is fixing up and making permanent and stable the rest of the crany blockages.

Are there any other concerns or suggestions I could address befor I might attempt this?

[mommy2ryan]

I wouldn't let them roam free. Prickles was being watched on the floor of my neighbors kitchen and before I knew it she was behind the cabinets. My neighbor had to rip out her floor boards to get her. I think hedgies are too mischevious to have free range.

[Vampira_666]

I have to agree-- hedgehogs bget themselves into some areas-- you'd think even a mouse couldnt get into-- but they manage-- the only free range hedgehogs I ever remember seeing was a "aquantance" in TO- who has a small- sort of sun room type thing-- with no areas to get into-- just walls all the way around, and like sliding doors type thing as the entrance-- it ws a nice set up-- but again-- there was no way the hedgehog could have gotten into anything at all there-- I would also be concerned about the hedgehogs and Iguanas interacting- since you let them out for "free roam/play" time-- there is always the chance that one of them will get hurt because of the other! and I also noticed you said you'd like to get one or TWO of them-- hedgehogs are solitary creatures and prefer to live alone!

If you are seriously concidering getting a hedgehog do alot of research and concider a cage for your hog to live in-- it'd probably be the easiest/ safest way for you-- and make them a nice safe area- as a play area-- so they can be let out!!

[hedgehog69]

if you was to let them "free roam" I would limit the area that they are to run like a small bedroom or other small room that has been hedgehog proofed but a cage would be much safer for the hedgehog,and would save you a ton of time cleaning up poop all over the room.

[tacotac]

I have to say I saw this topic and wondered, are these the same things as free range chickens??? :winkgrin:

I would of let my past hedgie Blizz wander my room, I was just afraid she would get under my dresser and I wouldn't be able to get her out that easily. She did escape a couple times and I fortunately found her under my bed all the time.

[FiaSpice]

I'd never let my hedgie free in the house without watching her. You can't imagine the trouble we had getting her from behing the oven when she escaped from out sight. I cage/rubermade container are best.

[razzle]

I have to agree with everyone here. While letting your hedgie roam "free" seems like a nice thing to do, it comes with a lot of safety hazards that just aren't worth it. One of the saddest stories I read on this forum was of someone's hedgehog that escaped and ended up getting stuck behind/inside the stove and died.

It's hard to truly hedgie-proof a room because you just don't know where they can fit. There is also a possibility they can escape to outside. Also, I'd be deathly afraid of accidently stepping on a hedgie!

Free-roam time in a playpen or kiddie pool is ideal. Holding your hedgie and letting them run on your desk with you right there is great too. But just like a baby needs a crib or playpen for his own safety, a hedgie needs a safe place too.

[mommy2ryan]

One of the saddest stories I read on this forum was of someone's hedgehog that escaped and ended up getting stuck behind/inside the stove and died.


We were truely lucky that Prickles was "rescued" without incident. I can not even think of what could have happened

[Aduro]

Not trying to dismiss anything anyone's said. I'm auctaly suprised by and appreate the level of responce, but I have zero concern about any roamers getting under or behind anything. I learned those lessons when I had an iguana find that little hole under the toe kick of most kitchen cabnets. Had to cut holes to get inside the gap between the cabnets and the wall. The same one later decided that 1" crack at the bottom of the fridge was plenty big enough. Befor I even purchased the place I'm in now, I was on my hands and knees looking for itty bitty holes.

None of the cabnets have holes under the toe kicks.
All air vents are secured to the floor, and won't come up without a screw driver.
There was a 3" gap between one side of the stove and the cabnet next to it, which was covered up with wood molding.
4" gap between the fridge and the wall, covered up with a board. Gap under the fridge door blocked off with wood molding.
1" gap around one side of the inset furance covered with wood molding.
Custom fit panels around the plug and hose holes by the washer/dryer.
Shelving around the space between the washer/dryer and walls.
Desk, end tables, entertainment center, ect are all flush to the wall. All wiring is off the ground and secured.

The only things he could get behind would be the 5" gap between the foot of my "bed" and the closet door, and the 1' space behind the couch. Either of which would be easy to get it out of if I so chose, and really, perfectly fine if it felt like going there.

To recap, it ain't getting behind or under anything it ain't supposed to.

My primary concern would be litter training. The guide I read befor said it was exceptionaly easy and they would take to it with little effort. Of course, this was the same guide that said a hedge would be an ideal pet for appartment living, free range style, and that seems to be an unpopular opinion here.

[flybabytina]

I also noticed you said you'd like to get one or TWO of them-- hedgehogs are solitary creatures and prefer to live alone!


Is this ALWAYS the case? My 2 hedgies (from what I was told) are 7-8 month old female littermates and they came to me together and the sleep cuddled up together.....

I also have 2 female dwarf hamster littermates that sleep cuddled up together in their cage too....

I find if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... but should I be worried that they will eventually fight? Anybody else have hedgies together? Oh and I am looking in to getting a wheel, should I have 2? Will they fight over 1 wheel? If that is the case, I will need a bigger cage... should it be twice the size than for 1 hedgie????

Thanks for answering all my questions...

Tina