Caging options

There's a few things to consider when choosing the right cage for your hedgehog. You'll want a cage that is the appropriate size, can be sanitized and is safe for your hedgehog. Bars, platforms and ramps can cause injury and should be avoided.  I've taken some popular cage options and broke them down into pros and cons.

Totes

I always recommend totes for cages. I find that the 105-106 qt totes from Walmart and Home Depot work the best for us. They are by far the safest cages for your hedgehog.

Pros

• Readily available in stores
• Come in various sizes
• Easy to heat
• Easy to clean and sanitize 
• Inexpensive
• No bars, ramps or platforms that could potentially cause injury

Cons

• Not the most appealing to look at
• The lid will need to be altered for the lamp to sit on

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​​Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat

The midwest cages are another option if you want something other than a tote. These work great with fleece!

Pros

• Affordable
• Lots of floor space
• Great for people who prefer fleece bedding

Cons

• May want to purchase the "plus" or the top panel for the lamp to sit on
• Don't work well with bedding other than fleece 
• Harder to heat, may need two lamps
• Has bars (can be lined with coroplast to make it climb-proof)​

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C&C Cages

C&C cages can be made with grid storage cubes and coroplast. These are also great cages for people that prefer fleece bedding. Coroplast will need to be 8-10" tall.

Pros

• You can make them yourself and choose the size that you want
• Great for fleece bedding

Cons

• Takes a bit of thought and preparation to make
• Will need to line with coroplast
• Will need to create a secure place for the lamp
• Harder to heat, may need two lamps
• Harder to clean if using bedding other than fleece

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Critter Nation Cage

A spacious cage option. All ramps need to be removed. Cage needs to be lined with coroplast to cover all bars. The lamp is usually secured to the frame of a shelf.

Pros

• Well built and will last forever
• Lots of floor space 
• Can purchase add on units
• Shelf for storage
• Doors open wide for easy cleaning

Cons

• Expensive
• Needs to be lined with coroplast
• Ramps must be removed
• Takes a lot of unnecessary space 

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​Wooden Cages & Hutches

I don't recommend these wooden cages, mostly because it takes a lot of effort to make them safe and sanitary. 
While these cages are more appealing to look at, wood is near impossible to sanitize. The the urine will soak into the wood and harvest bacteria. 
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Cons

• A lot needs to be done to make it sanitary and safe
• The heat emitter would be a fire hazard 
• Expensive
• Ramps need to be blocked off and removed

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Plastic and Wire Cages

Hedgehogs are climbers and they can injure themselves on the bars. There have been cases of hedgehogs getting their heads stuck between bars, broken legs, bruising and injuries from falls. There are several different varieties of these cages available. Some also have platforms and ramps which are not suitable for a hedgehog. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight and aren't the most graceful creatures on earth. These cages can be altered by removing any ramps and platforms and by covering the bars with coroplast to prevent climbing.

pros

• Easy to clean
• Lamp can sit on top

Cons

• Bars, some have ramps and platforms that need to be removed
• Need to be altered with coroplast​

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Aquariums and terrariums

I do not recommend tanks of any kind. Tanks are designed to hold water/humidity and have poor ventilation, both of which will cause respiratory illness in hedgehogs. The cons definitely outweigh the pros on tanks.