Pixie Pets
Fort Wayne, In
pixiepets@outlook.com
Supply Links
Below is a list of supplies, some pros and cons of each, and links where you can find them. If you are buying a hedgehog from Pixie Pets, these supplies are the most likely ones to get your setup approved. If you deviate from this list, you run the risk of not getting approval and delaying or canceling your sale/pickup.
Enclosures
If you want to know if an enclosure you are looking at is big enough, take the width in inches and multiply by the length, then divide by 144 and you will have the square feet. Minimum for a hedgehog is 4sf, 6sf is better, 8sf max. Anything bigger or smaller will cause anxiety and stress.
Plastic Tote:
Pros: Holds heat, easiest to clean, easiest to modify, square footage can be expanded by adding totes together with pvc pipe, cheapest option, easy to source locally.
Cons: Must be modified for ventilation, most totes are not big enough.
Where to Buy:
C&C Cages:
Pros: Can make into any size, can make different shapes to fit corners etc, moderately easy to modify, moderate costs.
Cons: Must be modified to prevent climbing and hold heat, can be on the flimsy side, hard to source locally.
Where to Buy:
Amazon - coroplast sheets
Midwest Ferret/Critter Nation:
Pros: 6sf is a perfect size, moderately easy to modify.
Cons: Needs modified to prevent climbing and hold heat, most expensive option, can only be bought online unless found second hand, has a 2nd half story or stackable 2nd cage addition that is not appropriate for hedgehogs but people still try to use them without modifications, this is a NO.
Where to Buy:
Amazon - cage
Amazon - coroplast sheets
Midwest Guinea Pig Cage:
Pros: Good size, easy to clean, moderate costs.
Cons: Needs modified to prevent climbing and hold heat, hard to source locally, bottom is canvas and can be damaged over time, bars also run along the bottom under the canvas and not exactly the best for hedgehog feet.
Where to Buy:
Amazon - cage
Amazon - coroplast sheets
Enclosures that are not ok (including but not limited to):
Aquariums - These leave cold spots and have zero cross ventilation
Rabbit Hutches - Usually too small, mesh/wire sides and bottoms, wood soaks up urine, ramps.
Small Totes - Must be a min of 4sf, measured on the bottom "floor"
Cages with 2 stories and ramps - Hedgehogs suck at climbing and have poor depth perception, they will walk right off any edge without a second thought.
Cages with unprotected bars - You must modify any barred cage with coroplast (akak corrugated plastic) to prevent bar climbing.
Cages with bars or spaces bigger than 1" - Hedgehogs will get stuck in anything over 1", smaller hogs may get stuck in anything over 1/2".
Bedding
All bedding other than fleece should be frozen in a deep freezer (sub zero) to kill any mites or mite egss that may be hitching a ride. Alternatively, you can bake the bedding in a pan 1-2" deep at 200 degrees for at least an hr. It is so easy to get mites from pet store bedding.
Fleece:
Pros: Reusable, moisture wicking, cheap, customizable, no threads for toes.
Cons: Not all fleece is the same (antipill is better than blizzard), fire hazard (plastic fibers melt quick), digging animals can shred it.
Where to Buy:
Aspen:
Pros: Absorbent, easy to clean, easy to source locally.
Cons: I hate the smell of urine soaked wood, consumable, mite risk, boys may get it stuck in penile sheaths, can be dusty.
Where to Buy:
KILN dried Pine:
Pros: Absorbent, easy to clean, easy to source locally.
Cons: I hate the smell of urine soaked wood, consumable, mite risk, boys may get it stuck in penile sheaths, must be kiln dried or it's toxic, can be dusty.
Where to Buy:
Paper:
Pros: Absorbent, easy to clean, easy to source locally.
Cons: I hate the smell of urine soaked paper, consumable, mite risk, boys may get it stuck in penile sheaths, can be dusty, sometimes has "odor control" additives.
Where to Buy:
Bedding that is not ok (including but not limited to):
Cedar - Toxic to all living animals, just don't.
Non Kiln Dried Pine - Toxic
Corn or other "Natural" products - Say no
Cat/Clay litter - I shouldn't have to explain why this is a bad idea.
Pellets - There is nothing wrong with pellets, other than as bedding, they may not be the most comfortable thing to be walking around on all night.