Hedgies like to have plenty of space and are very active during their waking hours, one of the means of meeting their 2 km push for exercise is through an exercise wheel. They are also notorious for dumping their water dish if a dish is chosen over a water bottle (have plenty of paper towel) :). Here's the list:
- Wire Cage (or equivalent) solid bottom (no wire on the bottom): 24 X 17 X 15 <-- height is important to accommodate the exercise wheel
- Large size exercise wheel <-- whisper quiet wheels available, should avoid mesh or wire only wheels
- water bottle or heavy ceramic water dish
- heavy ceramic food dish
- bedding (kiln dried aspen, pine, care fresh bedding, newspaper bedding) absolutely NO cedar
- cage liner (not a must but recommended)
- Igloo or alternate Hide-a-way housing (sleeping bag or bonding blanket(s) for warmth)
- ceramic heating circle or heating pad
- travel case <-- for Vet visits when necessary
- litter pan (dust free litter or training pad or paper towel)<-- many alternatives for litter training & pan use
- bonding blanket, blanket(s)
- small toy and tissue paper roll
- High end kitten kibble low fat high protein (NO beef), tin cat food (no BEEF)
- insects <- meal worms, silk worms, wax worms, (Krill <--cooked) (freeze dried, live or both)
- Baby tearless shampoo, Aveeno Oatmeal shampoo (for adult quilling time)
- Lots of TLC
The Hedgie Whisperers Team
Hey Sharron, Sheena here! Where do you get whisper quiet wheels becasue Meeko is drving me NUTS at night with his! It squeeks and clanks because he's gotten a little "large" and has bent the wheel all out of proportion. I bought him a new one of the same one you had provided me with and it was doing the same thing the first night I put it in. A quiet one would be a blessing! thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteSheena
Hi Sheena,
DeleteI know you and I have already taken care of this issue but I felt that what we ended up doing could benefit many others with the same predicament.
Now that I import the CSW Bucket Wheels from Larry Thomason in the U.S., I have brought many quieter living spaces to the many who were having the "NOISY" wheels drive them crazy throughout the wee hours of the morning when their beloved quilly friend would run the 5K marathon.
Fortunately, I now import the Wheels on a regular basis, the bucket wheel and the regular CSW wheel are awesomely quiet. I have imported 99% bucket wheels because of the variety of colours and they fit into any pet store bought cages much easier. I LOVE these wheels!
Sharron