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Contents
Are heating pads safe for hedgehogs?
You can use a human heating pad under half the care or under the area where the hedgehog prefers to sleep. The heating pad must be adjusted so that it is not too hot. Sick and injured animals have been known to burn themselves on heating pads.
Is a heating pad or lamp better for hedgehogs?
If you can’t use a heating lamp for one reason or another, you can utilize a heating pad instead. These can be placed underneath the cage and keep the cage warm so that your hedgehog doesn’t get too cold. However, they are more prone to creating hotspots and can cause burns in extreme situations.
What’s the best heat source for a pet hedgehog?
We recommend this Flukers 150W Ceramic Heat Emitting bulb paired with its matching reflective 10″ dome to place the CHE inside. Wider the dome, the better it will disperse heat. The taller the cage and further away from the hedgehog your CHE will be, the more wattage it needs to be.
What temperature is too cold for hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs are sensitive to temperature changes. The ideal range is between 75°F and 85°F. However, they will tolerate temperatures between 72°F and 90°F. Hedgehogs can go into a hibernation-like state of inactivity when temperatures are too hot or too cold.
How do you warm up a hedgehog cage?
Hedgehog heating pads are another great way to keep your hedgehog warm. You’ll pretty much see owners split down the middle when it comes to pads vs lamps. The best way to use them is by placing them underneath half of the cage.
How can I keep my hedgehog warm at night?
- Use a Thermometer.
- Thermostat.
- Drafts.
- Heating Pads.
- Heating Lamps.
- Ceramic Emitters.
- Space Heaters.
- Thick Blankets.
Can you use puppy pads for hedgehogs?
How can I litter train my hedgehog? You can use small wood chips or dust free shavings, care fresh bedding or another substrate or you can use fleece liners with puppy training pads as we do.
What kind of heat lamp do hedgehogs need?
However, with one pet hedgehog who lives in your own living space, you will need to choose a method of warming their environment without impacting too much on yours. The main way to do this is by using ceramic heat emitters.
Should I leave a light on for my hedgehog?
Light. Because they are nocturnal, hedgehogs do best with a consistent source of light for about 12-14 hours each day. It’s a good idea to have a light with a timer near the cage, or keep an overhead light on for the allotted time.
What temperature is too hot for a hedgehog?
Hedgehogs are most comfortable between 74° and 76°F, which is 23° to 24°C. If the temperature gets too low, your hedgehog may ball up and try and go into hibernation, which could be fatal. If the temperature is too high, which is above 80°F or 27°C, your hedgehog could be headed towards heat stroke.
Do pygmy hedgehogs need heat?
What temperature do Pygmy hedgehogs need? Hedgehogs need their enclosure to be kept between 21 – 25 degrees Celsius. The temperature should never drop below 18 degrees Celsius or rise above 28 degrees Celsius. If a Pygmy hedgehog gets too cold, she may attempt to hibernate.
What temperature is too hot for a hedgehog?
Hedgehogs are most comfortable between 74° and 76°F, which is 23° to 24°C. If the temperature gets too low, your hedgehog may ball up and try and go into hibernation, which could be fatal. If the temperature is too high, which is above 80°F or 27°C, your hedgehog could be headed towards heat stroke.
Do hedgehogs like heat?
Hedgehogs like things warm, and it’s important to keep a a hedgehog’s cage between 72 and 80 degrees F. It can be dangerous, and even fatal, for a hedgehog to get colder than 70 degrees. The drop in temperature can cause a hibernation attempt. On the flip side, try to keep things from getting too hot as well.
Keeping Your Hedgehog Warm
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Do Hedgehogs Need a Heat Lamp? What You Need to Know! | Pet Keen
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- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Do Hedgehogs Need a Heat Lamp? What You Need to Know! | Pet Keen Updating Hedgehogs are surprisingly sensitive to temperature. It is vital that their temperature is kept at a proper level. So do they need a heat lamp?
- Table of Contents:
Heating Products for Hedgehogs
How Can I Keep My Hedgehog Warm Without a Heat Lamp
What Temperature is Too Cold for a Hedgehog
How Long Do Hedgehogs Need Heat Lamps
How Do I Know If My Hedgehog is Cold
Conclusion
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Hedgehog Heating & What Not To Use – YouTube
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Keeping Hedgehogs Warm: Heat Lamps, Pads, & Other Tips
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The Smart Approach To Hedgehog Heating
The Best Heating Products For Your Hedgehog
The Importance Of Monitoring The Temperature
What To Avoid And Prepare For
Conclusion
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Hedgehog Heating System – Petnap Heater for Hedgehogs
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- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Hedgehog Heating System – Petnap Heater for Hedgehogs Updating Hedgehog Heater, the problem has always been that a typical pet heat pad reaches a to higher temperature for a hedgehogs. HEDGEHOGS should be around 26C.
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How do you Keep a Hedgehog Warm? Our top picks – African Pygmy Hedgehogs
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- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How do you Keep a Hedgehog Warm? Our top picks – African Pygmy Hedgehogs Hedgehogs need heat to keep warm, with a heat pad mat being safe for plastic cages and ceramic heat lamps being safe for vivariums. Thermostat control using … Hedgehogs need heat to keep warm, with a heat pad mat being safe for plastic cages and ceramic heat lamps being safe for vivariums. Thermostat control using a thermometer inside the cage is highly recommended.
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How to heat a plastic hedgehog cage
How to heat a hedgehog vivarium
These are the Top 3 Heat Pad Mats for 2020
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Keeping Your Hedgehog Warm
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Keeping Your Hedgehog Warm
Care and Acclimation | Handling Tips and Instructions | Litter Training | Bathing & Nail Trimming
Indoor & Outdoor Play | Hedgehogs on the Loose | Keeping Your Hedgehog Warm
Bonding With Your Hedgehog | Biting Keeping Your Hedgehog Warm Words of Caution Many heat sources are available through a variety of sources. We have yet to find the perfect heat source that will work under all conditions.
Anything that plugs in has potential to short out and cause a fire, overheat and cause burns, or fail to work.
One must be cautions with overhead heating options so that they aren’t knocked over causing burns, injuries or fires. Also, hedgehogs can over-heat in a small aquarium that is not well-ventilated.
The best heating options seem to be maintaining an appropriate ambient room temperature or heating only a portion of the cage so that the hedgehog can move away if it gets too hot. Heating Options Heating Pad You can use a human heating pad under half the care or under the area where the hedgehog prefers to sleep. The heating pad must be adjusted so that it is not too hot. Sick and injured animals have been known to burn themselves on heating pads. The animal doesn’t realize that it is too hot or it is unable to move from the heat. Many of these burns are not visible from the outside but internal damage will be obvious a couple days later. Many new models of human heating pads have an automatic shut off. Look out for the automatic turn offs because the hedgehog will not have consistent heat.
Reptile Heating pads Many under tank heaters designed for reptile use will also work well for hedgehogs. You must read the instructions to make sure the stick on mat won’t get too hot for your cage. Most under tank heaters must be applied directly to the cage so that air does not flow between the cage and the heating element. We found that Zoo Med’s Hermit Crab heater will create a nice warm spot in on small section of the cage. It is enough to create a nice place to sleep but it will probably not be sufficient for temperatures lower than 72°F. Remember to use safety precautions recommend by the manufacturer
Space Heaters Some people are able to use small ceramic space heaters. Remember to use safety precautions recommend by the manufacturer. The heaters themselves don’t get hot and aren’t very expensive to run. Heaters do cycle on and off so it is important to monitor the highs and lows during its cycling. You may have a problem keeping a large area at a warm enough temperature.
Micro-Heat Disc or Snuggle Safe Heat Disks These 12” plastic disks are designed for use as puppy warmers and are found with the dog and puppy supplies at some larger pet stores. The warmers are about an inch and a half thick and about the size of a medium size Frisbee. They are made from a hard plastic (usually bright pink) and can be wrapped in a towel or placed in a cover designed specifically for them. These warmers are supposed to stay warm for 12 hours and many hedgie owners use them and like them but when we tested them ours didn’t quite work so well
Heat Bulbs Heat lamps are another option. We suggest a black or red bulb so the hedgehog’s natural light cycle is not disturbed by having continuous white light. We have never used heat lamps on hedgehogs but we have customers that have reported good results. These are not the safest options for Plastic containers or aquariums. A low watt bulb and close monitoring MAY work but other options would be better
Heat Rocks Heat rocks are a ceramic rock that gets hot and is traditionally used for reptiles. We do not recommend heat rocks because they can get very hot and they are not easily regulated. They are usually an odd shape and difficult for the hedgehog to sleep on
Power Outages One must always be prepared for a power outage if you live in an area whose temperature gets cold or cool in the winter.
Power outages for long periods in cool weather can be just as dangerous as short power outages in extreme cold.
When using alternative power or heat one must use caution and be aware of potential safety hazards. Conserve the Heat You Have Wrap your hedgehog’s cage in heavy blankets.
Give your hedgehog extra sleeping bags or extra pieces of fleece to make their sleeping area cozier. Disposable (Or Reusable) Instant Heat Packs These sources of instant heat hand warmers can be found in the hunting, camping, or sporting goods section of most stores. We have also seen them used for reptiles and other baby animals so you may find them in through various other sources as well.
Re-usable ones can often be found at flea markets or through other specialty vendors.
They are relatively inexpensive and easy to store.
We have found that some will not work if they have been stored for long periods. It is a good idea to have fresh ones available. Generators Generators are valuable to not only your pets but can be quite handy for you. There is a huge price range depending on how much power they can supply.
If you have a generator you can use many of the heating options described above.
Propane or Kerosene Heaters These types of heat sources are the most dangerous but they are also the most effective for heating larger areas for longer periods of time if a generator is not available.
Our animal room is heated with propane so that should the electric go out we still have a constant heat source. The blower doesn’t work but we can are able to adjust the heat and/or open a window if it gets too hot! Body Heat One of the safest and most effective ways to keep your hedgehog (or any pet) warm is to snuggle!
Your prickly friend may be harder to cuddle under the covers with than your family dog but it certainly is possible.
We suggest putting on a couple layers of loose fitting shirts and warm clothing. Tuck two or three of the shirts inside the top of your pants. You can then sandwich your hedgie between the layers.
Remember that your hedgehog still needs to breathe so a loose fit allows the most warm air circulation. Warming Up a Cold Hedgehog A hedgehog that is cold or feels cool to the touch is in serious danger.
Captive bred hedgehogs are not as accustomed to hibernation and can die from to them what is an unnatural torpor.
Warming up a hedgehog too quickly can do more harm than good. A warm, gentle heat is preferred over forceful direct heat.
Our most successful method for warming a cold animal is direct human body heat. Hold the animal in your hands, tuck it in your shirt, or whatever other method feels comfortable to you.
Heating pads can also be useful but one must be careful not to overheat or burn an animal that is too sick to move away from the heat.
Also, don’t assume that the external heating device is doing the trick when in fact it may not be warm enough.
An animal that has gotten too cold and recovered is more susceptible to future incidents. Back | Top | Next
Do Hedgehogs Need a Heat Lamp? What You Need to Know!
Hedgehogs generally need to be kept warmer than room temperature. Therefore, they often need a heat lamp or some other device to keep them warm. Because your pet will rely on this device to stay healthy, it is vital that you purchase the right product.
If you don’t keep your hedgehog warm, they may try to hibernate. While this may not sound like a huge problem, hedgehog hibernation is often deadly. While they can hibernate, they simply aren’t very good at it.
Therefore, we recommend keeping them in a room that tends to be a bit warmer (a room with a serious draft would be a no-no). However, you should also have a heat lamp over their cage to ensure that it is at the correct temperature. Both of these methods together will ensure a healthy hedgehog.
Simply put, yes, your hedgehog will probably need a heating lamp. But there are other methods for keeping them warm, as well.
Heating Products for Hedgehogs
If you’re looking to keep your hedgehog warm, you probably want to purchase a heating lamp. This method is the most straightforward option. There are many different heating lamps out there, so you’ll likely be able to find the right lamp for your needs. Be sure to check the directions on the lamp and bulb you purchase, as they will determine how high you need to place the lamp over the cage.
You should also purchase a thermometer to monitor the temperature—don’t just trust the lamp to do its job.
Alternatively, you can also invest in a heating pad, which also helps keep your hedgehog warm. However, be cautious with these products, as they can also cause burns and unevenly heat the cage. Still, if you use them correctly, they can be a great option for most hedgehogs.
Heating pads are simply a bit more challenging to use than a heating lamp.
How Can I Keep My Hedgehog Warm Without a Heat Lamp?
If you can’t use a heating lamp for one reason or another, you can utilize a heating pad instead. These can be placed underneath the cage and keep the cage warm so that your hedgehog doesn’t get too cold. However, they are more prone to creating hotspots and can cause burns in extreme situations. If you go with a heating pad, you need to ensure that it is a solid product.
For situations where the power has gone out, you can use hand warmers that have been activated and stuffed into a sock. The sock ensures that the hedgehog won’t bite through the hand warmers, which can be potentially toxic. Arrange these socks in a few different places throughout the enclosure for a few hours of heat.
You can also hold your hedgehog against your skin, as you are typically warm enough. You may also be able to use hot water to fill up water bottles before your hot water tank cools off.
What Temperature is Too Cold for a Hedgehog?
All hedgehogs should be kept at around 75 °F to 85 °F. However, your hedgehog can tolerate temperatures of about five degrees on either side of this range for a short period of time. Generally, hedgehogs are better at handling heat than they are the cold.
If they get too cold, they will start to hibernate, which can potentially be fatal. Also, sudden temperature changes can be very troublesome for a hedgehog and you should be cautious about warming them up or cooling them down too fast.
Hedgehogs will sometimes hibernate when the temperature is too hot as well, so you should keep the temperature within the ideal range as much as possible.
How Long Do Hedgehogs Need Heat Lamps?
Hedgehogs will always need heat lamps. However, these lamps need to be red in coloration, otherwise, they can interfere with your pet’s sleep/wake cycle. In other words, a light-emitting lamp will make your pet think that it is always daytime, which can be rather confusing. Instead, you need to only utilize lights that are designed for use at nighttime as well.
Typically, when you’re purchasing a bulb, it will let you know what time of the day they are meant to be used. Nighttime lights can be utilized throughout the daytime as well, assuming your pet has access to sunlight or another sort of light. (Simply put, they need to know that it is daytime.) However, daylights should only be used during the day.
How Do I Know If My Hedgehog is Cold?
Generally, the easiest way is to invest in a thermometer. Then, you can utilize the thermometer to track the temperature of the cage and ensure that it is in the ideal range. In fact, this is one of the only ways you can be sure that the hedgehog is at the proper temperature. Behaviors are not always very accurate.
However, hedgehogs may start displaying a few symptoms of being cold. For instance, they may sneeze, not eat, and appear lethargic.
Conclusion
Hedgehogs are surprisingly sensitive to temperature. It is vital that their temperature is kept at a proper level and that they are not too cold or too hot for a long period. If they are, they may attempt to hibernate. Sadly, this can be fatal, since hedgehogs are not particularly good at hibernating. It is a last-ditch effort for them to survive temperatures that they typically wouldn’t be able to.
We highly recommend that you invest in a heating lamp or pad. These products should be the primary way that your hedgehog is kept warm. However, you should also purchase some hand warmers in case you lose power. In this case you can place them in some socks to keep your hedgehog warm for a couple of hours while your power is restored.
Featured Image Credit: WildSnap, Shutterstock
The Best Hedgehog Cage Heater System
Hedgehogs need consistent temperatures and light cycles to be happy, which is why you need a proper hedgehog cage heater system in place. We want to keep your hedgehog alive and thriving, so we will go into detail below regarding our recommended heating system, supplemental heating methods, how to avoid hibernation, and our least favorite product to use. You need this information before welcoming your hedgehog home because a hedgehog could suffer health consequences if left in a higher or lower temperature environment. Let’s get started.
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150w Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE)
Pair this with a reflector dome and place directly on top of the cage over the sleeping area. This CHE emits zero light. making it optimal for hedgie.
We recommend this Flukers 150W Ceramic Heat Emitting bulb paired with its matching reflective 10″ dome to place the CHE inside. Wider the dome, the better it will disperse heat. The taller the cage and further away from the hedgehog your CHE will be, the more wattage it needs to be. If it is positioned closer to your hedgie’s sleeping area following correct manufacturers guidelines for spacing between your pet and the bulb, short distances would only require a 100W CHE. The reflective dome has a 6′ cord and an on/off switch, and the bulb actually attaches to your thermostat for automatic heat control. Also, when screwed into the reflector dome can be attached to a lamp stand.
The lamp stand actually increases the life of your bulb by keeping it secure and away from vibrations your hedgie may make when running on their wheel. Vibrations also happen to a CHE that is directly sitting on cages when you go to clean their cage, so that is another good reason to look into using a CHE lamp stand. It is extremely important NOT to touch the bulb with your fingers. Your hands and fingers will leave behind oily residue that will significantly decrease the longevity of your CHE for your hedgehog’s cage heating system.
We highly recommend you purchase two of these bulbs and reflective domes. Depending on your cage size, you could need to install two heat emitters over their sleeping and snuggle areas – and never over their wheel. Your thermostat should come with a probe which gauges the temperature of the cage and instructs your thermostat to turn on and off when necessary. You can certainly go with the 100W CHE option, but both bulbs will reach the ideal cage temperature. Just follow the manufacturers guidelines for distances between the CHE and your hedgie.
How Should You Set Up Your Hedgehog Cage Heating Lamp?
The CHE is popularly placed directly on top of the cage facing down over the sleeping area. It can also be inside the cage if there is a barred loft area laying face down, you can make your own loft by zip tying a grid shelf inside and place the CHE face down on it. Our favorite is using a lamp stand so the CHE is balanced and untouched directly over the cage.
Follow the instructions on your bulb always for the correct distance and plug-in recommendations. The light should have an on/off switch and we recommend you have it on allt he time just because the thermostat will control that function. If you’re using the one we recommend, the dome/CHE will plug into the wall, into your dome, and then into your thermostat. We’ll talk about plugging into your thermostat next.
CHE Dome Should Plug Into A Thermostat
The ceramic heat emitting lamp’s reflector dome comes with its own on/off switch and we recommend you keep it on all the time. That’s because you can have it hooked up to a thermostat. Thermostat and a thermometer are different, and you should use both. The thermostat controls the temperature of the bulb and you tell it when to turn on or off (only if it has that setting). The thermostat can be plugged into the lamp AND the thermometer.
Temperature Inside Your Hedgehog Cage Heater System
You need to have a temperature thermometer inside each cage, regardless of what type of heater you have. The temperature inside your home that your wall thermostat reads is not an accurate reading of what the temperature is inside the cage. For that reason, we recommend you have a thermometer attached to the cage with a probe set inside of it. The ideal temperature you want to have inside the cage is between 74°F and 76°F or
23°C and 24°C. Always make sure the hedgehog’s environment never goes below 72°F/ 22°C or above 80°F/27°C .
Digital Thermometers
We recommend this Zoo Med Thermometer with probe. It is reliable, economical, and bluetooth capable. Please run your thermometer down the center of the cage to the floor, and check it multiple times per day, maybe at the same time. A heating setup is extremely important as it can mean life or death for your hedgie. If your hedgehog gets too cold, below 72°F, they may try to hibernate or go into shock. If they get too hot, they won’t be able to self-regulate the heat and begin aestivation. Hedgehogs don’t have sweat glands like we do, so overheating could be fatal.
PRO TIP: Keep a journal and log the: date, temperature, humidity, the amount of water or food your hedgehog consumed, bowel movements, medicine administered, cage cleaning time, any adjustments made to temperature or humidity, and the mood of your hedgie.
Happy Hedgie Home Environment
Pay attention to your hedgehog’s behavior, you will notice if they prefer slightly higher or lower temperatures. If you spot any skin irritations, lethargy, inactivity, change in appetite, weight loss (anything different really) first assess environmental factors that could have caused it. Is their environment right for them?
If you notice your hedgies cage gets cold easier and your CHE is constantly running, then maybe you should try adding another heat source to the room like a space heater. A humidifier could help combat quilling that is later to come. It also could help make the room feel warmer if set at a constant 50-55% especially if you use a warm mist. Never put essential oils inside this humidifier, and never use tea tree oil anything near a hedgehog.
PRO TIP: Keep space heater off the floor directly, never leave unattended or with children or pets running around.
Thermometer With Humidity Gauge
A thermometer with humidity percentage displayed on it can be a very useful tool for when it comes to dry skin on your hedgehog. We recommend the InkBird dual temperature and humidity thermometer with probe. Today manufacturers are also integrating humidifiers with built in humidity readers!
The humidity can make the temperature seem warmer or cooler than it actually is For example, when the temperature is ideally at 80°F and the humidity is at 75%, the cage can feel like 84°F to your hedgie. This is not good. Generally, humidity over 50% makes the room temperature feel warmer and anything below 40% makes the cage feel cooler. So, a thermometer with humidity reading as well as temperature, a humidifier, or a dehumidifier may be in your purchasing forecast.
How to Prevent Hibernation Attempts
Your hedgehog is delicate and requires a specific environment to thrive. If temperatures reach too low or too high they could think it is time to hibernate. Also, if there is not enough sun light and darkness, they could also possibly think it is time to hibernate. If they do: it can be dangerous for their health. Among the hedgehog community, it is agreed upon that the ideal temperature range is between 74°F -76°F.
The ideal light to dark ratio settings are 12 hours on and 12 hours off, and it is best to rely on natural light unless you live somewhere always cloudy. Adjust your hedgehog’s cage and heater system accordingly, be diligent and watch your hedgehog’s behavior and physical appearance . Gradually adjust these settings until you get them right. Never go more than our suggested temperature given unless a professional has directed you. But always consult your breeder, vet, and research it like you are doing now.
Do Hedgehogs Need a Light in their Cage Heater Set-up?
Hedgehogs can attempt hibernation due to light cycle as well in some cases. It is noted that a hedgehog requires at least 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night time. It is best to place a lamp on a timer over your hedgie’s cage if you live in a constantly cloudy area, but natural light is always optimal. Natural sunlight can sometimes not be enough depending on where you live, especially in the winter time when it is dark. The light can be easily placed like your CHE or can be a lamp scheduled to turn on and off automatically at certain times.
HIbernation Warning Signs
The likelihood of their survival diminishes by the hour if hibernation or aestivation occurs. They could attempt a second hibernation regardless if you fixed the temperature or day light and night time hours. The domesticated African Pygmy hedgehog cannot survive hibernation due to lack of body fat percentage and decades of breeding and diluting of their natural ability to. You can tell that the hedgehog cage heater system you’ve used has caused an ill affect on her/him if:
Your hedgie’s belly feels cold
Won’t unball
Shows unusual behavior such as appearing disoriented and lethargic
How to Revive a Cold Hedgehog
If you see your hedgehog in this state, do not put them in warm/hot water to recover them, and do not put them directly on a heating pad. You want to gradually warm them up by using the skin to skin contact method for about an hour or as long as necessary by putting him/her on your belly under your shirt. When your hedgehog’s belly is warm and they become normal again, you can tell that you’ve helped revive them. However, always run them to the vet after to check if their health is in good condition.
Supplementing The Hedgehog Cage Heater Set-Up
To avoid over-heating, make sure your space heater has the thermometer built in. Please consider that your electric bill will be affected. Space heaters do heat your entire room. If you are in the summer time with your AC on, the space heater could be constantly working against the climate of the whole room. A space heater alone may not provide adequate heat for your hedgehog cage heater system. You could also try using a floor radiator or if the AC is running, block the vent.
Prepare For Power Outages – What To Do
In the event of a power outage you’ll want to be home. Your hedgehog cannot be in cooler temperatures than it is used to for long. If this happens then don’t worry. Just tell your hedgehog they’re going to be hanging out inside your sweater/hoodie for a bit until the power comes back.
This is to share your body heat. But keep in mind any bits of material they could ingest, like pocket fluff, may not be good for them. Keep hedgie moving and keep him cuddled warm in his sack or under your shirt when this happens, and hope it’s not going to be a long lasting power outage.
If it is, you might have to hang out under a blanket with your hedgehog sharing the warmth of your breath and body heat. Hopefully their quills don’t both you, because as we mentioned above, skin to skin contact is absolutely the best way to warm up a hedgehog. If you are in an area that is prone to storms and outages, please consider getting a battery back-up. Of course, make sure to come home if you are away during the outage. Battery back-ups may only be good for an hour or two while running your 100 – 150 Watt heat lamp.
The Real Problem With Heating Pads
James the hedgehog hanging out on a snugglesafe pad instead of a heating pad
“A heating pad system for a hedgehog cage is complex in order for it to be safe, but in the long run it will pay for itself.” -heavenlyhedgies.com
Most heating pad catastrophes boil down to either user error or manufacturing defect. Sadly, many consumers use heating pads improperly or use them for purposes they were never intended for. Heating pads have gained a bad reputation because there have been cases where they melted through plastic bin cages. And have even given hedgehogs severe second and third degree burns. These tragic events were preventable by correct consumer education! If you’re interested in the safest way to implement a heating system for your hedgehog using heating pads, you can find details in the section titled Installing A Hedgehog Cage Heating System in this article. Because it has a higher initial cost for implementation and has more complexity, we don’t feel like it is the best hedgehog cage heater system for new hedgie owners. However, a heating pad system is more cost effective in electric consumption.
As an alternative to heating pads, use snugglesafe pet bed microwave heating discs instead. A snugglesafe costs around $25 USD and is a cheaper alternative to heating pads. Just pop them in the microwave as per their instructions and it could stay warm for 8-12 hours. Always read the manual for the product in case it says something different, and monitor your hedgie the first few days of use.
FINAL THOUGHTS: THE BEST HEDGEHOG CAGE HEATER SYSTEM
Without a temperature controlled environment directly inside your hedgehog’s cage, you risk your hedgehog’s well-being. Be diligent, avoid heating pads, monitor settings accordingly, and finally, take advantage of automated heating lamps, regular lamps, and thermostats. For your convenience, we’ve gathered our suggested cage heating items for you neatly in this list:
150w CHE heat emitting bulb in 10 inch dome
60 watt light bulb in 8.5 inch dome (if natural sunlight not available)
Thermostat
Backup Thermometer Dual Thermometer
Microwavable Pad
Space Heater
Battery Back-Up
Hand Warmers
Lamp Stand
Make sure you always see a vet if anything seems off about your hedgehog. As always feel free to contact us here with questions, comments, or concerns. If you have any questions you would like to ask Quilly, click here now.
Hopefully this article helped you with your hedgehog cage heater questions. If you would like more information on what you need before bringing your hog home, read this article on our essential items checklist. We will see you in our future posts about hedgehog related information!
>>> Want to see how Quilly’s cage is set-up? Come check out his new Critter Nation cage makeover now! He loves it and you probably will too ! <<<
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