Hedgehog Cage Heater Options: Which One Should You Buy?

If you have or are intending to have a hedgehog as a pet, then you should include a hedgehog cage heater in its habitat. This is because cold temperatures prompt these spiny mammals to hibernate, which can be fatal to them and could cause death in their sleep.

This may be surprising for some, since hedgehogs do hibernate by instinct when the temperature drops. The thing is, unlike their counterparts in the wild, pet hedgies don’t take in more food in preparation for winter, thus they do not have enough reserve fat to sustain them while they sleep for an extended period.

As general rule, you should not leave your hedgehog in ambient room temperatures of lower than 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 degrees Celsius). According to The International Hedgehog Association, their environmental temperature should be between 72 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 to 23.8 degrees Celsius). Dreamflower Meadows, on the other hand, says the ideal temperature is 74 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (23.3 to 25.5 degrees Celsius) while Hedgehog Central says it’s 73 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (22.7 to 25.5 degrees Celsius).

If it tends to get cold in your home, then you can provide your pet with supplemental heating sources to keep them warm and prevent them from hibernating. Remember, when choosing a product for heating a hedgehog cage, you should check, first and foremost, its safety as well as convenience and, if you are concerned with the bills, the amount of electricity it will use. Here are some options that you can consider:

· Central heating system. This provides heat to your home, although it means using up more electricity.

· Space heater. Rather than heating the whole house, you can use a space heater to warm up the room your hedgehog is in. There are some that automatically turn on and off, keeping the temperature steady.

· Bedding. The layers should be thick and warm and provides your pet with a place to curl up and snuggle when they sleep.

· Heating pads for mammals. You can put this in one corner of the cage, giving them an option to warm themselves up on it if they feel cold or stay away from it when they feel hot.

· Heat lamps. If you choose this as a hedgehog cage warmer, make sure that it is safe for pets – that is, it is right for the wattage of the bulb that you will use, and the socket is made of ceramic, not plastic, to prevent it from causing fire. A red or black bulb is recommended so as not to disturb your pet’s natural day/night cycle.

· Ceramic heat emitter. Unlike a heat lamp, this one does not produce light. Make sure to use a thermostat to keep the temperature regulated.

It would be best to use a thermometer when heating a hedgehog cage to ensure that you are maintaining the right temperature. Check this regularly.

Here are some products that are available on Amazon:

K&H Manufacturing Pet Bed Warmer

This product is meant to be placed inside a pet bed and not be used to lie down on directly. It stays at 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above the room’s ambient temperature when your pet is not in bed and warms up to its body temperature of up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit when it snuggles in.

It comes in four sizes: small (8.5 inches x 9.25 inches, 4 watts); medium (5.5 inches x 20 inches, 6 watts); large (11 inches x 23.75 inches, 13 watts); and extra large (15.75 inches) x 25.5 inches, 22 watts).

While majority of customers are satisfied with how it keeps their pets warm and toasty, 9 percent found it to not have met their expectations. Some said that it gets too hot, others said it emits little heat, while still others wrote that it does not keep a regulated temperature. One of the common complaints is that it did not last long and worked only for a few weeks.

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Zoo Med Ceramic Heat Emitter

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Reviews for this heating bulb came from chicken, reptile, dog, and small pet owners, including those who own hedgehogs, and it has so far gotten very high ratings. Basically, many laud it for providing heat without light. Others like that it heated up within seconds.

This hedgehog cage warmer is recommended for use with the Zoo Med LF-10 wire cage clamp lamp.

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"Sharon's Cozy Pet Warmer" Pet Comfort

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This product can be used either indoors or outdoors because it is both water and weather resistant; and while it is not waterproof (thus, should not be submerged in water), it can withstand rain and snow. Once plugged in, it can raise temperatures by 30 degrees. While it received praise for the warmth, others don’t like the loud sound it makes.

Whichever hedgehog cage heater you choose, you should read the instructions carefully and set up the product properly in order to keep your hedgehog and your home safe.