I have a large male hedgehog. Before this cage, he was in a larger plastic bin that I had converted into a cage. The bin was big enough for him and he was happy. He ended up getting very sick to the point where I thought I was going to lose him. Aside from slowly nursing him back to health, I thought it might help his recovery or if anything help to alleviate some of the discomfort he was experiencing and give him a comfortable place with extra space in case it was his time to move on. Some of the reviews mentioned difficulties assembling the cage. I actually just had to disassemble it and re-assemble it last week and it seems straightforward. Figure out the square shape of the cage while on top of the bottom material which I spread out into a square shape. Hook the cage together (you’ll see where to hook it together). Then once you have it in a square on top of the bottom material in the same shape, just start hitching up the velcro by wrapping the pieces sewn on to the bottom material through the spaces in the cage and securely fastened and anchored on to the bars lower down on the cage that run horizontally across. That’s it. I utilized the extra space to attach an extra no-drip water bottle to the side of the cage for him. There was one time when the water spilled out completely from the normal bottle we use. Only an hour or so had passed before we noticed it, but my hedgehog needed to get well and remain healthy so I wanted to make sure there was always a full water bottle for him that didn’t drip. Shortly before I purchased this cage I honestly didn’t think he’d make it to Thanksgiving and I was quite sad about it. Well, somehow he made it to Thanksgiving. His little hedgehog birthday is on Christmas Eve and so I bought the cage as sort of an early birthday/Christmas present for him. Hoping to boost morale even more. It is almost Valentine’s Day and I can’t describe how it feels to hear him crunching away on his solid food again in his big, open, clean, cage. I thought he would never run on his wheel again, but sure enough I can sometimes hear him at 3 AM in his big spacious cage scurrying about from his hide, to his food dish, to the water bottle, then to HIS WHEEL! *pitter **patter***pitter **patter* I have no doubt that this cage made him happier and therefore helped him recover faster. I was a bit worried he might be able to chew or scratch through the floor, but he cant. He gets aggressive with his play biting sometimes and he cant get through the bottom material at all. Not even close. I can’t say anything for other four-legged creatures, but my hedgehog can go into tank make and really thoroughly trash his cage. Especially after I clean it. But when the dust settles all he managed to wreck were some of his paper towels. It passes that chew/scratch proof test for my hedgehog. If you are thinking your animal could use more room, I really do encourage you to get it for them. They’re going to be in it all day so why not offer them the extra space this cage provides? I also would encourage you to get a backup drip proof water bottle. You don’t have to refill it as often and it really can make a difference between life and death if something happens to their main bottle. I really like the peace of mind of knowing he has a full bottle no matter what. And honestly, this cage is a breeze to clean. You can dissemble it, then carefully drag the bottom material in a fairly sturdy fold/taco shape outside and then shake out the loose bits of food and other presents the hedgehog may have left for you. Shake those out too. Away form the house preferably. A little bit farther. You’re good. When it is clean and sometimes hosed down depending on the caliber of presents that had been left for me, I will then lay down some larger puppy training pads to line the entire bottom of the cage. With some extras under HIS WHEEL ???? Then I cover it with some fleece. Doesn’t have to be perfect. Just some extra fleece blankets with hedgehogs printed on them. More room more blankets. In all honesty, I am beyond grateful for being able to purchase this cage when I did and have it delivered quickly. Again, get an extra backup bottle, and if you’re pet rodent, insectivore, or whatever pet you have is a little bit okder... if your pet is advancing in age, I do encourage you to get this for them. You love them. They may or may not love you at times, but it is worth it and I doubt you’ll regret it when you see them happily running around in the extra space. They will appreciate you for it in some way or another.
