What kind of bedding do hedgehogs need

The dark gray color of this product may make the cage look dirty or disguise abnormal hedgie poop. We have had some reports that it is virtually dust free as well as conflicting reports that it is very dusty. We have found it to be just slightly dusty and the amount of dust depends on handling and burrowing of the animal. Several colors and varieties are available. Many veterinarians recommend Care Fresh Ultra. Cons The traditional gray color is not very attractive and may make the cage look dirty or disguise abnormal hedgie poop.

We have found for best odor control and appearance cages should be cleaned twice a day. There is a small risk of the hedgehog ingesting this material with food or out of hedgehog curiosity. Paper swells when wet and can cause an intestinal blockage. This product is so lightweight that it may be kicked out of wire cages. It is clingy and can be difficult for a vacuum cleaner to sweep up. Cell-Sorb Plus is heat treated and made with recycled paper and a non-toxic, patented, neutralizing chemical gypsum.

There are no enzymes or biocides in the paper bedding to control odor. The ink in the paper is soybean based. It is virtually dust free but the pieces can crumble. The manufacturer claims it completely eliminates ammonia levels for up to 3 weeks. It absorbs urine; neutralizes urine odor and allows the liquid to evaporate. It even pulls the moisture out and dries the feces.

According to the manufacturer it is more economical to use than wood shavings. You don't have to change it as often so you use less and you have less to dispose of.

Also, it can be flushed in moderate quantities. Cell-Sorb Plus is environmentally friendly because it is biodegradable and can be used as a landscaping fertilizer and soil conditioner. Cons The dark gray color of this product may make the cage look dirty or disguise abnormal hedgie poop. It may be hard to find. We found that our cages needed to be cleaned more frequently when compared to pelleted pine.

Newsprint Plain, unprinted newsprint can be used in sheets to line the bottom of the cage. Most newspapers will give away or sell very cheaply the paper at the end of their newsprint rolls. Virtually dust-free and very absorbent, all their bedding products absorb up to three times their weight in water. Low-dust environments reduce the likelihood of wood-dust induced respiratory irritations and allergies, in both the animal and caretaker.

They proudly pursue adding to the environment by recycling, composting and other means rather than encroaching on nature's habitat. Critter Chips are a great bedding for a wide assortment of small and medium size animals including but not limited to: birds, cats, dogs rodents, cavies, ferrets and pot-bellied pigs. Packaging: 7. Fabric Options Fabric Pros Different types of fabric are good options for people with allergies or hedgehogs with bedding sensitivities.

Many owners like the fact that the bedding is recyclable and stores easily. Fabric is less likely to harbor mites than other products. There are no wood splinters, dust, or small pieces to get on the floor. Cons One must be diligent to watch for any loose threads that can wrap around toes or feet. A small fiber or thread can cause permanent damage to a toe or foot in less than six hours. She has amputated many toes and feet at her practice due to this type of injury. Be careful with woven or knit materials.

Loose strings or threads can get wrapped around hedgies legs and toes. Always check handmade items for loose threads at the seams and all bedding for holes or other potential dangers. This type of bedding may not be a good idea for hedgies who are not litter box trained. Fabric absorbency can be affected by fabric softeners and how new the material is at time of use. New material and fabric washed with fabric softeners may cause the urine to puddle.

The relatively smooth surface may allow for accessories to slide and be tipped by your hedgehog. Use Suggestions Some hedgehog owners choose to wash their hedgie laundry with Dreft or other detergent for sensitive skin just to be on the safe side and to reduce the possibility of fragrance irritations. Light weight accessories may need to be anchored to the bedding with Velcro. We suggest using light colors of fabric so that you can detect changes in urine and stool color or consistency that darker fabric colors may hide.

Bleach will break down the fabric so other antibacterial cleaning methods should be explored. Vellux Many hedgehog hobbyists prefer to use Vellux blankets found in the bedding section of Wal-Mart or similar store in the bottom of hedgie cages as an alternative to bedding. The blanket pieces can be changed every two to three days, washed, and reused. Vellux will generally hold its shape for many washings, will not unravel, and will hold up to hedgies scratching it.

Do not use bleach on vellux because it can break down the blanket fibers. Fleece Fleece is relatively inexpensive and can be found most places where fabric is sold. The anti-pill varieties might last longer and wear better than traditional fleece.

Do not bleach because it may cause break down of the material. Follow manufacturer suggested washing instructions. Crib Liners Fleece is relatively inexpensive and can be found most places where fabric is sold.

These thick pads are found in the baby section of many department stores. They are excellent options for families who no longer need them. Other Options Corncob Bedding Corn cob is relatively inexpensive but care must be taken to keep the cage clean and dry. Corncob bedding has a tendency to retain liquids and it molds very quickly. Many molds are respiratory toxins. Frequent cleaning can decrease the potential of this problem.

These are plain papers that do not have any prints. You can purchase these materials in bookstores or local publishing houses. Wood pellets can easily remove the moisture from the hedgehog droppings faster than wood shavings.

Once it gets wet, it breaks into pieces and turns into sawdust after a few minutes. This feature will help you spot the clean and dirty areas of the hedgehog cage.

Another advantage of using wood pellets is that they do not cling to your pets or to any of the accessories in the enclosure. During the first few days, check if your pet has eaten any of the pellets. Some hedgehogs can have nasty allergic reactions to wood shavings or pellets. For these sensitive creatures, the most ideal material that you can use is fabric. Vellux and crib liners are made from very soft yet durable materials.

They do not easily spread dust, which makes them easier to handle compared to wood shavings. For people who want to save money, this bedding material is perfect for you because you can reuse it over and over again.

Furthermore, mites and other small insects do not thrive on fabric. When using fabric materials, keep in mind that you should wash them regularly to prevent any germs from spreading inside the enclosure. Always use colored fabrics so that you can easily spot any urine marks. They can easily absorb liquid, but these materials cannot remove odors. Moreover, you need to constantly check if they are infested with molds or not. The good thing about these rabbit pellets is that your hedgehog can eat it without negatively affecting its health.

If you have a garden, you can use these pellets as compost once it gets soiled. However, it should always be kept dry to prevent any bacteria from thriving. Even though it is difficult to conclude on the best type of hedgehog cage bedding to use, knowing what bedding to avoid can be helpful. Natural insect-repelling property and odor-reducing ability made cedar shavings convenient and popular as cage bedding.

These properties are due to volatile compounds in the wood. However, these same compounds can be potentially harmful to pets. Studies on laboratory animals have shown alterations in liver enzymes linked to cedar beddings. Even though the effects on domesticated animals are not yet clear, it is better to steer clear of cedar shavings altogether as a preventive measure.

Best Hedgehog Bedding. Our Recommended Bedding. Product Name. P ine. Care Fresh. Wood Pellets. Corn Cob. Having enough bedding is also very important if you want your hedgehog to be comfortable when walking around in its cage. Having enough bedding is also important for enrichment and allows your hedgehog to burrow effectively.

Bedding with good absorption and odor control will probably look pretty good after a week. Swap it out! Bedding can play a part in this. One common issue that can occur is mites finding their way into your bedding. You can do everything right and still get stuck with a mite-infested bedding shipment. Mites can find their way into bedding at the store you bought it from, the warehouse it was stored in, or directly from the manufacturer.

Chances are everything is fine, but why not look and be sure? A cause for concern is if your hedgie is scarfing down a lot of it on a consistent basis. Bedding is not meant to be eaten obviously and doing so can lead to GI issues. There you have it! Bedding is one of those things that might seem like an afterthought at first. Picking a quality product and sticking to the proper guidelines of care will go a long way in making sure that your hedgie lives a happy and healthy life.

Featured image photo credit 1. Hedgehog World. R Reviews. We hope you find it helpful. The best bedding for hedgehogs In order for us to find the best hedgehog bedding to include in this list, we did a good amount of research. Think of it this way: The bedding that you keep in your hedgehog cage is going to be around your hog almost all day.

All not good things. Kaytee Soft Granule Blend Bedding for Hedgehog Cages Kaytee is an extremely reputable brand when it comes to pet supplies, and hedgehog bedding is no different. Carefresh Small Pet Bedding 10 day odor control to keep things smelling nice Low dust and easy to clean Twice as absorbent as shavings.

Total All natural, no additives. Poppy Wooster. Next arcticle —. You May Also Like. Read More 10 minute read. Read More 14 minute read. Picking the right hedgehog cage is a very important process if you want to make your hedgie happy.

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