Avoid corncob bedding as it tends to grow mold when wet. Dusty shavings or cedar shavings should never be used as they can be irritating to your hedgehog's eyes and respiratory system.
Just say no to cedar shavings. Yes, they are cheap and found everywhere but they are also toxic to your hedgehog because they cause respiratory and allergic problems as well as potential liver changes.
Bedding such as towels without loose threads, fleece, paper bedding such as Carefresh™ or other shredded paper products should be used. Any cloth in the cage should have a tight weave that will not allow nails to become entrapped.
Pine shavings and their derivatives are the LEAST recommended by veterinary professionals. Pine shavings do not contain the harmful Plicatic Acid that cedar shavings have but they contain high levels of Abietic Acid when not heat cured which can cause similar problems after lengthy exposure.
Only solid bottom cages are suitable for hedgehogs, any wire bottom cages could trap their legs or rip off toenails. Provide a soft bedding free of dust, such as recycled paper pellets or if you use wood shavings use only kiln dried pine or aspen. Do not use cedar shavings as they could irritate your hedgehog's lungs.
If you are buying bedding for your hedgehog house, look for something as close to their natural nesting materials as possible. Hay comes out tops for hedgehog bedding in this category, and there are plenty of options to choose from.
If you don't want to pot plants in the substrate, air plants are an easy option. They can be glued to wood or cork bark (make sure to use animal safe glue). Other plants can be potted directly into the soil or in a (plastic) pot. The hedgehog might uproot the plants in its search for insects, so don't get too attached!
Non-clumping, clay kitty litter is a relatively popular substrate for litter pans. Some hedgehog enthusiasts recommend against using any clay litters for fear the dust can cause respiratory illnesses. Many owners prefer dust-free litter, but some find that their hedgehogs enjoy rolling in the litter like a dust bath.
If you should change the bedding weekly depends on how much bedding you use in the cage and how accurately you do the daily spot cleaning. So for some, it would be ok to change after about 10 days, while others have to do it after 7 days. For the change itself, it is important that you remove all the old bedding.
You can put soft hay or dried grass in as bedding, but do also try and leave some fallen leaves around for the hedgehog, not only add to options for bedding but are good places for hedgehogs to find insects and beetles which make up the bulk of their diet.
Whether it's on your lap or in its enclosure, your hedgehog needs something they can hide under or in to feel safe. This can be anything from a fleece blanket to a guinea pig hut. Hedgehogs are natural burrowers and love dark confined spaces where they can feel safe.
Hedgehog bedding at Wildlives consists of thick newspaper and a large heap of shredded paper for them to nest in. As hedgehogs are so grubby - and as we have so many - we go through piles of newspaper and bags of shredded paper everyday.
Hay, straw, and dried leaves are all good options as bedding for your hedgehog house. Provide some extra bedding in the corridor or just outside the house and you can watch them drag mouthfuls of it in to make their nest!
Slug pellets can actually kill your friendly neighbourhood hogs so it's best to steer clear of these wherever possible. There are many natural, non-toxic alternatives you can use instead, like coffee grounds or egg shells. Many hedgehog advocates are building their own hedgehog houses and putting food and water inside.
Hedgehogs naturally like to burrow, providing additional bedding gives them a more natural ability to make a bed inside their shelter. Many hedgehogs will sleep under their shelter as opposed to inside it. Providing 12x12 squares of fleece also make good sleeping material.
Many people get confused about how often they should bathe their hedgehogs. Your vet should be the ultimate authority here. That said, in general, about once a month is good. Don't bathe your pet too often: this could dry out his skin!
1. Toilet paper tubes: Hedgehogs like to wear them on their head and play "tank." Some hedgies love TP tubes so much that they learn to eat and to drink from a water bottle with the tube on their head!
Most of the time it is because they are attracted to the smell of the detergent or some sort of perfume that is on your clothes.
Cages with plastic bases are best. Since plastic is a non-porous surface, you can use a clorox wipe or a bleach and water solution to clean and sanitize. Wooden floored cages should never be used because feces and urine will get into the wood and cannot be cleaned.
Pet hedgehogs should always be caged indoors. Screened in porches are an acceptable place to play depending on the seasonal weather in your area. Hedgehogs are very sneaky and will take any opportunity to hide, so they need to be in an area where they can easily be found if they happen to get out of their play area.
Wild hedgehogs use deciduous leaves of intermediate size to construct their nests, such as oak, hornbeam, beech or lime. Hedgehogs will make their own nests from materials in the surrounding environment so the best thing to do is ensure there are plenty of leaves near to the box.
Build a hedgehog home
Once you've got your box and you're ready to find a place for it in your garden, here are a few things to think about: Place the box out of direct sunlight, with the entrance facing away from prevailing winds. Put it in cover, under thick vegetation for example, or under the garden shed.