Acceptable bedding materials include shredded paper, newspaper, recycled pelleted/absorbable material, and wood shavings, such as aspen or untreated pine. Avoid corncob bedding as it tends to grow mold when wet.
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.
Hedgehogs can nest in recycled newspaper and Vicki Oliver had left some outside the centre, which was destined to be used as bedding for the poorly hogs.
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.
Shredded paper isn't a good bedding for guinea pigs. One reason for this is it has probably been printed on and this can contain toxins which are dangerous for your small pets. Secondly, paper bedding that you buy for guinea pigs is soft and fluffy whereas shredded paper is not.
Although newspaper can be used to line the bottom of your guinea pig's cage, it should never be used on its own as bedding. It doesn't effectively absorb liquid, and it isn't particularly comfortable.
Towels or bed linen can be repurposed to use for guinea pigs. Ideally natural materials like cotton should be used, they tend to be more absorbent than synthetic materials. Cloth materials are not as good as fleece liners at wicking moisture away so will need changing more frequently.
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.
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.
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.
The only bedding we DO NOT recommend is cedar shavings. Cedar shavings can irritate your hedgie's skin and cause respiratory problems. We recommend trying out a couple different options so you can determine what works best for you and your hedgie; you can even mix and match your bedding options!
Paper fluff (11%)
In fourth place is paper fluff for hedgehog litter. We can certainly understand why some would be attracted to this type. It's very soft and comes in many attractive colors. You can actually color coordinate your hedgehog's litter to their environment with this stuff.
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!
Shredded paper's main advantage is that it is more absorbent than straw, shavings, peat moss and hemp. However, it's disadvantages include the risk of mould if the product has ever been exposed to the elements.
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.
Hedgehogs enjoy rooting around in bedding. A two to three inch thick layer of bedding is recommended for many types of pelleted litter and shavings. Only the soiled portions of the litter need to be removed on a regular basis.
Grapes and avocados are toxic to hedgehogs. While some people give crushed peanuts to their hedgies, nuts and raisins are generally considered a choking hazard as they get stuck on the roof of their mouth. Avoid giving your pet hedgehog insects you've caught yourself as they might have digested toxins.
Night manoeuvres
Hedgehogs, too, have been the subjects of studies on the effects of ALAN. Like bats, hedgehogs avoid artificial lighting, keeping to less well-lit areas, and this could affect other behaviours.
Fill it with lots of hedgehog-safe food and water at sunset, ideally using a hedgehog food bowl and a hedgehog water bowl. Only put out small amounts of food as this is to supplement their diet. Clear away any uneaten food in the morning and refill the dishes each evening so the food and water is always fresh.
As you know now, there are multiple ways to keep your hedgehog warm while travelling, so you don't have to worry about him falling into hibernation. Be sure to provide your hedgehog with lots of insulation, with bedding and blankets.
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.
Even for Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs, self care is so important. This little fellow is taking a dust bath and scent-anointing (rubbing the new scent into his spines).
It should be easy to clean up and biodegradable for easy disposal. There are several types of bedding available for Guinea Pigs to nest in, including paper-based, fleece, wood, and hay. The best bedding for your Guinea Pig is either a paper or fleece based bedding.
Aspen shavings are easily found in pet stores and feed stores and are pretty inexpensive. They're likely the cheapest safe bedding option you could find for guinea pigs in a store.