Paper-based Bedding Paper-based beddings are popular for hedgehogs. They're soft, absorbent, and usually safe. Two good options are: CareFresh Ultra and Kaytee Clean & Cozy are both great choices.
CareFresh Ultra (white) is the type recommended by Hedgehog clubs. Definitely do not use cedar or any of the aromatic Woods or anything with sharp pieces of wood because the Hedgehog is a burrowing animal on will try to crawl in 2 and under the bedding and could be harmed by short pieces of wood.
We recommend using dish soap and water with a good non-scratch sponge on the cage liner or cage bottom. Dry the liner or bottom of the enclosure well before re-covering with anti-pill fleece.
IN THE WILD
Efficient winter nests are essential if hedgehogs are to survive hibernation. In autumn they begin to collect dry leaves, grass, bracken, reeds etc. and use these materials for building their own nests at the bottom of hedgerows, fallen logs or piles of brushwood.
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.
A recycled newspaper bedding (Carefresh or similar product) should be used as a substrate for your hedgehog. Make the bedding several inches thick as hedgehogs like to burrow. The bedding should be replaced at least weekly, and changed more often as needed.
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.
Hedgehogs are known to be very communicative when it comes to their needs, and often make a low purring sound when they are happy or content.
Hedgehogs mainly eat creepy crawlies
The majority of their diet is made up of invertebrates (or creepy crawlies). We know what they eat from scientific studies that have analysed hedgehog poo or looked in the stomachs of hedgehogs killed on roads.
This decline is partly due to a loss of natural habitat, which provides both shelter and food for hedgehogs. Fencing, pesticides, garden hazards (like ponds, strimmers and netting) and development and construction also have an impact. And of course, cars are a major threat to hedgehogs, killing thousands each year.
Insects are a favorite for hedgehogs. You can offer live bugs, which will also give your tiny buddy the chance to 'hunt' his dinner. Frozen ones are fine as well. Mealworms, wax worms, silk worms and crickets are all good options.
Adult Hedgehog Looking Busy - Leave Alone
And nursing mothers may take a break from the nest during the day to go and look for food and water. So, if you see a decent-sized adult out and about looking busy during the day it is probably fine and you should leave it to go about its business.
Whether you make your own or buy one, fill the chamber of your hedgehog home with a layer of dead, dry leaves. Hedgehogs prefer small leaves such as birch, oak, hawthorn or hazel. Then screw the roof to the box so that you can remove it in future to clean the box out.
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.
Line the floor with dry leaves or straw to provide insulation and comfort. Ensure the entrance is small to deter predators and weatherproof it with a slight overhang. Hedgehogs appreciate a soft bedding material like hay or shredded newspaper for warmth.
Hedgehogs often comfort their owners with cuddles, licks, and offer their paws or cuddly bellies for rubs. Their defences completely drop if they are able to form a close connection with their hedgie parents.
Hedgehogs are solitary animals in the wild, so they may be shy and wary of people. Building trust with a pet hedgehog takes time, patience, and a gentle approach. If you get a hedgehog when it's young and slowly acclimate it to being handled, they can be playful, but they may never become cuddly.
If your hedgehog is unusually still in the evening—sleeping in short, restless bursts, waking and dozing repeatedly, or staying sluggish when they would normally explore—it can be a sign of unhappiness or even illness.
Creating the Ideal Sleep Environment
Hedgehogs instinctively build nests known as hibernacula using dry leaves, moss, and other materials to provide insulation. These nests are typically found in sheltered woodland areas, offering hedgehogs a warm and secure place to sleep.
Multi-Level Cages: Multi-level cages offer more space for exploration without taking up extra floor space. However, because hedgehogs have poor eyesight and may not understand heights, it's crucial to ensure all ramps and levels are either close to the floor with bedding, or completely enclosed to prevent falls.
They reduce their body functions to a minimum. With the energy reserves they have piled up by eating, they can survive for up to half a year without food.
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Best Toys for Hedgehogs
“Bedding will need to be changed frequently. I recommend daily spot cleaning to remove feces, a midweek change of bedding, and a thorough cage cleaning (everything removed and the cage washed) at the end of each week,” says Dr. Kehoe. Their cage should offer a place to hide and sleep during the day.