For hedgehog bedding, use safe, absorbent, and dust-free materials like recycled paper bedding (Carefresh), fleece liners, or kiln-dried aspen shavings, providing several inches for burrowing. Avoid cedar/pine shavings, as phenols harm respiratory health; also skip corncob, gravel, or bedding with loose threads that can tangle feet. Regularly change bedding to prevent infections.
Hedgehogs like to burrow so the more bedding the better for them. Recycled paper bedding and towels or blankets are often used inside the enclosure.
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.
Bedding to Avoid
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.
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.
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.
What should I never feed a hedgehog? Foods that are toxic to hedgehogs...
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.
Bedding / Cage Liners
Choose safe, absorbent, and easy-to-clean bedding. Carefresh Complete Bedding or a Fleece Tray Liner are both excellent options. Avoid loose threads or unsafe materials that can tangle around toes.
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.
Signs of stress
Many hedgehogs are busy and want to try to explore but a stressed hedgehog will be much more persistent and not easily distracted. The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.”
Our observations show that nesting Mums often leave their young ones to rest elsewhere. That rest is often through the first and last part of the night but can also be in the day time. Routinely we expect to see hedgehogs come out in the evening around 9.30pm and go back to bed by 5am.
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.
Does the hedgehog house need a base? You can decide whether to build your hedgehog shelter with a base or open at the bottom. The priority is to keep the hedgehog and filler material dry throughout winter – so if you opt for an open floor, don't place the house in a ditch or on low, damp ground.
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.
It's a good idea to put out food for hedgehogs all year round. In spring, it will be a boost for those emerging from hibernation, while in late summer and autumn it will help them build up those all-important fat reserves to survive the colder months.
Placing natural materials like leaves, dry grass, straw or hay in it will make it feel more natural for the hog. It certainly seems to encourage hogs to move into hedgehog houses. The hedgehog may well pull all of your bedding out and either rearrange it or replace it with her own.
Hedgehogs require daily handling in order to socialize them. It is best to handle your hedgehog with bare hands instead of blankets or gloves so they will be better acclimated to your touch. If your hedgehog has its spines erect, use your hands as scoops on either side and gently scoop him up from the bottom.
Just like any other pet, hedgehogs love treats. Waxworms are a favorite with these guys. You can also offer Hedgie some cooked chicken, turkey, or egg. Low fat/high protein wet cat or dog food is also fine, as is the occasional pinky mouse.
Don't use any garden chemicals. Blue slug pellets and weedkillers also kill hedgehogs, insecticides destroy their food supply. Rat poison will also kill them. Even lawn dressings have been reported to burn their feet. The photo is poo from a hedgehog which had eaten slug pellets, it died soon after passing this.
Making Friends With a Hedgehog
Best Toys for Hedgehogs
They're also pretty keen on cooked potato or even unsweetened muesli or Weetabix. If you have a problem with cats eating the food, place it under a brick shelter with a gap only big enough for the hedgehog to get through. It's best to leave out some water too, in a shallow dish that's easily accessible.
Negative Aspects of Owning a Hedgehog