Hedgehogs are cute little animals that love to snuggle up next to their owners. They also enjoy chewing on things, so they require a lot of maintenance. If you want to take care of them properly, then you’ll need to follow these steps.
Hedgehogs are very social creatures, so they need lots of attention from humans. These tiny mammals are usually kept in cages, where they spend most of their time sleeping or playing.
You can easily get rid of parasites and bacteria by cleaning your hedgehog cage regularly.
This article will guide you through the process of cleaning your hedgehog case, and explain how often you should do this.
How Often to Clean a Hedgehog Cage
It is a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning your hedgehog cage at least once a week, but try not to be too attached to this schedule: if your hogs cage needs cleaning before this, then you should roll up your sleeves and get scrubbing.
Cleaning Your Hedgehog Cage
As we mentioned, cleaning your hedgehog cage is a task that should be carried out at least once a week, and there are a number of simple steps to help you achieve this:
Remove All Dirty Bedding
The first step is to remove all dirty bedding from the cage – if you have been spot-checking through the week, this should be a fairly quick job.
Remove Items
The first thing you need to do when cleaning your hedgehog cage is to remove all of its contents.
This includes any toys, food bowl, water bowls, bedding materials, their exercise wheel, and anything else that might contain germs or other harmful substances.
If you have an automatic feeder, make sure it’s empty before cleaning, and remember to include this in your deep clean.
You also need to remove the cage liner and place this in a hot wash.
Wash And Brush the Sides To Remove Debris
Next, wash down the sides of the cage with hot soapy water. Make sure you use a brush for this job, since you don’t want to damage the plastic.
Rinse The Cage
Now, you need to thoroughly rinse off the cage using fresh warm water. Be careful not to let any dirty water drip onto the floor, because this could cause mold growth.
Dry Completely
After rinsing, dry the cage completely with a soft towel. Use a blow-dryer to speed up the drying process, which will prevent mold and mildew from forming. Make sure you remove any excess water before proceeding.
Replace Bedding
Once everything is dry, you can replace the bedding with fresh, clean material.
Return Items
When you’re done, put everything back inside the cage. It’s important to keep everything away from the walls of the cage because this area tends to become damp over time.
Clean the cage every week, even if you think there isn’t much dirt. The reason why is because the cage may start to smell after several weeks.
This means that you need to clean the cage more frequently than usual.
Cleaning/Changing Cage Liners
It’s important to change your hedgehog cage liners once a week to keep your hedgehog
clean, hygienic, and happy.
When changing your cage liner, be careful not to contaminate the new liner with any fecal matter. Otherwise, you could end up spreading harmful germs throughout your home.
When you’re ready to replace your cage liner, simply take the old one out, wash it thoroughly in a hot wash, and make sure that it is thoroughly dried before returning it to the cage – a damp liner can increase the risk of mold and mildew, and this can cause damp which increases the risk of health issues and complications for your hog.
It is a good idea to have at least one spare cage liner; this means that you can replace the dirty one as soon as you remove it, without having to worry about cleaning and drying the old liner immediately.
This will minimize disruption for your hedgehog, and help to ensure that their environment is calm, clean, and safe.
Cleaning Hedgehog Bedding
In addition to your weekly deep clean, your hedgehog’s bedding should also undergo a spot check every day.
If any bedding is dirty, remove it as you go, and then complete a full bedding change with fresh bedding as part of your weekly deep clean.
Which Bedding Is Best For Hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs need soft, fluffy bedding to sleep comfortably. As a result, you should always choose a bedding material that provides a soft, warm surface for your pet to snuggle into.
Some popular choices include:
Soft shredded paper, like newspaper, cardboard, tissue paper, etc.
Shredded straw
Natural fiber hay
Bamboo shavings
As an added bonus, these materials are all biodegradable, meaning that they break down over time, leaving no trace behind.
What About The Bed?
Your hedgehog needs a firm base on which to rest, but it shouldn’t be too hard. In fact, most hedgehogs prefer a softer surface than many other pets.
This is because hedgehogs’ bodies are built differently from those of cats and dogs. They have shorter legs, smaller feet, and longer tails, allowing them to balance better on a more rounded surface.
A soft mat or blanket is ideal for providing your hedgehog with a stable resting platform. However, if you want to provide some extra support, you can opt for a firmer option such as a corkboard or foam block.
If you decide to add a bed to your hedgehog’s enclosure, make sure that it doesn’t interfere with your pet’s ability to climb around freely.
The best way to do this is by placing the bed somewhere where it won’t get stepped on, and ensuring that there are plenty of places for your hedgehog to jump off from.
You may wish to consider installing a ramp so that your hedgehog has access to both sides of its enclosure.
This will allow them to move around safely and securely, while still being able to enjoy exploring their surroundings.
You might even find that adding a few toys gives your hedgehog something fun to play with during the day!
How Long Does It Take To Clean a Hedgehog Cage?
To clean your hedgehog cage, you only need about 15 minutes per day. Although this sounds like a long amount of time, it really isn’t.
Once you’ve cleaned the cage, you won’t have to worry about cleaning again until next week.
Why Is It Important To Keep My Hedgehog Cage Clean?
Keeping your hedgehog cage clean helps to protect your pet against various diseases and infections. In fact, some types of bacteria can survive for months without being exposed to light.
In addition, keeping your hedgehog cage clean prevents the spread of mites and fleas. Mites and fleas tend to thrive in dark areas, such as under beds and behind furniture.
Therefore, cleaning your hedgehog cage weekly will help to keep your pet healthy.
What Happens When I Don’t Clean My Hedgehog Cage?
Hedgehogs are sensitive animals, and they don’t appreciate having to live in dirty conditions. If you fail to clean your hedgehog cage on a regular basis, your pets will suffer from health problems.
For example, if you neglect to clean your hedgehog case, then you’ll find yourself dealing with mites and fleas, which can lead to skin irritation, itching, and hair loss.
Furthermore, if you don’t keep your hedgehog cage clean, then you’ll also run the risk of spreading dangerous pathogens, such as salmonella and E. coli.
As a result, your pet may develop diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and even death. Therefore, it’s essential that you regularly clean your hedgehog cage.
Can I Litter Box Train My Hedgehog?
If you want to train your hedgehog to use a litter box, then you should do so when he or she is young.
The best way to teach your hedgehog how to use a litter box is by placing him or her in a litter tray while you watch, making sure that they are comfortable, and getting used to using this as a bathroom from a young age.
You should make sure that you place the litter box where your pet has access to food and water. Once your pet gets used to using the litter box, you can gradually move it closer to his or her sleeping quarters.
However, it’s important that you don’t force your pet to use the litter box. Instead, you should encourage your pet to learn how to use it naturally.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your hedgehog’s cage clean and tidy is an important part of maintaining their overall health and wellness, and is sure to keep your hedgehog happy.
By following our simple steps, you can enjoy a healthier, happier hog, and rest assured that you are offering them the very best life you can.
