BEDDING

Question
Hi Laurel,
am planning on a hedgehog. I read about bedding choices and have narrowed it down to fleece liners, carefresh, and aspen shavings. I am not too sure the fleece liners are for me because other hedgehog owners tell me it needs to be changed daily. So, if I had to choose between Carefresh and Aspen, what would you go with?
Irene

Answer
Hi, Irene:

Sorry for the delay in my answering.  I have quite a bit on my plate at present: besides a full-time job in a new position, I have been serving as executor of my aunt's estate (where we just closed on the sale of one of her properties).

I guess this must be your first hedgehog!  Congrats on your decision, and bravo for your willingness to research before bringing the new quilly-kid home!

I may not be completely unbiased, because I use liners.  But they are not fleece.  The bottom layer is "Sherry Liners," which are made-to-order pieces of corduroy (sp?) sandwiched over Vellux (blanket material).  My top layer consists of two or more cut-to-size additional pieces of vellux.  While I do not usually change out all of the liners in the habitat on a daily basis, it kinda depends on the specific hedgehog.  Some of my current 4 rescue-guys are pretty particular about their living space, and others "fling poo to the winds," quite literally.  I can extend the time of my liners somewhat by putting puppy training pads under or on-top-of the liners.  If the liner is severely soiled and cannot be tidied up (as in sopping wet with urine), I change it.  If things are more in-the-middle (i.e., lots of well-formed intact poops), a quick pick-up with a piece of kleenex or TP can stretch out the life of the liners.

That said, if I was not using liners, my next preference would be care-fresh, I think.  Any kind of shavings are very messy and get all over the hedgehog and your floor in front of the cage.  It is also hard to tell when either carefresh or shavings need changing, except by fairly close-range smelling.  If you can tell from long-range smelling, whatever bedding you've used is overdue to be replaced!

If you end up with a messy guy or gal, there is still cause for hope of improvement.  Watch where hedgie goes (either type of waste) and place a folded paper towel or litter receptacle there after cleaning.  It doesn't hurt to put some pee or poo on top to facilitate recognition, but some kids just never get the idea (or don't want to).

And please don't worry too much if your hedgie hides and fusses at first.  Hedgehogs are typically shy.  Don't handle him/her much for a week or so to let him/her adjust to the surroundings and all of its new smells.  But then, the best thing to do is to start gradually increasing hold-time (esp. snuggling in your lap with a blankie covering).  Regular handling is necessary to keep hedgehogs used to humans.

If you have other questions, please feel free to write me again.  I wish you all good luck in your search, procurement, and friendship with your new companion!

Hedgie Blessings,

Laurel