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The 10 Best Hedgehog Litters

Commercial hedgehog hygiene solutions are few and far between. Hedgehogs are a fairly common pet, so there aren't many special offers for them.

Therefore, cat or rabbit manure is the most popular choice when making a compost pile. Hedgehogs should avoid certain types of cat poop.

It is almost impossible to get a safe and functional hedgehog unless you know exactly what you are looking for.

Hedgehogs can be hard to find, so BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has put together this guide to help you find the best hedgehog litters for your pet.

Choosing the Best Hedgehog Litter: A Buyer's Guide

There are just a few commercially marketed hedgehog litters, so finding the right one for your pet might be a little difficult. As previously said, you may make use of cat litter. It’s important to note that not all cat litters are created equal.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the safest alternatives for hedgehog litter and those that should never be used.

Soybean Meal Pellets

Pellets made from corn are among the most eco-friendly products available. Plus, your hedgehog won’t get sick if he eats part of the litter, which is an added benefit. These litters are very simple to use and clean up after.

Odor management is frequently an issue with these goods, however it might vary by manufacturer. Try a few different products until you find one that works for you.

Pellets made from wood

Wood pellets are a convenient solution because of their high absorption capacity and good odor suppression. Wood pellets may also be purchased commercially, making them more accessible. A number of cat litters, for example, are built from wood.

Additionally, these pellets are very simple to clean. However, some of them do turn to mush, so pick the best quality you can find.

The main drawback of this litter type is the weight of the bags. For this reason, they’re generally offered in lesser sizes. In addition, because wood goods might harbor mites, the litter must be frozen for at least 24 hours before it can be used.

Doing this in stages is necessary as the bags are frequently too large.

Pellets of paper

Paper-based cat litters are among the most widely available on our list, with a variety of brands to choose from. If you’re looking for more particular suggestions, have a look at the reviews we linked to above.

Cats love this litter since it’s easy to scoop and doesn’t harm the environment. It is common for these goods to be made from recycled materials, such as newspapers. In addition, the paper is almost dust-free, thus it doesn’t create many respiratory concerns in most people.

While this sort of absorbent material has a high absorption capacity, it lacks odor control. After a few days, they start to stink. Change them more frequently, perhaps even every day.

These bags may be hefty and expensive, and that’s before you consider how often you’ll have to replace them. They can cause great injury to your pet if they are ingested, as the pellets swell when wet.

We don’t recommend acquiring these paper pellets if your hedgehog is prone to eating items that aren’t food.

Clay Litter: Is It A Good Alternative?

Due to its ease of use, clay litter may be found in abundance. To make things a little more interesting, you have a few other alternatives to consider. The majority of clay litters are highly absorbent and have a good level of odor control built in to them.

Hedgehogs, on the other hand, should avoid using this medium. A touch too adept in soaking up water, it appears. Because of this, your hedgehog’s skin may become moistened by the litter pan, especially if the hedgehog chooses to rest in it.

If your hedgehog consumes clay, it might cause major problems. Because it may be poisonous, it is more hazardous than other choices.

Cedar Litter: What’s the Deal?

Cedar litter is not recommended for hedgehogs, despite the fact that wood pellets are listed as an alternative. Because of its strong fragrance, cedar is an excellent deodorizer. Hedgehogs are poisoned by plicatic acid, which is present in cedar litter.

All kinds of health issues might arise if your hedgehogs get into contact with the wood shavings. Honestly, this medium isn’t the best fit.

The Issue of Smelly Waste

You should also stay away from any synthetically scented cat litter in addition to clay and cedar litter. Synthetic scents have been linked to cancer, even though they aren’t always a life-threatening option. You should avoid synthetic perfumes wherever possible since hedgehogs appear to be more susceptible to some forms of cancer than humans.

However, avoiding all synthetic fragrances isn’t always feasible. Please avoid them as much as feasible if possible.

Fleece: Is it Safe to Use?

Hedgehogs have made fleece into something of a “holy grail” for many reasons. Fleece is a popular choice among internet resources since it is both safe and easily available.

Fleece is very affordable since material can be washed and reused (though the initial cost can be high).

This trash, on the other hand, is the least eco-friendly alternative. You and your hedgehog are at risk since it is coated with microplastics. When you wash them, they’ll wash into the ground and waterways, and more will end up in your hedgehog’s cage when they poop.

In addition, there is no odor control with this option. As a result, germs and smells can grow beneath the fleece, making this alternative far from hygienic.

In spite of its widespread use, this fleece isn’t the ideal solution for hedgehog habitats. In fact, it’s something we strongly advise against. Some other solutions may be better than this.

With microplastics, there is no need to put yourself at danger (and deal with the smell).

Conclusion

Hopefully, you will find this information helpful in determining which types of trash are safe and which are not. Hedgehogs are difficult to clean up afterwards because they are affected by many factors.

For example, they are not allowed to use cedar because it contains compounds that can be dangerous. Another no-no is silica clay. The following is a list of the best hedgehog litters.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) recommends News Yesterday The original unscented paper liners for most hedgehogs. This trash can have a low impact on the environment. Because there are no chemicals or scents, hedgehogs are completely safe to use. Compared to other options, it does a good job of controlling odors.

For the right price, the Okocat Mini Pellets Unscented Wood Cat Litter is a great choice. There are no scents or chemicals in this litter that could harm your hedgehog.

Paper is better for the environment, but this alternative is biodegradable. Depending on your hedgehog, this can be a good thing or a terrible thing.

Consider the next generation pet product, Green Tea Wood Litter, as an alternative to a premium product. This product uses actual green tea leaves to control odor and prevent bacterial growth.

Biodegradable wood is better for the environment than most other options. It is also free of artificial scents and chemicals, making it safe for most hedgehogs to eat.

Reviews

Unscented Paper Litter: Yesterday’s News Original

  • Material: Paper

Yesterday’s News Original Unscented Paper Litter is the best commercial litter available for hedgehogs. In comparison to other litter alternatives, this litter is created entirely from recycled newspaper, making it far more ecologically friendly. Furthermore, nothing is more secure than a pile of old newspapers.

Also, this litter is incredibly absorbent. Due to the low amount of dust in it, it is better for animals with delicate respiratory systems like hedgehogs. We discovered that, for an unscented litter, it was rather severe on scents.

This paper litter is the safest alternative when compared to other litters on the market. This is without a doubt the finest hedgehog litter available.

Pros

  • Ecologically sound
  • Safe for hedgehogs to eat
  • Absorbent to the point of saturation.
  • Dust-free
  • Stifling to smells

Cons

  • Overpriced compared to other choices

 

Best Value for Money: Okocat Mini Pellets Unscented Wood Cat Litter

  • Material: Wood

Natural wood pellets in the Okocat Mini Pellets Unscented Wood Cat Litter help to keep smells at bay while also making cleanup a pleasure.

The ammonia smell is prevented from starting because enzymes are prevented from combining with waste and fluids. For one thing, this litter is quite absorbent, which makes it much simpler to clean up. A lot more convenient than other solutions on the market, in our opinion.

Because it’s almost dust-free, it’s easy on your cat’s airways. Before being used to manufacture this kitty litter, the wood fibers are de-dusted and screened.

Chemicals, artificial scents, and dyes have not been used in the manufacture of these fibers. As a result, we concluded that they were completely safe for your hedgehog. As far as I can tell, this is a far more delicate recipe than most of the others available.

Additionally, this trash is flushable and fully biodegradable. With all of these advantages, this hedgehog litter is clearly the most cost-effective option available.

Pros

  • Dust-free
  • There will be no artificial scents.
  • Biodegradable
  • Clumping

Cons

  • The bags weigh a much.

 

Pet Products of the Future Premium Green Tea Wood Litter

  • Material: Wood

No other goods are produced from green tea wood, including those sold under the Next Gen Pet Products brand. Liquid Litter Made From Green Tea Tree Sap.

It contains green tea leaves, which are naturally antimicrobial and odor-blocking. As an antibacterial and odor-blocking ingredient, catechin is also included in this composition.

Furthermore, this cat litter made of wood is a good option for the wallet. Because it produces more than 300 clumps, it may be fed to a hedgehog for a long period. The more expensive option may save you money in the long run, despite its higher cost.

There are no chemicals or artificial perfumes in this litter. It does not include any silica dust, which can hurt your lungs, and is ideal for the hedgehog’s delicate respiratory system, which is particularly vulnerable.

Pros

  • Ecologically sound
  • Additions of green tea leaves
  • There will be no chemical or synthetic scents used.
  • There isn’t any crystalline silica in the air.

Cons

  • Expensive

 

Original Wood Cat Litter Feline Pine

  • Material: Wood

There are no chemicals or additives in Feline Pine Original Wood Cat Litter. For individuals who have difficulty with less delicate choices, this is an excellent natural alternative.

Pine fibers are used, and they’re known for their ability to absorb a lot of moisture. In addition, pine has a pleasant scent and is suitable for hedgehogs to eat. As a result, it’s easier to use because it’s more effective at reducing odors.

This recipe is dust-free since it contains no clay. As an added benefit, this recipe is engineered to absorb far more liquid than other wood formulations, making it much more tolerable for people with respiratory issues.

It also gets rid of them more quickly so that they don’t have a chance to rot and become a breeding ground for germs.

This recipe has no synthetic fragrances, chemicals, or additions.

Pros

  • Control of unpleasant odors
  • Dust-free
  • Much more liquid can be absorbed
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • It’s not always a good idea to use a pine fragrance in your cooking.

 

Unscented Corn Cat Litter is the best on the market

  • Material: Corn

World’s Best Unscented Corn Cat Litter is a good choice for individuals seeking for maize litter because it is made from natural corn. Clumping may not be an option for many hedgehogs.

If you’re looking for a fast clump, this is a good option because it does just that.

Our favorite features of this recipe are its low weight and lack of a noticeable amount of dust. This recipe may be helpful if you’re concerned about respiratory issues or poor air quality.

There are no harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances in this product. As a result, most hedgehogs may safely use it, making it an excellent choice for new hedgehog owners.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Dust-free
  • There will be no harmful chemicals used.
  • Clumping

Cons

  • For some hedgehogs, clumping isn’t the greatest option.
  • A little pricey

Author Image

Dr. Barry Buttler

Dr. Barry Buttler, DVM, MS, DACVIM, is an experienced veterinarian who specializes in the care of small animals, specifically dogs. Dr. Barry K. Buttler is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and holds multiple certifications in small animal emergency medicine and geriatric pet health.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Barry Buttler

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