Hypothesis

[Schmuzzle's Mom]

Ok, I know I ask a ton of questions.......must have alot of free time on my hands. :rolleyes: I have a hypothesis to suggest:

Hedgies pee in their wheel while running.

1. Could running in a peed in wheel not cause pee to drip either occasionally or even frequently on hedgie skin and irritate it?

2. Could running in a pee filled wheel not irritate little feet?

3. Could this be a possible cause of dry hedgie skin and sore feet?

4. Could running in a pee filled wheel be bad for thier lungs?

[Vanth1]

These are great points! :applause:
I use a finely messhed wheel for these reasons. In fact I tend to not leave the wheel in their cages durring most nights. I do give them lots of play time.
I'm also interested in peoples thoughts on this!

[Ldy_Icedragon]

I used a finely meshed wheel as well, that way the poo and usually falls through while she runs (and gets all over the side of her wall). You bring up some great points! I wish I had some answers, we'll have to wait and see.

~Danielle

P.S. as for free time, I got a lot too..lol :)

[Schmuzzle's Mom]

The only meshed wheels I have seen I think her foot would fall through. Have either of your hedgies ever caught a foot or even a toe in them? Where did you get them? :confused:

[Ginger]

Here is a post I had send few months ago :

I found what is I think a brilliant answer about that question. I found the explanation on the website of Heather Johnson : wwww.hedgies.com (which is SUPER GREAT! )

"The majority of hedgehogs do eliminate while running on their wheel, or when first awakened for a cuddle. The wheel elimination makes perfect sense; since it seems to the hedgehog as if they are running away from what’s behind them, it would also seem that the poop and urine would be left far behind; who needs a litter pan if you are running away from it? The newly awakened in-your-lap elimination also makes perfect sense; when your hedgehog is first awakened, their metabolism gears up, and peristalsis and muscle action increase; thus bowels and bladder start to do their jobs of elimination. While some rare hedgehogs will actually stop running on their wheel and hang their little butts over the edge to catch the litter pan, that would be an exceptional hedgehog indeed. And while most hedgehogs really would prefer not to poop or urinate on the person they love, it is almost impossible to ignore the muscle actions that kick in when they are awakened, and if they are on your lap, they cannot quickly get to the litter pan; thus, you must watch for the “tail-up” sign and get them to the litter pan."

Source of information :
http://www.hedgies.com/littertrain.htm Website author: Heather Johnson / How to Litter Train your Hedgehog
by Jennifer L. Plombon, with advice from Norma and Skeezix

[Schmuzzle's Mom]

But do you think it is linked to the skin and foot issues?

[Nancy]

I don't think it is linked to skin issues but having poopy feet can make them sore. It is best to have the wheel at a very slight downward angle so pee runs off.

You may find that as she gets older the poopy feet issue becomes less of a problem. It's been a while since I've had to give a foot bath.

Mesh wheels of any type are not safe as little toenails can get caught and cause serious injury.

[bloane]

I have seen hedgehog toes get caught in VERY small openings, and would therefore NEVER use a mesh wheel of any kind for my hedgehogs. I have had one girl with a very severely sprained leg after getting her toes hung in the top of a critter keeper lid that was temporarily in her cage due to traveling. Boy did I learn my lesson.
I know that a dirty wheel CAN lead to sore feet, but have never had any reason to blame skin issues on it. Tilting a bucket style wheel very slightly forward would encourage runoff, and reduce the bodily fluid build up on the wheel.
Becca