Hedgie smell?

[Tails]

I've been recently told that hedgehogs stink quite bad? Well they said their poo does... does the smell just build up if you have more then one? Also what causes this because shouldn't cleaning their cage and such help? :dunno:

I know my Bearded Dragon reeks to high heavens if we don't catch and clean her poo right away, lierally. So should I do daily spot checks with hedgie too and clean up as much as I can, on top of cleaning the whole cage 3 times/week? Also are they like chins do they "poo all the time"? My beardie on the other hand doesn't have a routine and doesn't necessarily go everyday.

Weird topic for me to start but once again but I'm curious.

[Nancy]

Fresh hedgie poop does stink but it it won't put you out of the room. :laugh: Often excessive smell comes from the food. Certain foods cause more smell as does intestinal upsets. If you pick the poop up immediately there will be no smell and after it has been out to the air for a while the smell goes away too.

Adults poop a few times usually shortly after they get up. They don't poop all the time like chins.

Babies are poop machines and can poop 5 or more times in a row and a while later do it again. With a baby you will have to change the liner much more often. Try litter training immediately and keep the litter box under the wheel so most poop will land there.

Liners can get a smell to them after months of use. Some vinegar in the rinse on occasion or hanging on the clothes line will get rid of the smell. :)

[Tails]

Fresh hedgie poop does stink but it it won't put you out of the room. :laugh: Often excessive smell comes from the food. Certain foods cause more smell as does intestinal upsets. If you pick the poop up immediately there will be no smell and after it has been out to the air for a while the smell goes away too.

Adults poop a few times usually shortly after they get up. They don't poop all the time like chins.

Babies are poop machines and can poop 5 or more times in a row and a while later do it again. With a baby you will have to change the liner much more often. Try litter training immediately and keep the litter box under the wheel so most poop will land there.

Liners can get a smell to them after months of use. Some vinegar in the rinse on occasion or hanging on the clothes line will get rid of the smell. :)

Thanks Nancy! Hehe how is my stuff coming along? I sure am keeping you busy eh? ;)

[paris26]

Wheels can stink too if they go more than a few days without cleaning. Of my 7 hedgies, 2 keep their wheels clean religiously, but the others have no qualms with running and pottying at the same time :) I clean most of my wheels daily or every other day

[HedgeMom]

Diet also plays a huge role in whether a hedgehog's poo stinkifies you out of the room or not. Poor quality food can make the wall paper peel off the walls...

[PrettyHate]

Diet also plays a huge role in whether a hedgehog's poo stinkifies you out of the room or not. Poor quality food can make the wall paper peel off the walls...

Or foods that are rich (or contain ingredients like salmon). I found that out when Murdoc was on a soft food diet and I was giving him Wellness canned. Holy Hannah!

[HamorHollow]

Hedgehogs smell less then other small animals do. Fresh poop can be funky, but the smell dissipates pretty quickly. Regular spot and cage cleanings will keep any oders under control.

[Twister]

*since we are on the topic* ... How big are hedgie poos? Are they small like chinnies, or no? Just wondering, thank you

[HedgeMom]

Think more along the lines of "omg did that come from that wee butt????" LOL

Let's see... about the thickness of a pencil and 1 1/2 to 2" long is about average here although the other morning I found a 4" one pasted about 3" up the side of the cage. Still trying to find the ladder they used to hang it there.

[horsegal]

As far as smell goes I think my hedgie smells a LOT less than rabbits or guinea pigs.