How To: Litter Box Train Your Hedgehog

Cleaning up hedgie poop is no picnic! Litter training your hedgehog will make cleaning faster and more enjoyable and you will have even more time to play with hedgie!!!


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Step 1: Finding Out Your Hedgie's Pooping Pattern

In the first few days to weeks you have your hedgehog, observe where he goes to the bathroom. This will give you a guide on where to place your litter box. In the first few days, DO NOT GIVE YOUR HEDGEHOG HIS/HER WHEEL! If you do, s/he will adjust to using his wheel as a litter box which makes his/her feet gross and is disgusting to clean.*** If your hedgehog doesn't choose a place to poop and goes all over, you will be fine, s/he is waiting for you to designate his/her potty!!!


***If your hedgehog has already taken on to pooping in his/her wheel, take it out for at least the first 3 days of potty training.

Step 2: Supplies

You will need to make a litter box and fill it with litter!

1. The Litter box:
Cut a square tissue box in half through the hole. Deepen the divot (hedgie's entrance) to make sure he can get in easily.

2. Litter:
Buy any dust free non clumping litter you can find! Buy a big bag, you won't need very much in the beginning and a big bag will last you a year!

Step 3: Prepare

Scoop up some of your hedgie's previous droppings and put them in his new litter box. This will give him the clue that you want him to poop there. Use very little litter so you hedgie will still be able to use his nose to find the potty and won't get freaked out by the new substance.

Step 4: Place

Place your litter box where your hedgie likes to poop! I put mine next to his wheel! If your hedgie likes to poop in his wheel, put the litter box where the wheel usually sits. Tape the wheel down so hedgie doesn't knock it over!

Step 5: Enforce

When you are playing with your hedgie and you notice he is about to poop, quickly run him to his litter box. This will get him used to the idea.

Step 6: Tips

-Know that some hedgies never use a litter box. Do not get frustrated.

-No hedgie will use his/her litter box 100% of the time.

-Do not let hedgie use his litter box as a snuggle pen!

-Keep trying for some hedgehogs, it clicks after years of training.

-Keep your litter box away from hedgie's food and water bowls!!! Who wants to eat on the toilet???


If you have a baby, know that they poop A LOT MORE than when they are adults. The quantity will gradually go down!

HAVE FUN!! Happy pooping!!!

Comments

[jadeevgorrie]

African pygmy hedgehogs are very cute and I highly recommend them

[Xxx_Morgan_Freeman_xxX]

where does one get a hedgehog

[winniemcneilly5]

I think you should probably do more research before trying to get one.

[Yiki]

I can buy it online or from breeders

[EvaM3]

It really depends where you live. Here in Tokyo, there a lot of pet shops that have them for a few hundred dollars worth of yen. They are pretty pricy. If you are in the states, check in all your local Petsmarts and small animal stores! Good luck!

[LukeF61]

I've tried most of these (I'll now continue, try the things I haven't), but the main problem seems to be he is most active at night, after midnight, when it's hard to control.

[Kawaii NyanCat]

can you use a potty pad

[HedgieMom]

I've tried this and they have used it as a blanket to hide under :) But if you have good luck using a paper towel, this would be a good (but costly) replacement.

[tofrus]

very nice info, thank you.

[HedgehogLover]

My hedgie is 9 weeks old and she perfers to go on me.... is there any way to fix this?

[Phoenix Flare]

Cute! I have never heard of a pet hedgehog, but now I want one!

[StandsWithABeer]

Darn it, me too, now! Gonna hafta Google where to get one. :-/ :)

[Yiki]

Breeders

[Lynslee]

I didn't know something so small could produce something so big...

[antioch]

I am a husband and I approve this potty training method. I also like fluffy towels and longboards.

[madebymadelyn]

JAWN

[thesnowtheriver]

adorable! even if it takes years to potty train, it is still easier than trying to train a husband. : )

[zephyr68]

This is eye-opening on so many levels:

1) hedgehogs as pets

2) hedgehogs using a liter box

3) hedgehogs can ride a longboard

4) hedgehogs like fluffy towels

5) all of the above

Well done!

[szyszoszenko]

good job!

[Abigail02]

Love the last two pics!!