[shaynak112]

Hi,

I have had my hedgehog since early December (a couple months) so we're still in the early stages. He's just over six months. I adopted him from someone who didn't want him anymore.

I learned very quickly about how hogs tend to go to the washroom while running on their wheel. I tried using that plastic wrap stuff but then read that maybe it wasn't the best for hogs. He has gone through about five wheels because sometimes I just can't clean them and he needs a new one.

Are there other options, even if it's an expensive option? He's so tidy about going to the washroom when he is not on his wheel. But it just gets so gross and disgusting and then I need to get him a new one. Any recommendations, no matter what the price, I would love to hear them!

 

[Nick120180]

I made a 'hide' in the corner using a t'towel and a bit of wire to drape it over. This is his bathroom area and he loves it, he's so neat now he hardly ever poops on his wheel. It seems he needs a private area to poop in, so you could try this with yours. Without a covered pooping area it's all over the wheel and cage again.

They are pretty unique so may not work for yours, but may be worth a try and for any others struggling with litter training.

P.s. It took 2-3 weeks before he decided that that was what he'd use it for.

 

[CashmereSkeleton]

What type of wheel are you using?

I use a bucket wheel made from one solid piece of plastic. Erin makes tons of mess during the night but the wheel is so easy to clean that it comes right off and takes me no more than 5 minutes to clean the wheel and litter tray.

If you're using one of those wire mesh wheels (which aren't suitable for hedgehogs anyway - their toes and nails can get caught and cause injuries) I could see why it's hard to clean. If you are using a similar type wheel to mine then my only other question would be how often do you clean it? It really needs to be done daily.

 

[CourtneyLA]

Use a bucket wheel with a pan underneath and tilt it slightly. That's what I use for Nina and the poop and pee goes straight into the pan. I agree with the above comment, Nina has a little hide out with a litter pan and she never goes on the wheel anymore or in her cage. She litter trained herself

 

[shaynak112]

The two types of wheels I use are:
silent spinner like this: https://halpinehedgehogs.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/ip861414_2.jpg
regular wheel (I'm not sure what they are called) like this: http://www.catexpert.co.uk/wp-content/themes/shopperpress/thumbs/solid-wheel.jpg
(obviously larger as the one is a hamster wheel in the pic but same type)

And I clean his wheel every morning (after he has been running all night), when he makes a mess. It just sticks on there, I'm not sure why. Haha I wish it was super easy to clean off every morning.

How do you tilt a bucket wheel? I have not tried that but I think that might work get more mess off. Sorry, I'm still new to this! I've never tried tilting it before.

Thanks

 

[CashmereSkeleton]

The silent spinner wheel is not suitable for hedgehogs. The seam down the middle can trap their nails and toes and cause them an injury.

 

[Lilysmommy]

I would definitely look into a bucket wheel. Both of the wheels you mentioned are pretty tough to clean completely, with the cracks & ridges. And like Cashmere said, the Silent Spinner also isn't safe. Bucket wheels are much safer & much easier to clean too. Most of them are made on a frame to where you can adjust the tilt by twisting the PVC legs. If you're in the US, LarryT's Carolina Storm Wheels and Bucket Wheels are very popular and well worth the money.

 

[shaynak112]

I didn't know that about the silent spinner! Great info, thanks! My hog only had that one for about a week.
Ahh, I'm in Canada. I definitely don't mind spending extra money if it's easier to clean or better for my hog or something like that. I'll have to figure out where I can get a bucket wheel up here

 

[FinnickHog]

LarryT ships his wheels to Canada. Shipping was somewhere in the $20 range if I remember correctly but well worth it!

 

[Lilysmommy]

He does ship his wheels to Canada, but I believe there's a few Canadian breeders or people that either stock Larry's wheels or sell their own, so you could check into that as well.

 

[ravynnm]

I'm in Canada and shipping to me is $48 which is extremely inconvenient. If anyone knows of anyone that stocks the wheels or makes them -- please let me know!!

 

[Lilysmommy]

I googled and found this Canadian breeder that stocks & sells Larry's wheels - http://hedgehogville.com/carolina-storm-bucket-wheels/ I don't know how much shipping would be from Toronto to your locations, but I'm sure being on the right side of the border will help! Here's another one in Burlington - http://hedgiewhisperers.ca/cms2/index.php?page=toys-accessories

Another option, if you have the tools to do so, is to make your own bucket or cake cover wheel. I've heard of people not being able to find cake covers that would work in Canada, but buckets might be an option. There's some discussion on making them & possible places to look for proper-sized buckets in this thread - http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/foru...re-anyone-who-sells-bucket-wheels-canada.html There are youtube video tutorials that you look up for instructions.

Hope that helps both of you!

 

[shaynak112]

I ended up ordering the one from the US. Hopefully it gets here soon!!
Thanks for all the help!

 

[chubbstersmomma]

How often are you cleaning your wheel? Maybe you need to clean it every day so the mess doesn't build up because that makes it harder to clean. Unfortunately there is no way for a hedgehog not to use the bathroom on their wheel because its their natural instinct and its what they would do in the wild.

 

[Swenger08]

For those of you who use a litter pan, what do you put inside of it? Or do you put anything at all?