Hedgehog Hygiene is very important for your hedgehog to live a healthy life.
Shampoo – all natural TEARLESS baby shampoo. I would recommend Aveeno Oatmeal Baby Wash. 1 small bottle should last you a year or so. Don’t bath your hedgehog frequently because they are prone to getting dry skin. When they run on their wheel, their feet tend to get very dirty from poo and pee. Just soak their feet under warm water and brush gently.
Nail Trim – professional quality nail trimmer for small animals. Perfectly sized to make quick and precise cuts. Probably the most tedious work in owning a hedgehog. I personally like to use this SUPER PET PRO NAIL TRIMMER only at the back legs. The nails of the hedgehog’s back legs grow faster than the front legs. On the other hand, I prefer to use the cuticle remover a.k.a nipper to cut the nails of my hedgehog’s front legs. I find it easier and more precise to use the nipper to prevent less accidents in cutting their nails.
Kwik Stop Styptic Powder – quickly stops bleeding caused by clipping nails, docking tails, and minor cuts. I’ve tried it when a fellow breeder told me about it. Works great! Highly recommended.
The less the better. Even if its just water, it can still make their skin dry. Since hedgehog’s are prone to dry skin, only bath them when its necessary. ^^
I have noticed that my hedgehog becomes extremely relaxed when I put him in water. If I do not use shampoo and only use water when I bathe him, how many times a month do you suppose I could bathe him?
It really depends. Each hedgehog is different, I would say the safest bet is every 2.5 weeks. 🙂 Hope this helps.
How often should you bath/clip nails and stuff?