Click to Skip Ahead
A hedgehog makes a great pet if you’re okay with an animal that sleeps most of the time. They’re cute and a friendly alternative to the traditional cat and dog pet options. But sometimes, people hesitate when they find out how much hedgehogs poop.
We can all agree that poop is the least exciting part about owning an animal. However, it’s something we need to pay attention to. With hedgehogs, you’re going to deal with a lot of poop. In short, hedgehogs poop frequently.
We’re discussing everything about hedgehog poop habits in this post. So, put your gloves on, and let’s get started!
How Often Do Hedgehogs Poop?
The short answer is this: Hedgehogs poop frequently. They are small creatures with fast metabolisms. They’re also insectivores and can regularly eat almost 8–10% of their body weight in food.
Most hedgehog owners feed their pets commercial food and the occasional insect treat. However, it only takes about 12–16 hours for food to pass through a hedgehog’s digestive tract. Hedgehogs don’t have a cecum, a portion of the large intestine, like humans and other animals, so they may have difficulty digesting plant matter.
It’s hard to say exactly how often hedgehogs poop, but experienced hedgehog owners agree that these little critters seem to poop constantly. Your hedgehog will probably poop even more if they’re a baby.
A term often thrown around in the hedgehog circle is “poop boots.” This refers to when a hedgehog’s feet are coated in feces, which can occur when a hedgehog poops and then runs through it. Keeping up with the amount of poop that hedgehogs produce can get tiring. If you don’t want to deal with a lot of poop, owning a hedgehog may not be for you.
Hedgehog Poop: The Good, the Bad, and the Smelly
So, now you know the truth! It’s not that hedgehogs poop too much. They’re just poopy creatures. If you still want a hedgehog, it’s important to understand what healthy hedgehog poop looks like.
Hedgehogs sleep most of the time, so it can be a challenge knowing if they don’t feel good. Their eating and pooping habits are important signs to pay attention to.
Size
The breed of hedgehog you get determines the size of their poop. What you feed your hedgehog may also determine the size. Hedgehog poop is small and typically measures around 1.5–5 centimeters. Their poop is also cylindrical, almost like human or dog waste.
If you notice your hedgehog has loose stools or diarrhea, call your veterinarian.
Color
A healthy hedgehog will have dark brown, almost black stool. This trait can vary, though, depending on what the hedgehog eats. Since hedgehogs are insectivores, finding insect parts in wild hedgehog feces is common. But unless you feed bugs to your hedgehog, you probably won’t notice this in their poop.
Any other color is a cause for concern. For example, red may be a sign of blood. Green is often a sign of stress or dietary change. If you notice your hedgehog’s poops are abnormal, it’s best to call your vet.
Smell
Again, what you feed your hedgehog determines the pungency, but at the end of the day, it’s poop. Hedgehog poop will smell, so be prepared for that. Your hedgehog will also start to smell because of their poop boots. Regular baths are standard for hedgehogs to remove any excrement from their feet.
How to Help Your Hedgie Poop
There might come a time when you must help your hedgie poop. Constipation usually isn’t a problem unless it becomes prolonged. In that case, you should always seek a veterinarian’s opinion.
Sometimes, a little at-home care can help. If your little lap cactus is constipated, try placing them in 2 inches of warm water. Warmth is a great way to get the body relaxed and moving. Make sure your hedgehog always has access to clean water.
You can also try feeding your hedgie pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling). Pumpkin purée helps lots of animals with diarrhea and constipation, and many hedgehog owners swear by it. Some even mix a bit of olive oil into the pumpkin.
If these remedies don’t work and your hedgehog still hasn’t pooped after 24–48 hours, contact your vet.
Where Do Hedgehogs Like to Poop?
It probably doesn’t surprise you to know that hedgehogs will poop anywhere. They poop when they walk, run on their wheelie, and nap on their owners.
Hedgehogs aren’t like dogs, sniffing around for the best pooping spot. They’re also not territorial. They don’t bother with scent tracking everything, using their feces and urine to mark their territory. They will just go wherever they are, no matter what they’re doing, similar to a horse. This is especially true when they’re warm and active.
Wild hedgehogs poop as they walk, so it’s natural for your pet hedgehog to do the same.
Why Does My Hedgehog Poop on Me?
Hedgehogs like to relieve themselves as soon as they wake up. It’s best to give your pet a few minutes to do their business before picking them up and cuddling.
Hedgies poop whenever they need to go, so make peace with the fact that your pet will likely have poop on them when you pick them up, and they will likely poop on you too. Your hedgehog may stop pooping on you so much as you bond. But if they’re a new pet, this will take some time.
As cute as hedgehogs are, we must remember that they are prey animals. Prey animals get scared quickly, so it’s easy for them to poop when their fear senses kick in. You can help your hedgie feel comfortable by keeping them safe and feeding them treats every time you pick them up.
If you want to let your hedgehog explore the house but don’t want poop everywhere, you can try potty training with a litter pan.
Training Your Hedgehog to Use a Litter Pan
If you’re interested in training your hedgehog to use a litter pan, we don’t blame you! Many experienced hedgehog owners have successfully trained their prickly friends with this method.
Training your hedgehog to use a litter pan is a slow process and requires patience and persistence, but it can be done!
However, it’s important to note that not every hedgehog will follow through with this training. Your best bet is to give it a try and see how your pet responds. The following video has helpful tips on how to properly litter-pan train your hedgehog.
Conclusion
Don’t worry if your hedgehog is a poop machine, as it’s completely natural for them to poop frequently. You’ll soon find that your pet’s pen requires routine cleaning, and putting up with poop boots is part of loving a hedgehog. If you don’t think it’s for you, that’s okay!
But if you want to be a part of the prickly pet club, and you’re okay with a lot of poop, we say go for it. Loving a hedgehog is a unique experience. Many people have dogs and cats, so why not mix it up a little? Just make sure you do your research and promise to love your hedgie, poop boots and all.
Related Reads:
- How Long Do Hedgehogs Sleep? What You Need to Know
- Do Hedgehogs Have Periods? The Surprising Answer!
- Why Do Hedgehogs Bite? How Do I Stop Them From Biting?
Featured Image Credit: Thanisnan Sukprasert, Shutterstock
