Anointing with Bedding?

[hedgepig]

Hi!
I just changed my Hedgehogs bedding to shredded newspaper. A few pieces have newspaper ink on them, but the rest are just plain. When Bilbo was returned to his abode with the new bedding, he started to anoint with it (I think the ones with ink of them)! Is that normal to anoint with thier bedding? Would it bother him to be living in it?
:thinking:

 

[Nancy]

You need to make sure the ink is non toxic vegetable ink. Otherwise, it is not safe to use. Shredded paper of any type is dusty and paper when wet is cold so not ideal.

 

[hedgepig]

Oh yes, I already I checked the ink type before hand and it was Soybean ink which is non-toxic.
For the bedding, I'm just using it as mite-free bedding until I can get him checked out for mites.
But anyway, do you think the bedding would bother him since he anointed with it?

 

[smhufflepuff]

Glad to hear that it's non-toxic.

Another issue Nancy raised has to do with the paper's ability to absorb urine. If your hedgie pees in his paper bedding, it will become damp and cold - not very hedgie friendly at all. Is yours litter trained? If not, this could pose a significant problem for your little guy in that type of environment.

 

[hedgepig]

I think he goes on his wheel or under the wheel. Should I change the bedding? I don't want him to be uncomfortable in his home! What other beddings do you recomend (besides fleece, he was a messy eater, or aspen, mites!) that are pretty cheap? Thanks for your help!

 

[Philogirl]

I used Yesterday's News... it's pretty cheap if you buy it in a big bag. Since it's pelleted, it's more absorbent.

I know you said you don't want to use fleece since he's a messy eater, but I have found that it's the cheapest in the long run. I purchased a couple of yards from JoAnn's and cut it up into squares that would fit the cage. My little one, Jack, is quite the messy eater and it allows me to just pick up the fleece and shake the crumbs into the garbage. It's also warmer for him to walk on. I also give him old pillowcases to sleep in... everything can then get washed and reused. I've invested maybe $20-30 in bedding materials. (I've also made hedgie bags and whatnot) And these have lasted me about 6 or 8 months now. Buying bags of bedding though were costing me about $15 a month.