If you’re interested in raising hedgehogs, it is only right to want to know as much information about the cute little guys as possible. With many popular pocket pets like hamsters and gerbils infamous for their terrible odors, curiosity about what to expect from pet hedgehogs in the scent department is only logical.

This article answers the question “Do Hedgehogs Stink?” by revealing whether they have a natural predisposition to bad scents. We also discuss the best ways to guarantee pleasant-smelling hedgehogs in domesticated settings.

Do Hedgehogs Stink?

Hedgehogs do not have terrible odors due to the absence of scent glands, unlike other animals. However, exposure to poop, pee, and the general lack of hygiene in their cages may result in uncomfortable scents that can inhibit owner’s desire for physical contact.

The lack of natural foul scents could be good news for allergy sufferers and those who struggle to breathe around smelly animals. The onus is on each owner to maintain clean environments which automatically translates to clean hedgehog bodies.

If you’ve taken delivery of a smelly hedgehog, it could be a result of being raised in a dirty enclosure. A quick bath should clear the foul odors to make their company enjoyable.

What Causes Hedgehogs To Smell Badly?

Dirty environments are the main cause of odors in hedgehogs because they are natural poop bags that defecate indiscriminately across every area of their cages. Unlike other animals that may designate separate spots for sleeping that are deliberately kept clean, hedgehogs have nothing like that.

They don’t mind pooping everywhere including their hideouts, eating areas, and even their favorite sleeping spots. Hedgehogs spend a lot of time running on their wheels at night which inevitably gets poop-filled by morning.

They do not mind mingling in poopy areas so do not be surprised when hedgehogs smear fecal matter all over their bodies or even eat it. The probability of fecal accumulation in their environments is extremely high without constant cleaning.

Failure to clean regularly results in a smelly poop-filled cage. Like most animals, hedgehogs have a pretty strong pee scent which gets even worse among males. Being forced to wallow in pee and poop-filled cages inevitably results in a smelly hedgehog.

Do Sick Hedgehogs Smell Bad?

While hedgehogs do not have a natural bad stench, the dynamics can change due to illness or infections. Hedgehogs that have always smelled neutrally may start showing off terrible stench overnight despite living in sanitized cages.

The stench should trigger concerns that something’s wrong and immediate veterinary attention is required before things escalate to the point of no return. Your vet should diagnose the underlying infection after running the necessary tests. (Source)

Can Poor Diets Cause Bad Hedgehog Scents?

Hedgehogs require diets containing healthy amounts of proteins, carbs, fats, and other essential nutrients for good health. Exposure to fat-laden diets may result in stinky hedgehog poop that can take over your home environment.

Again, this should be taken as a warning to switch to balanced diets to protect pet hedgehogs from potentially serious diseases like diabetes and heart problems down the line. Besides, fatty foods could expose hedgehogs to obesity and related side effects.

How To Eliminate Hedgehog Bad Odors

Here are the best ways to eliminate bad odors in hedgehogs for pleasant-smelling home environments.

Give Your Hedgehog A Bath

Providing routine baths for dirty hedgehogs is one of the best ways to eliminate stinky odors. They pick up bad scents from living in cages over time and giving them a bath is the best way to eliminate those odors. Like humans, hedgehogs feel more relaxed after baths which should be arranged 1-2 times a month.

Pay attention to the hedgehog’s quills by scrubbing with an old toothbrush to eliminate odors since they can be a primary source of stench due to anointing with saliva and even fecal matter.

Hedgehogs step in their poop daily during wheel running sessions and daily footbaths are recommended to provide the utmost sanitation. Prepare a warm bath with a towel underneath the bathtub and watch the hedgehog walk on it which inexplicably cleans the feet.

Clean Your Hedgehog’s Cage

A sanitized cage is non-negotiable to the hedgehog’s chances of repelling unbearable odors. We recommend cleaning the cage thoroughly once a week with warm water, mild soaps, and natural disinfectants like vinegar.

Remove the hedgehog from the cage in addition to bedding, toys, wheels, food bowls, water bottles, and other essentials.

Spot-cleaning the cage daily is recommended for anyone who wants their hedgehogs to be kept at arm’s length from feces, urine, and leftover food particles. Simply remove and replace poopy and pee-soaked bedding in their cages each morning before heading out.

Leftover cat food, fruits, vegetables, and other treats can also be picked up to prevent decay and resultant stench.

Change Bedding

The cage liner can also be a source of odors since they get constantly soiled with poop and pee. Changing the bedding at least every 3 days is recommended to ensure a well-sanitized habitat for hedgehogs.

Consider switching to paper-based bedding or fleece if your hedgehog’s cage currently contains wood shavings. Not only does fleece mask odors much better but it also offers exceptional moisture-wicking properties to keep the cage environment dry despite the hedgehog’s constant peeing.

Provide Balanced Diets

Balanced diets are essential to keeping the hedgehog not only healthy but devoid of terrible-smelling poop they may inadvertently get into contact with. There are highly-rated cat foods on the market with a track record of providing good growth and vitality for hedgehogs.

Specially packaged hedgehog diets can be a great option as long as they contain the right nutrients in the right proportions.

Litter Train Your Hedgehogs

Litter training may come in handy to stop hedgehogs from bad scents that can put you off going near their cages. Unlike dogs and other animals, hedgehogs do not have an exceptional record of successful litter training but it is worth a shot.

Swap The Running Wheel

Hedgehogs poop a lot when running and swapping out their wheels each night can minimize exposure to fecal matter. We recommend buying 2 wheels to guarantee access to a fresh running surface devoid of poop and pungent-smelling urine.

This can also protect hedgehogs from exposure to bacteria and other disease-causing organisms thanks to the availability of a fresh, wheel daily.

Take Your Hedgehog To The Vet

Taking a hedgehog to the vet can make sense if there are signs of foul scents despite a fairly clean cage environment. Since this may be illness or infection-related, taking them to the vet could reveal the underlying conditions for the right treatment to be prescribed.

Hopefully, the bad scents will become a thing of the past once the hedgehog receives the necessary treatments.

Do Hedgehogs Smell When They Die?

Hedgehogs smell bad when they die once their bodies begin to decompose just like any other animal or even humans. If your hedgehog has just passed away and you’re unable to or uninterested in a quick burial, placing the body in a deep freezer can halt the decomposition process.

Conclusion: Do Hedgehogs Stink?

Hedgehogs do not smell terrible naturally and bad scents are often a result of exposure to dirty cage habitats. This is why making sure they enjoy clean enclosures is the best way to eliminate signs of foul scents in hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs may also smell bad due to illnesses or infections especially when housed in clean cages and taking them to the vet for treatment should stop the scents. Always make sure pet hedgehogs are bathed regularly and allowed to play in clean wheels and hideouts to maintain their naturally pleasant scents.