Hedgehogs love running on their exercise wheels but the amount of poop and pee they excrete on them can be enormous. These quill babies completely lose control of themselves during running leading to a ridiculous amount of poop on their wheels.

This article outlines how to clean hedgehog wheels to eliminate poop, pee, and cage litter residue which may pose numerous health hazards for them. We reveal different methods you can use depending on how much time you have and what materials are available. Let’s get started.

How to Clean Hedgehog Wheels

Hedgehog wheels can be cleaned by running them under hot water to eliminate the bulk of the poop and pee. The remaining debris can be wiped off with unscented baby wipes and re-run under hot water to remove traces of the wipes’ component chemicals. The wheel is then dried with a clean washcloth or napkin to look and smell like new.

A clean hedgehog wheel could ensure maximum physical activity for the hedgehog when they’re awake during the hours of dusk to dawn. We recommend following the procedure above every morning after they go to bed so the wheel is ready for use by the time they wake up at night.

Alternative Methods for Washing Hedgehog Wheels

The hot water + baby wipes combo is easy to follow for all hedgehog parents but you may not always have wipes available. Other hedgehog owners could prefer alternative methods because they do not want their quill babies to be exposed to the unscented baby wipes for one reason or another.

Here are alternative methods that may be used to ensure clean wheels daily.

1. The Hot Water + Vinegar + Sponge Method For Cleaning Hedgehog Wheels

This is a popular method for cleaning running wheels among hedgehog parents and the steps are as follows:

1. Run hot water on the hedgehog wheel for a couple of minutes to eliminate as much poop and debris as possible
2. Spray vinegar solution on all areas of the wheel and scrub with a sponge paying attention to the stubborn poop that refuses to come off
3. Respray more vinegar if you have to until all traces of poop and dirt is removed
4. Place the scrubbed hedgehog wheel under running water again
5. Dry the wheel with a clean washcloth

2. Soap + Hot Water + Scrub Brush Method For Cleaning Hedgehog Exercise Wheels

If your hedgehogs have an aversion to vinegar or you’d rather not use it for some reason, this can be the perfect alternative. The steps are as follows.

1. Prepare a hot water and mild soap solution in a small bucket or bathtub
2. Soak the wheel in the solution for a couple of minutes to soften the poop
3. Scrub the wheel surface with a brush to remove the dirt and poop residue
4. Rinse the cleaned wheel in a fresh soapy water solution
5. Rinse in clean water once the wheel looks good
6. Dry the wheel with paper towels, or a clean washcloth

3. The Hot Water + Lysol Wipes Method For Cleaning Hedgehog Running Wheels

This is similar to the original cleaning method for hedgehog running wheels discussed with the only difference being the use of Lysol wipes instead of unscented baby wipes. The steps to follow are outlined below:

1. Put the wheel under hot running water for a couple of minutes to remove as much poop as possible
2. Clean the remaining dirt and poop with Lysol wipes
3. Run the cleaned wheel under hot running water again to eliminate traces of Lysol wipe component chemicals
4. Dry the wheel with paper towels or a clean cloth

4. Vinegar Solution + Showerhead Hedgehog Running Wheel Cleaning Method

This is another popular method among hedgehog parents that don’t have too much time.

1. Spray generous amounts of vinegar solution (1 part water to 1 part vinegar) on the wheel surface
2. Run hot water from a handheld showerhead on the wheel to remove stuck poop and cage debris
3. Pay attention to areas where the poop is refusing to get unstuck by applying more pressure from the showerhead
4. Rinse the cleaned wheel in hot running water
5. Wipe the wheel with clean paper towels

5. Old Toothbrush + Hot Water Hedgehog Wheel Cleaning Method

This is a simple method that can ensure a clean hedgehog wheel even when you have no access to soap or vinegar.

1. Run the dirty wheel under hot running water for several minutes to soften the poop and kill bacteria
2. Scrub the wheel surface with an old toothbrush until it looks completely clean with no traces of dirt or poop
3. Rinse the wheel under the hot running water repeatedly until it looks clean
4. Wipe it dry with fresh paper towels or a washcloth

Why Hedgehogs Need a Clean Exercise Wheel

Clean wheels are essential to a hedgehog’s health and that should be enough motivation to ensure they get just that every day. Here are the negatives of allowing them to play with poop-blasted wheels.

Slipping Accidents On Dirty Hedgehog Running Wheels

Allowing hedgehogs to run on poop and pee-blasted wheels can increase the risk of suffering slips and other accidents. Hedgehogs become uncontrollable pee and poop bags during their time on the wheels soaring the probability of the running surface getting wet.

Wet running surfaces can make hedgehogs more prone to slippage and other accidents resulting in exposure to physical injuries that may take a heavy toll on their health. Back and leg fractures can affect their way of walking and render them immobile until full recovery. (Source)

Exposure to Bacteria On Poop-Filled Wheels

Exercise wheels can become breeding grounds for bacteria and other microorganisms when they are not cleaned regularly. Poop and urine may contain these organisms and the longer they are left uncleaned on the running surface, the higher the rate of multiplication.

Exposure to these potentially harmful microorganisms can increase the risk of diseases and infections among hedgehogs. The impact on their health could be significant with an increased probability of expensive visits to the vet.

Exposure to Smelly Scents On Dirty Running Wheels

It is no secret that the stench from poop and pee can be unbearable for everyone. Not only does the failure to clean their wheels regularly lead to stinking cages but exposure to such scents may also be unsettling for your hedgehogs.

They have a strong sense of smell and long-term exposure to their excreta could result in breathing difficulties. The risk of respiratory infections can be much higher leading to negative side effects for your pet hedgehogs.

How Often Should You Clean A Hedgehog Wheel?

Hedgehog wheels require daily cleaning unless it is used sparingly. In that case, clean it after each use to ensure maximum protection from bacteria, dirt, and poop. But wheels are their favorite toys and they spend the majority of their time awake running on them.

Daily cleaning is often required to keep their running wheels dirt, pee, and poop-free.

How Do I Stop My Hedgehog From Pooping On The Wheel?

Allowing your hedgehogs a couple of days to familiarize themselves with the new surroundings can discourage pooping on their wheels when they first arrive in your home. Also, giving them some time to eat, hydrate, and ease themselves before putting them on the wheels after waking up at night could minimize the probability of soiling their wheels with poop.

However, keep in mind that running stimulates pooping so you may not be able to entirely stop them from soiling their wheels.

How Do You Keep a Hedgehog Cage From Smelling?

Regular cleaning is the best way to keep hedgehog cages from smelling. We recommend thorough cleaning jobs weekly in larger cages. In smaller ones with less floor space, you may have to clean twice a week to eliminate lingering foul smells.

Spot cleaning daily to remove poop, leftover food, and clumped bedding from urine can be a great addition to the weekly cleaning schedule.

Conclusion: How to Clean Hedgehog Wheels

Hedgehog wheels can be cleaned with running water and baby wipes or a vinegar solution to remove traces of pee and poop. There are different methods available but each typically involves placing the wheel under hot running water to eliminate as much pee as possible followed by scrubbing with a sponge or brush to ensure complete cleanliness.

The wheels should then be rinsed in clean running water and wiped dry with paper towels. We recommend getting the wheels airdried completely afterward before your hedgehog gets back on it.