I would stop using the Aspen if it were me. I use Finacard, which is shredded cardboard for the same reason as you mentioned, they can snuffle through it! Its dust free, doesnt get caught on them and really economical.

Heres the link FinaCARD Cardboard Bedding Maxibale [Finacard] - £13.99 : Finacard, Quality Animal Bedding

Its £13.99, delivered for a large bale, so it will last you ages!! :2thumb:

All the best Paula

 

i use bog standard small animal wood shavings.....and willies have always remained functioning and healthy

 

Thanks so much for responses. I have had a good look at the link and have now ordered finacard.

After seeing little pieces of aspen sticking out of his little winkie was enough for me and as you said, finacard still allows him to snuffle. I looked around and have seen it said that finacard also lets them still burrow etc so it sounds perfect. Hopefully they will deliver it soon!

 

i keep my hoggie on fleece cage liners which are changed daily works well for him and he has loads of snuffles in it!

 

How do you expect your hedgehog to be able to root around and forage (i.e. exhibit natural behaviour) with fleecy cage liners instead of more sensible substrate?

 

My hog was on finacard for best part of two years and didnt exhibit foraging behaviour, every hog is unique some will do it some wont, same with many other "natural" behaviours they and other animals are "supposed" to do.

Although the APH does not exist in the wild (and never has) and so doesnt technically have a natural habitat that we can accurately copy in their cage/viv.

 

I thought that too. I was going to go for fleecy liners but am glad I didn't as he loves to snuffle, dig around and burrow in his aspen. I was worried that if I used finacard he wouldnt be able to do this but after a lot of searching around I found out that he would still be able to do all he loves to do. I think that fleece liners look cute but I think its better to let these little guys do what comes natural to them, i.e., dig and burrow

 

Well I hope that Mr Strummer does dig around an forage in the finacard when it is delivered. I'll put in quite a bit so its nice and deep and keep my fingers crossed.

I do have a snuggle pouch for him which he either sleeps in or sleeps under. I do think the fleece liners look really cute but I just couldn't take away his instince of foraging, burrowing and digging.

 

Update on the substrate ....

Mr Strummer's finacard arrived yesterday. We immediately cleaned out the viv and gave him a good deep layer. At first he wasn't sure about it at all but after about 5 or 10 minutes, he was almost diving around in it. He would run along underneath the layer of finacard so all we could see was a moving lump and then pop his little head up like a gopher all proud of himself. He kept that up for hours. He especially likes the fact that he can creap under his finacard and pounce on his toys without them seeing him coming. He seems really proud of his new skill!!!! :lol2:Bless him!!!

I know he's only been out one night on the finacard but if he keeps going the way he did last night, its a total success.

 

im glad hes enjoying the finacard, it is great stuff! My hog has never exhibited that behaviour with the stuff, and has never shown an interest in toys either. He liked cardboard tubes (cut down the side) but after about 6 months gave up on them, hasnt been bothered with toys since. Tried everything, shop bought and stuff from round the house. Loves his wheel though!
Keep an eye out for large chunks of cardboard that didnt get shredded properly, i used to just rip them up into smaller pieces, did once find a piece of hard blue plastic in my batch but was soon sorted out with the guy and havent had any problems since, or heard of any one else having problems either.

 

Was gonna chip in with what I do for my little girl, but in a bit scared to get involved now!!

I keep her on puppy training pads BUT provide her with a large sand tray that I fill with compost and treats each night.... She does have a fleecy in her bed area... That seemed like the best compromise to my cleaning regime, her health and both of our happiness!

Have to say, she wouldn't be a happy hog I she didn't have her compost to snifflewiffle in....

 

I always used Finacard with my late Hog (and I plan to use it with my new addition in several months). I found it an absolute God-send. It's not expensive for the amount you get, considering how large my three-tiered "Hog house" was, it lasted a good few months, not bad! I found the customer service top-notch, and they're always happy to send out samples for the price of delivery if you want to see how your pet gets on with it. It also encourages natural foraging behaviour. Quite often in the evening before bed, I'd scatter and hide insects throughout her viviarium so she would have something entertaining to do whilst I slept. She loved it!
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