Do hedgehogs smell?

A healthy hedgehog has no body odor that is apparent to a human although sick or poorly maintained hedgehogs may have a body odor. Hedgehogs tend to get fecal matter on their feet from running on exercise wheels at night.

The type of bedding used for hedgehogs may cause odors. The best bedding is recycled paper material or soft towels. Hedgehogs fed poor-quality diets may also have a body odor. The animals are insectivores and require a diet formulated for them. Kitten food is not effective.

A hedgehog with a skin infection or other illness may smell bad, and simply bathing a smelly hedgehog may not correct the problem. A visit to a veterinarian may be necessary.