After discussing bedding options with the Exotic Veterinarian I work with, he suggested Paper as an great and cheap alternative to wooden shavings. This is what I suggest for bedding and is a great way of recycling!

Although I have used Pine in the past, recently there has been discussion about Pine oils being unhealthy for hedgehogs. This can be used as a last resort but is not suggested. Since then I have changed my bedding to paper shreds.

Aspen is a great option for hedgehogs and is one of my recommended bedding types. It is typically shredded smaller than pine, so it can create a large amount of dust.

Do Not Use Cedar. The oils and sap are poisonous to hedgehogs and can cause a multitude of health issues.

The most common brand is CareFresh, this is widely accepted among the hedgehog world as a fantastic bedding! The only downside is the price, but if you are not on a tight budget, this is a great bedding!

These types of beddings are usually marketed for large animal stalls or kitty litter pans. They are much easier manage when it comes to odor and cleaning, but they do not provide the best bedding for the natural burrowing that hedgehogs do. If you live in a colder state, these beddings are not good, they do not provide enough insulation for hedgehogs and could endanger your hedgehog to hypothermia. If you are considering using this type of bedding make sure it has no added odors and watch to make sure your hedgehog does not try to eat it as it will cause severe fecal impaction if ingested.