Care
Handling and Playing with your Hedgehog
The best way to try and pick up your hedgehog is to try and scoop the hedgie from each side and hold him/her with a flat hand. They can sense if you’re nervous or apprehensive to pick them up, so just go for it. Keep in mind that hedgehogs have poor eyesight and depth perception, so they aren’t afraid to run off of your hand, which could be catastrophic or fatal if they fall from a great height.
Hedgehogs should be played with a minimum of 30 minutes per day. This will keep them tame, accustomed to your scent, and friendly. You can let them run around in a playpen, box, or just run around you (supervised at all times). They like to play with plastic cat balls, small stuffed animals, empty toilet paper tubes, pet tunnels, empty boxes, etc. Placing treats underneath blankets will give them an opportunity to “hunt” for their food.
On warm days (80 degrees or warmer), our hedgies like to play outside. An empty kiddie pool works great to confine them but NEVER LEAVE YOUR HEDGEHOG UNATTENDED OUTSIDE!!!
Ways to bond with your new pet:
*Make sure to wear the same or no perfume/body spray for the first few weeks so he/she can get acquainted with your smell. Wearing an old shirt to bed for a few nights and then placing it in with the hedgehog is a great way for them to learn your scent and feel comfortable with you.
*Hedgehogs are very sensitive to sound. Sudden noises will startle them. Because of this, it is a good idea to have background noise on (TV, radio,etc.) when you handle your pet. They LOVE to be talked to, they will get used to your voice.
* Hedgehogs also LOVE food! Giving your hedgehog treats while they are out with you will help the bonding process. Be careful of handling their treats too much with your hands, they may accidentally mistake your fingers for a snack!
*When you are relaxing, have your hedgehog on your lap with a blanket or a snuggle bag. He/she will smell and hear you and learn you are safe to be around. ALL of our hedgehogs will go home with a fleece snuggle bag.
*All of our hedgehogs (even the grumpy ones) love to be carried around in our Happy Hedgehog Bags, made and sold here!
The best way to try and pick up your hedgehog is to try and scoop the hedgie from each side and hold him/her with a flat hand. They can sense if you’re nervous or apprehensive to pick them up, so just go for it. Keep in mind that hedgehogs have poor eyesight and depth perception, so they aren’t afraid to run off of your hand, which could be catastrophic or fatal if they fall from a great height.
Hedgehogs should be played with a minimum of 30 minutes per day. This will keep them tame, accustomed to your scent, and friendly. You can let them run around in a playpen, box, or just run around you (supervised at all times). They like to play with plastic cat balls, small stuffed animals, empty toilet paper tubes, pet tunnels, empty boxes, etc. Placing treats underneath blankets will give them an opportunity to “hunt” for their food.
On warm days (80 degrees or warmer), our hedgies like to play outside. An empty kiddie pool works great to confine them but NEVER LEAVE YOUR HEDGEHOG UNATTENDED OUTSIDE!!!
Ways to bond with your new pet:
*Make sure to wear the same or no perfume/body spray for the first few weeks so he/she can get acquainted with your smell. Wearing an old shirt to bed for a few nights and then placing it in with the hedgehog is a great way for them to learn your scent and feel comfortable with you.
*Hedgehogs are very sensitive to sound. Sudden noises will startle them. Because of this, it is a good idea to have background noise on (TV, radio,etc.) when you handle your pet. They LOVE to be talked to, they will get used to your voice.
* Hedgehogs also LOVE food! Giving your hedgehog treats while they are out with you will help the bonding process. Be careful of handling their treats too much with your hands, they may accidentally mistake your fingers for a snack!
*When you are relaxing, have your hedgehog on your lap with a blanket or a snuggle bag. He/she will smell and hear you and learn you are safe to be around. ALL of our hedgehogs will go home with a fleece snuggle bag.
*All of our hedgehogs (even the grumpy ones) love to be carried around in our Happy Hedgehog Bags, made and sold here!