Albino Hedgehog

[sheriffnick]

Ok, so after a lot of searching i managed to track down someone who got back to me about a hedgehog. I ended up getting an albino female which was apparently one of the 3 runts of the litter. The guy said she was healthy, eating good, pooping good. I just looked up pictures of albino ones and she looks like the pictures but i keep wondering if she's healthy more out of general nervousness. She has close to doubled her size i think since i got her and eats her cat food on a regular basis and drinks her water and is pooping all the time. The only thing that concerns me is that when i try to touch her she starts hyperventilating and poops A LOT while im holding her. I just got a large silent spinner wheel and a large hamster ball to run around in (dont wanna lose her if im not always watching). unless she's eating in her cage i mainly see her sleeping. Is she doing ok? will she start pooping less and hyperventilating as she gets older and i hold her more? Im a night owl myself so the nocturnal part shouldnt matter.

 

[Kalandra]

I think what you are describing are normal hedgehog behaviors.

The hyperventilating I think is likely just your hedgehog huffing at you. Many hedgehogs are very defensive when they first go to a new home, and some always act defensive when you go to pick them up. They make a lot of noise to try to scare you off. Do a search on youtube for huffing hedgehog. I bet the sound you hear is the hyperventilating you are describing. Some hedgehogs will always be a bit defensive. Even my friendliest hedgehog will huff at me sometimes, it is their way to telling you to go away, I'm tired of you, or you are making me upset.

Pooping. Congratulations you are a hedgehog owner! Seriously, many hedgehogs will poop on you. Especially if they are babies, and based on your comment that she has doubled in size, she sounds like she is very young. Young hedgehogs will go to the bathroom more often than adults. This will get better as she gets older, but be forewarned that whenever you wake up a hedgehog you may get pooped on not long afterwards.

Babies also will also eat and sleep a lot. Their bodies are growing and need a lot of rest.

 

[sheriffnick]

yay, my hedgie Claribelle has started warming up to me. I set up a heating lamp i ordered online a couple days ago and just picked her up after work tonight. She didnt huff and puff after i picked her up and came right out of her ball. I was even able to rub her tummy while she was on her back. Still doesnt like to be pet yet but so far major progress.

 

[Kalandra]

Some never like to be petted. Some you can rub the quills on their lower back/rump area, but can never touch anything around their shoulders/head.

It sounds like you are making good progress at gaining her trust.