First Time Hedgie owner

[rverk47]

Hi I just got my hedgie 2 days ago..I have read conflicting information about how and when to bond with him..I have been trying to hold him several times a day..He is very shy and takes a long time to relax and "open up"..Am I trying too hard, should I give him a few days to get use to his new cage??Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..

 

[randomaussienerd]

hey,
well i think you should leave him alone for a couple days but what you shoudl do is get an old shirt and wear it so it has your smell on it and put in in the hiding box so he can useto his smell. yoou should have left him be when you got him to get useto but just leave him for a could days. like sit by the cage and talk to him even if hes asleep and when hes awake sit by the cage nad maybe offer him a treat

 

[bpayne1217]

Well I got Spike a week ago(as of today actually) and he's shy but I pick him up once a day, no more unless need. The 1st few days he was scared and it took a few seconds for him to unball and he pooped ALOT which people tell me happens if they are scared or something, but then I put a few pieces of my shirt cut up with him(which he dragged in to his sleepy spot...just melts my heart ) and now when I put my hand in the cage he balls up until he smells me then he walks over and i scoop him up. Also he stopped pooping so much...but he's definatly still big on it just not as much. He even crawled on my hand all by myself the other day...such a proud moment.

 

[Melissa]

I do believe in giving time for your little one to get used to his new surroundings BUT I base that time depending on the prior housing conditions. If they came from a really rough past I give them more time to settle in. If they come from a breeder(I dont have any from a breeder) I would give them less time to settle. You wouldnt want and slightly social hedgehog to slip backwards to shy and antisocial from leaving them alone too long.

Keep trying to bond with him. Its ok if it takes a while for him to open up. Some hedgehogs just dont like being touched but others will come around. Keep up with what you are doing.. If you notice any signs of stress then put him back in his cage and leave him alone. Otherwise sit with him for some time in a quiet room, maybe even put a blanket over him so he feels secure and let him explore around on you and get used to your scent and touch and sound.

Good luck!

 

[bpayne1217]

Oh I forgot to say 1 important thing. Since I am a new hedgie mom too, I'm not by any means saying to pick your guy up everyday like I did. Every hedgehog is different and when I started doing that I didn't know you should let them settle in 1st and he already started getting comfortable with me when I found out. I'd follow others long time owners advice, not mine. Like I said I'm a new owner, I got lucky and he didn't really mind but I was just telling you my story not advice (except the shirt thing...that really will help).

Sorry just forgot to say that in my 1st post.