Hedgehogs are exciting pets to have. Making them warm up to you can, however, take some time and practice. Baby hedgehogs bond quicker than the adult, who need more attention and time getting used to their owners. Depending on the personality of the hedgehogs, it can also take longer for some of them to bond.
There is no specific time period your hedgehog can take to get used to you. But on average, it can take between 4-6 weeks for a hedgehog to get used to its owner. The first two weeks you spend with your hedgehog are the most important in shaping them and how they behave around you.
You need to use this period to ensure your hedgehog gets used to his/her environment, including the smells and sounds around. Once hedgehogs get comfortable with their environment, they are more relaxed and become more inclined to bond with their new owners. This guide covers everything you need to know about handling and socializing your hedgehog.
How Do I Bond with My Hedgehog?
It is vital to bond with your hedgehog, as it helps create an attachment between you two. The stronger the connection between both of you, the more you will grow to love and enjoy him/her. However, bonding with a hedgehog does require persistence, effort, and understanding for the strongest connection. Here are some tips for bonding with your hedgehog.
Through your scent
While hedgehogs have poor eyesight, they have a strong sense of smell, so it is vital to get your hedgehog used to your scent and the environment. One of the best ways to get your hedge used to your scent is to sleep with your t-shirt on for a few nights without washing or wear it all day, then cover your hedgehog cage with the t-shirt or make them use the shirt as a blanket.
Also, you can get a piece of fleece about the size of your pet sleeping area, then sleep with it for a couple of days, after which you put it in your hedgehog sleeping area. Keep in mind that new perfumes or lotions can confuse them, so try to stick to your regular routine.
Through your sound
In addition to having a strong sense of smell, hedgehogs are also very sensitive to sound. So, try to talk to your pet while holding, bathing, or feeding them because this can help associate the sound of your voice with enjoyment and comfort. Also, hedgehogs have been found to enjoy the sound of soft music. Regular music and the sound of your voice can provide an endless stream of sound and makes new sounds less conspicuous.
Through snuggling
This is a great way to bond with your hedgehog. You can simply hold your pet on your lap for a period while watching a movie or TV. Experts suggest holding your hedgehog against you, close to your chest, so that he/she can feel your body heat and heartbeat. Hold him/her long enough so that he/she can sleep on you. This is a great way to get them to bond with you.
Understanding your hedgehog’s personality
You will bond with your hedgehog faster if you understand his/her personality. Some hedgehogs are snugglers. They enjoy cuddling and sleeping in their owner’s arms or lap – this type of hedgehogs like interacting and being handled. Some hedgehogs are also explorers, while others are shy. So, when you understand your hedgehog’s personality, you will be able to act accordingly.
Moreover, it is easy to tell if your hedgehog is angry, scared, feels threatened. Some of the signs to look out for include erect quills, shaking, hissing, rolling into a ball, aggressively biting. It is vital that you calm your hedgehog when you notice this behavior.
How To Get a Hedgehog Used to You?
Your hedgehog doesn’t need to adjustment alone in his/her new living space. He/she is already a member of your family when you choose him/her. So, if you want your hedgehog to get used to you as soon as possible, you need to start spending quality time with your hedgehog as soon as possible. Also, let your hedgehog sleep in a huge pocket or curled up on your lap if he or she is frightened or tired after playing.
Staying close to you to smell and hear you talk will help your hedgehog get used to you. It is okay to play with your hedgehog later in the day, and we suggest making them active in the afternoon or evening. We don’t recommend playing with your hedgehog first thing in the morning since he or she probably has been up all night and just gotten back to sleep.
Your pet should be happy to play with you after been fully awake. At first, try not to overwhelm your hedgehog and limit your playtime to about 30 minutes. Allowing your pet to nap when they first got home can extend the playtime without stress.
How Do I Know If My Hedgehog is Happy?
Unlike pets like cats and dogs, it is more difficult to tell if a hedgehog is happy. Moreover, telling if a hedgehog is happy usually depends on the personality of the hedgehog. It takes having lived and interacted long enough with the hedgehog to understand how they express their feelings. Generally, here are some of the signs that show that your hedgehog is maybe happy.
Your hedgehog makes happy noises
When a happy hedgehog is awake, he or she will make happy noises, scuttling all over your house while sniffing your things. This shows that your hedgehog is healthy and in a happy mood. Also, hedgehogs, especially when they are still a baby, may chirp, similar to that of a bird. The chirping is a sound of happy hoglets calling for food.
Your hedgehog runs around
Sometimes, you will see your hedgehog doing laps in his/her cage, running over and under everything, eating a little, then go back running, causing havoc; hedgehog do all this when they are happy.
Your hedgehog sleeps in a relaxing position
Hedgehogs also show they are happy by the way they sleep. For example, when cuddling or just sleeping on their own, you might notice your hedgehog signing deeply, totally relaxing. Your hedgehog might even stare at you with sleepy eyes while at it. The ability of your pet to sleep well in a relaxed position is a sign of an elated mood.
Your hedgehog tolerates your handling
It is hard to find a hedgehog that enjoys cuddling. So, while your hedgehog might not be completely warm up to you, he/she will tolerate your handling, which shows he/she is comfortable and happy with your interaction.
Your hedgehog snores
Hedgehogs have cute little snoring noise that usually shows they are enjoying a good sleep. Snoring at night is a sign that they are happy. However, if they make this sound during the day, you may want to check your hedgehog to make sure they don’t have trouble breathing.
Do Hedgehogs Like Being Petted?
Again, this depends on your hedgehog personality. Some hedgehogs love been petted on their spine, while others don’t like people stroking or touching their spine. While hedgehogs are pets, they may not automatically like being petted. It is vital that you first earn the trust of your hedgehog so that it can enjoy your touch and not see it as potential harm.
You can start with gentle touches once your hedgehog is relaxed in your hand. When you observe that your pet pulls his/her visor down over his/her eyes, that is a sign that he/she doesn’t like what you are doing or isn’t comfortable with you yet. When your pet puffs, you may need to pull back and give him/her time to relax.
How to successfully pet your hedgehog
Hedgehogs have been known to respond much more quickly to petting if it is done from the front to the back. When you do this, they can easily see your hand coming, smell it, and know that it’s not a threat. Since most hedgehogs don’t have good eyesight, it is vital to approach them from the front and below their eye level. However, rather than light pressure, it is vital to make deliberate strokes over the top of the spines.
They feel more relaxed when they are massaged but tensed when you run a single finger down their spine. Another easy way to pet your hedgehog is to allow him/her to work for you. Once he/she is moving around in your hands, it will likely go under your thumbs; you can use this chance to rub from your hedgehog nose to the top of his/her head.
Keep in mind that it is safer and better to pet your hedgehog while he/she is in your hand. Do not pet him/her while in the cage unless he/she is completely comfortable with you. Also, be careful when you are trying to cuddle them – they are still animals and can bite. Hedgehogs may become aggressive if they are stressed and feel threatened. So, it is important to understand your hedgehog personality.
How Do You Get Your Hedgehog to Trust You?
Hedgehogs fear everything around them since they are prey animals. They are also solitary animals, so trusting doesn’t come naturally to them. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to ensure your hedgehog trust you more. Keep in mind that this is not a one-day thing; you need to do it repeatedly to gain the trust of your hedgehog. Here are some of the things you need to do to gain their trust.
Give your hedgehog more time to adjust
Unlike cats and dogs, it takes a lot of time for new hedgehogs to adjust to a new environment. So, you should give your hedgehog some time to cope with the new environments, smells, views, and everything else; then, you can start the bonding process to make them bond and trust you.
Provide a suitable environment
Hedgehogs are wild animals that are not used to captivity. So, it is extremely important that you provide your hedgehog a suitable environment. For instance, you need to make sure the lighting in your room is not that bright to disturb him/her. You should also make sure he/she gets a consistent lighting schedule so that his/her body clock can remain steady. There are other things you may also need to consider.
Offer treats
Offering fruits such as mealworms can help you bond with your hedgehog. Hedgehogs love eating, so you can add mealworms to their meal. Give your hedgehog the treat with your bare hands so that he/she can associate your scent with a good feeling of eating.
Spend a lot of time with your hedgehog
Even if your hedgehog doesn’t like you, try to spend some quality time with them. For instance, you can put them closer when you are reading a book or watching TV. That way, you are allowing your hedgehog to explore the things in his/her new environment and offer the chance to understand that you and the new home are not a treat.
Handle your hedgehog often
When you just get your hedgehog home, he/she will likely huff and feel threatened whenever you try to hold him/her. Your pet may also straighten his/her quills to prevent you from touching him/her. Don’t get discouraged by any of these; that is him/her reacting to his/her new environment. Holding your new companion every day for about 30 minutes or more should be your aim. Keep doing that every day and he/she will start trusting you.
Summary
It is vital to know that hedgehogs are not all the same, so they exhibit different personality traits. The difference in personalities can affect how long it may take for your hedgehog to get used to you. Be rest assured that your hedgehog will start to bond with you over time, provided you are doing all the necessary things to keep him/her happy and satisfied.