How to Bond With Your Hedgehog

Bonding with a new pet hedgehog takes time. The hedgehog is in a completely alien environment and doesn't know you yet, so you'll need to take things slowly and let the hedgehog discover you. Devote 30 minutes a day to bonding to have a healthy relationship with your hedgehog.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Bonding Through Touch

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    Wash your hands before you pick up your hedgehog. Use the same soap each time you wash your hands. Your hedgehog will begin to associate that scent with you and be more comfortable. Do not wear gloves when you handle your hedgehog. Your hedgehog will not be able to smell you.[1]
    • Hedgehogs may also be frightened by the smell of gloves and begin to bite.
    • If you do not want to use your bare hands, use a blanket instead. If you do use a blanket, use the same one each time and wash it with the same detergent.
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    Pick up your hedgehog delicately. Place your hands on both sides of your hedgehog and scoop him off the ground. Allow your hedgehog to find a comfortable position in your hands. You want him to feel supported and safe.[2]
    • It is best to pick up your hedgehog when he is belly down.
    • You can hold your hedgehog in your hands or place him on your lap.
    • Your hedgehog may ball up when you pick him up. This is completely normal.[3]
    • Do not handle your hedgehog right after you eat, touch something with a strong smell, or handle another animal. Your hedgehog will not know that it's you and may bite you or huff and ball up.
    • Wash your hands thoroughly to get rid of the smell.
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    Give your hedgehog time to unroll. Your hedgehog may be shy and take a long time to unroll. You can let him relax under a blanket until he unrolls, or you can let him rest on your lap. Your hedgehog will learn that your lap is a safe, comfortable place to sleep and relax.[4]
    • Always be gentle when you are holding your hedgehog. Being too rough or impatient can damage the relationship you are trying to build.
    • Feel free to watch TV or use your computer while your hedgehog rests in your lap.
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    Pet your hedgehog from head to tail. Always pet your hedgehog in the direction the quills lie. Petting in the opposite direction will be uncomfortable for both you and your hedgehog. When your hedgehog is relaxed, his quills will lie evenly. If your hedgehog feels threatened, the quills will become more spread out and sharp to the touch.[5]
    • Avoid petting your hedgehog when he feels threatened.
    • Your hedgehog may not enjoy being petted until he trusts you. Go slow with the petting at first.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Bonding Through Scent

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    Place your t-shirt in his cage. Hedgehogs have a strong sense of smell. Your hedgehog must be able to smell you and associate your scent with safety. This will help him become more outgoing and comfortable with you handling him. Place a t-shirt that you have worn for the whole day in your hedgehog's cage.[6]
    • Do not wash the shirt before you place it in the cage.
    • The shirt should not have any loose threads.
    • Your hedgehog will use your shirt as a blanket.
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    Sleep with a fleece. Sleep with a fleece that is the size of your hedgehog's sleeping area for 2 or 3 nights. Once the fleece has your smell, place it in your hedgehog's sleeping area. If your hedgehog uses a sleeping bag, you can sleep with the sleeping bag for a few nights before you allow your hedgehog to use it.[7]
    • A baby receiving blanket can be used as well.
    • Fleece and vellux fabrics are preferred because you do not have to worry about fraying or loose threads.[8]
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    Be careful with new scents. Any time you use a new lotion, perfume, or soap, you are introducing a new smell. Your hedgehog may be confused and not recognize you. Try to be consistent with the scents that you wear.
    • If your hedgehog likes a new scent, he may begin to anoint (i.e. froth from the mouth and spread the foam on his quills).[9]
    • Your hedgehog may also react to a strong scent by becoming irritated.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Bonding Through Sound

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    Talk to your hedgehog. Talk to your hedgehog any time you hold, feed, or bathe your hedgehog. This helps him get used to your voice and associate your voice with comfort and safety.[10] Always use a calm reassuring tone.
    • If your hedgehog balls up or raises his quills, you may be speaking too loudly.
    • Talk to your hedgehog when you give him a treat. This will help him associate your voice with something positive.
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    Play soft music in the background. Your hedgehog will enjoy the sound of music and find it soothing. Having music in the background helps your hedgehog adjust to his new environment as well. If there is a constant stream of music, your hedgehog will not be as startled by new sounds. If your hedgehog is accustomed to silence, he will be more afraid of sudden noises.[11]
    • If a noise is loud to you, it is probably too loud for your hedgehog as well.[12]
    • Observe the sounds your hedgehog is making towards you as well. If he is purring, he is happy and content.[13]
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    Introduce new sounds slowly. Your hedgehog will become overwhelmed if you introduce too many new sounds to him at once.[14] If you are talking to him, try to talk without the TV or any music in the background. If you are watching TV, just let the television be the only sound that your hedgehog hears.
    • If you have frequent visitors or there are multiple people in your house, your hedgehog will have to get used to their voices as well.
    • Even sounds such as opening and closing doors can be irritating to your hedgehog.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Understanding Your Hedgehog's Personality

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    Recognize signs of being threatened. It is easy to tell if your hedgehog becomes scared, angry, or feels threatened. It is important that you take steps to calm your hedgehog when you see this behavior. Rock your hedgehog back and forth in your hands, stroke his quills, speak to him softly, or just leave him alone. Here are the signs you should look for:[15]
    • Erect quills
    • Huffing and hissing
    • Aggressively biting
    • Rolling into a ball
    • Shaking
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    Know a snuggler. A snuggler loves to relax. He will enjoy cuddling and sleeping in your lap. These type of hedgehogs enjoy being handled and like a lot of interaction. This is the best type of hedgehog for a new hedgehog owner.[16]
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    Know an explorer. Your hedgehog may be an explorer if he likes to roam around when you take him out of his cage. He does not like to be still and cuddle but prefers to explore and get into things. If your hedgehog has this type of personality, you may want to bond with him during play time.
    • Supervise the play, speak softly and reassuringly, and enjoy watching the hedgehog play.
    • An explorer will like walking on your hands. Be sure to move one hand in front of the other as your hedgehog walks.[17]
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    4
    Know a shy hedgehog. Some hedgehogs are extremely shy. They are not very social, but will not curl up or hiss when you try to hold them.[18] If your hedgehog is shy, he is very happy in his cage alone and does not require a lot of interaction.[19]
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    Know a grump. If your hedgehog prefers to be left alone in his cage, he may just be grumpy. When you do hold him, he is likely to ball up or hiss at you. Your hedgehog may change if you continue to be patient and try to bond with him.[20]
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Warnings

  • Be careful not to have your fingers under your hedgehog when he rolls up. This is extremely painful.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  3. ↑ http://hedgehogheadquarters.com/secure/handling.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.hedgehogcare101.com/d0-hedgehogs-hurt-to-touch-or-hold/
  6. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  7. ↑ http://hedgehogheadquarters.com/secure/bonding.htm
  8. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  9. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  1. ↑ http://hedgehogheadquarters.com/secure/bonding.htm
  2. ↑ http://hedgehogheadquarters.com/secure/bonding.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  4. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  6. ↑ http://www.hedgehog-rescue.org.uk/documents/pygmy_hog_care.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  8. ↑ http://hedgehogheadquarters.com/secure/handling.htm
  9. ↑ http://www.hedgehogcare101.com/hedgehogs-as-pets/
  10. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf
  11. ↑ http://www.westcoasthedgehogs.com/files/hedgehogbook/PetAfricanHedgehogs2-byKimberlyGoertzen.pdf

About This Article

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Co-authored by:
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 196,385 times.
80 votes - 95%
Co-authors: 17
Updated: June 9, 2020
Views: 196,385
Categories: Hedgehogs
Article SummaryX

Bonding with your hedgehog is all about gradually getting it used to your touch, smell, and voice. Make sure you wash your hands before you touch your hedgehog, since any strong smells on your skin might frighten it. Pick it up gently and hold it in your hands or your lap. Don’t worry if it balls up, since it will unroll when it feels comfortable. If your hedgehog isn’t comfortable with you, leave a t-shirt you’ve worn in its cage so it gets used to your smell. When you pet it, stroke it from head to tail, since hedgehogs like being pet in the direction of their quills. While you pet it, talk to it in a gentle tone, so it associates your voice with safety and comfort. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to figure out your hedgehog’s personality type, read on!

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