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Hedgehogs are known for their distinctive snouts, round ears, and prickly quills. They make great pets, but before you can enjoy everything your pet hedgehog has to offer, you’ll need to tame it. Taming is the process of training your hedgehog to feel comfortable around you. Fortunately, there are lots of ways you can win your hedgehog’s trust and affection, like getting it used to your smell, giving it treats, and avoiding things that will scare it off.
Steps
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Handle your hedgehog every day so it gets used to your smell. Hedgehogs don’t have the best eyesight, so they rely heavily on smell to identify people and other animals. Once your hedgehog gets used to your smell, it will start to recognize you and feel more comfortable in your presence. [1] X Research source
- To handle your hedgehog, gently pick it up by scooping your hand under its belly and lifting it up. Then, you can hold your hedgehog in your hands, or sit down and let it rest in your lap. [2] X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane Society Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source
- Try to handle your hedgehog for at least 30 minutes every day while you’re trying to tame it.
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Avoid wearing protective gloves when you hold your hedgehog. Wearing gloves when you handle your hedgehog will make it harder for your hedgehog to smell your hands and get used to you. Even though hedgehogs have pointy quills, they’re not sharp enough to hurt you, so you can safely handle them without gloves. [3] X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane Society Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source
- If you’re still worried about getting poked by your hedgehog’s quills, try wearing gloves just when you take it out of its cage. Then, take the gloves off and hold your hedgehog with bare hands once it’s more relaxed.
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Put an old piece of your clothing in your hedgehog’s cage. Any old, unwashed shirt or pair of pants will work. The goal is to introduce your smell into your hedgehog’s cage so your hedgehog gets more used to it. [4] X Research source
- Make sure the piece of clothing doesn’t have any loose zippers, buttons, or strings that your hedgehog could injure itself with.
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Avoid wearing scented products while you’re taming your hedgehog. The key to taming your hedgehog is getting it comfortable with your smell, so you don’t want to confuse it by wearing a variety of scented products. Avoid any scented body washes, lotions, perfumes, or hair products until your hedgehog is more comfortable around you. [5] X Research source
- When you’re shopping for hygiene and beauty products, look for ones that say “fragrance-free” on the label.
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Give your hedgehog treats whenever it uncurls from a ball. When hedgehogs feel scared or threatened, they curl up in a ball. When your hedgehog uncurls from a ball in your hands or on your lap, it means it’s feeling safe, so you’ll want to reward that behavior by giving it a treat. Over time, your hedgehog will start to associate spending time with you with safety and rewards. [6] X Research source
- Keep the treats nearby when you’re handling your hedgehog so you’re able to quickly reward it.
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Provide treats that hedgehogs love as rewards. One of the best ways to win your hedgehog's trust and affection is to use treats that it will love and want more of. Since hedgehogs are insectivores (insect eaters) in the wild, freeze-dried crickets and mealworms are a great treat to use while you’re taming your hedgehog. [7] X Research source
- You can find freeze-dried crickets and mealworms online or at your local pet store.
- If you don’t want to use crickets and mealworms, you can give your hedgehog small pieces of fruits and vegetables like corn, apples, and carrots.
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Avoid giving your hedgehog too many treats. Hedgehogs are susceptible to obesity, so you’ll want to make sure you’re not giving your hedgehog too many treats. While you’re taming your hedgehog, stick with 2-3 treats per handling session. [8] X Research source
- If your hedgehog looks like it’s gaining a lot of weight, reduce the number of treats you’re giving it every day.
- If you can still see your hedgehog's face, ears, or feet when it curls up in a ball, it's a sign that your hedgehog is overweight. [9] X Research source
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Don’t cast a shadow over your hedgehog when you pick it up. Since hedgehogs don’t have the best eyesight, they’re more sensitive to bright lights and shadows. When you’re picking up your hedgehog, try not to cast a shadow over it or you could scare it. You want your hedgehog to feel as safe and calm as possible while you’re working on taming it. [10] X Research source
- To avoid casting a shadow over your hedgehog, be mindful of nearby lights. For example, if there’s a lamp next to your hedgehog’s cage, avoid standing in front of it when you’re picking your hedgehog up.
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Avoid making loud noises when you’re handling your hedgehog. Just like with bright lights and shadows, hedgehogs are sensitive to loud noises. You don’t want your hedgehog to get scared while you’re holding it, so try to stay as calm and quiet as possible. [11] X Research source
- Avoid yelling, listening to loud music, slamming cabinets or door, or dropping things while you're holding your hedgehog.
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Let your hedgehog get comfortable with you on its own time. Trying to rush the taming process with your hedgehog will only make it take longer. Don’t force your hedgehog to give you attention or it will feel scared and threatened. Instead, give your hedgehog plenty of time to get used to your smell and company. Eventually, it will feel safe around you!
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Tips
- When your hedgehog’s quills are flat against its body, it’s a sign that it feels comfortable and relaxed. [12] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.franklovesbeans.com/2016/10/26/socialize-scared-grumpy-hedgehog/
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/hedgehog-care
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/hedgehog-care
- ↑ https://www.franklovesbeans.com/2016/10/26/socialize-scared-grumpy-hedgehog/
- ↑ https://www.franklovesbeans.com/2016/10/26/socialize-scared-grumpy-hedgehog/
- ↑ https://www.franklovesbeans.com/2016/10/26/socialize-scared-grumpy-hedgehog/
- ↑ https://hedgehogcare.org/food-diet/
- ↑ https://hedgehogcare.org/food-diet/
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hedgehogs-problems
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to tame a hedgehog, scoop your hand under its belly and hold it gently for about 30 minutes each day so it can get used to your smell. Hedgehogs have very poor eyesight and rely on light and shadow, so try to avoid casting a shadow over the hedgehog when you pick it up. When the hedgehog feels comfortable enough to uncurl from a ball, offer it a treat like freeze-dried crickets and mealworms, which you can buy from the pet store. For more tips from our veterinary reviewer on getting your hedgehog used to your smell, like avoiding perfume, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I did not know anything about how to treat a hedgehog and was afraid of getting some quils stuck in my hands. Now I have the confidence to handle my hedgehog with the knowing that my pet hedgehog will not harm me and I will protect him." ..." more
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"I did not know anything about how to treat a hedgehog and was afraid of getting some quils stuck in my hands. Now I have the confidence to handle my hedgehog with the knowing that my pet hedgehog will not harm me and I will protect him."
..."
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"I was scared that my hedgehog will not be happy with me forever, but now I know that it's just scared. Now I'm more relieved."
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"My hedgie is only two months old, and the article has reassured me that I'm doing the right things to bond with him."
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"It was wounderful for me. I have a hedgehog and now I know how to take care of her. Thank you!!!"
"Spot on, I'm so glad I read that, I was thinking about getting a hedgehog."
