Buzz
The hedgehog is known for its unique nose, round ears, and spiny fur. These creatures make great pets, but before you can bond with your hedgehog, you need to tame it first. Taming is the process of training the hedgehog to feel comfortable around you. Fortunately, there are several ways to gain the trust and affection of your hedgehog, such as getting it familiar with your scent, offering it treats, and avoiding actions that may scare it.
Steps
Getting Your Hedgehog Used to Your Scent
Pick up your hedgehog daily to help it get accustomed to your scent. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight, so they primarily rely on scent to distinguish between humans and other animals. Once your hedgehog becomes familiar with your scent, it will start to recognize you and feel more comfortable when you're around.
- To pick up the hedgehog, gently cup your hands under its belly and lift it up. You can either hold it in your hands or sit down and place it on your lap.
- While taming, try to pick up the hedgehog for at least 30 minutes each day.
Avoid wearing protective gloves when handling your hedgehog. If you wear gloves, the hedgehog will have a hard time recognizing and getting used to your scent. Although hedgehogs have many spines, they are not sharp enough to cause you pain, so you can safely handle it with your bare hands.
- If you're still concerned about being pricked by the spines, you can wear gloves when lifting the hedgehog out of its cage. Afterward, remove the gloves and handle it with your bare hands once it feels more comfortable.
Place old clothes in the hedgehog's cage. You can use an old shirt or pants that haven't been washed. Doing so will make the hedgehog's cage smell like you, helping the hedgehog become more familiar with your scent.
- Make sure the clothes you place in the cage don't have loose zippers, buttons, or strings that could potentially harm the hedgehog.
Avoid using scented products when taming your hedgehog. The key to taming is allowing the hedgehog to gradually become familiar with your scent, so don't confuse it with other fragrances like scented soap, body wash, perfume, or hair care products. Avoid using these until the hedgehog feels more comfortable around you.
- When shopping for hygiene and beauty products, opt for those labeled as “fragrance-free.”
Give Your Hedgehog Treats
Reward your hedgehog whenever it relaxes. When a hedgehog is scared or feels threatened, it will curl up into a ball. If it unrolls and relaxes in your hands or on your lap, it means it's feeling safe, and you should reward it for that. Over time, the hedgehog will learn that being near you is not only safe but also rewarding.
- Keep treats close when handling the hedgehog so you can quickly reward it when it relaxes.
Offer the treats that hedgehogs enjoy. One of the best ways to gain a hedgehog's trust and affection is through its favorite treats. Since hedgehogs are insectivores, dried crickets and mealworms make excellent rewards for taming them.
- You can purchase dried crickets and mealworms online or from pet stores.
- If you prefer not to use dried insects, you can reward your hedgehog with some vegetables and fruits, such as corn, dates, or carrots.
Avoid over-rewarding your hedgehog. Hedgehogs are prone to obesity, so it's important not to give them too many treats. When handling your hedgehog for taming, limit treats to two or three times.
- If you notice your hedgehog gaining weight, reduce the number of treats you give it.
- Even if your hedgehog becomes overweight, you should still be able to see its face, ears, and legs when it curls up.
Avoid scaring your hedgehog.
Don't let your hedgehog be in your shadow when lifting it. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight and are sensitive to bright lights and shadows. When picking up a hedgehog, try not to block it in your shadow to avoid startling it. The goal is to make it feel as safe and calm as possible during the taming process.
- To avoid casting a shadow on your hedgehog, be mindful of the surrounding light sources. For example, if there's a light near the hedgehog's cage, avoid standing in front of it when lifting the animal.
Avoid making loud noises while handling your hedgehog. Similar to bright lights and shadows, hedgehogs are sensitive to loud sounds. You should do your best to keep everything quiet while handling them to prevent scaring them.
- Avoid yelling, playing loud music, slamming doors, or dropping objects while holding a hedgehog.
Patience is key when taming. The more impatient you are, the longer it will take to tame the hedgehog. Don't try to force it to focus on you; if you do, it will become frightened and feel threatened. Instead, stay calm and give the hedgehog enough time to get used to your scent and adapt to your presence. Gradually, it will feel safe and become affectionate towards you!
Advice
- If the hedgehog doesn't raise its spines and instead relaxes them along its body, it means it's feeling very comfortable and at ease.
