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Hedgehogs make great pets, and they have been growing in popularity ever since the video game “Sonic the Hedgehog” was released in the early 1990s. While the real animal is quite different from the character, the game increased public awareness of these animals and therefore, sales. If you have recently purchased a hedgehog and want to learn how to better bond with it, read on as we go over several steps that you can take and tips that you can follow to help improve the time that you spend together.
Disclaimer: Like most trusted pet resources, we at PangoVet recognize that hedgehogs are kept as pets. However, we do not advocate the practice of keeping wild animals as pets. This article is for informative purposes only.
What Is a Hedgehog?
A hedgehog is a spiny animal that has between 5,000 and 7,000 quills. Its back muscles can raise and lower the quills based on its situation and threat level. These quills are sharp, but they are not poisonous or barbed, and they do not pull out of the body like porcupine quills. Hedgehogs are brown and nocturnal. When frightened, it will curl into a ball and expose its quills. These animals are vocal and communicate through snorting, squealing, sniffing, and grunting. They sleep most of the day and prefer underground dens. They have poor eyesight and are susceptible to many of the same diseases as humans, including cancer.
Hedgehogs are considered an invasive species in some parts of the world. In the United States, it’s illegal to own one in Pennsylvania, California, Georgia, and Hawaii, so you may want to check with local laws before purchasing one.
The 9 Ways to Bond With Your Hedgehog
Here are ideas and methods that you can use to bond with your hedgehog.
1. Put something that smells like you in the cage.
A hedgehog habitat should be at least 3 feet square, which is plenty of room to put in one of your old shirts to help your hedgehog get used to your odor. Hedgehogs don’t see well, so they put a lot of emphasis on smell. One of the best ways to bond with your pet is to help it get used to your scent by placing objects that smell like you near them.
2. Handle it frequently.
Another way to help your pet get used to your scent is to handle it frequently. Carefully holding it in your hands, petting it, and switching from hand to hand will help get it used to the idea of being handled, and it will also help your hedgehog get used to your smell. Make sure that when you are handling your pet that you do not wear gloves. Many owners will wear gloves to protect their hands from the quills, but it also prevents the hedgehog from picking up their owner’s scent.
3. Put it on your lap.
Another way to keep your pet near you to let them get used to your scent is to allow it to play on your lap. This will provide more room for your pet to move around while still allowing you to pet it and pick it up.
4. Wrap it in a blanket.
If you haven’t trained your hedgehog to use the litter box, you might want to wrap it in a blanket to put on your lap or keep it near you as you move around your home. The blanket will also help your hedgehog feel secure and give it something to burrow in.
5. Use a snuggle sack.
A snuggle sack is a small pouch specially designed for mice, hamsters, hedgehogs, and other small pets. It’s shaped like a sleeping bag and will enable you to keep your pet near you like a blanket. It also provides your pet with protection and a place to hide. The snuggle sack will retain a consistent smell and be more familiar to your hedgehog over time.
6. Use a bonding bag.
A bonding bag is a type of small pouch used to hold hedgehogs and other small animals. Unlike a snuggle sack, it has a mesh lid that closes and prevents your pet from escaping while still enabling it to breathe. This way, you can keep your pet with you as you travel or go for walks while keeping it safe and minimizing the risk of escape.
7. Use a hoodie.
If you don’t have the budget for a snuggle sack or bonding bag, you can wear a hoodie backward and place your hedgehog inside the hood to keep it with you as you move about your home. Placing your pet in the hood will help it get to know you and your scent better, and it will become accustomed to being with you. Many hoodies have a large pocket in the front that will also make a great place to store your pet without requiring you to wear it backward.
8. Take it outside.
Your hedgehog will enjoy some time outside. You can set up a small cage to play with it in the yard, or you can use a bonding bag to keep your pet with you as you go for a walk. It will enjoy the fresh air and unique fragrances and will associate you with a fun time.
9. Take it for a ride in the car.
Your pet will enjoy time away from the cage, and taking it for a car ride is the perfect solution. As the passenger, you can keep it in a bonding bag, blanket, or snuggle sack to give your hedgehog a little more freedom to move around.
The 4 Additional Tips
Besides those nine methods for bonding with your hedgehog, we recommend keeping these tips in mind.
1. Be patient.
Give your pet time to get used to you. Like humans, each hedgehog will have a unique personality, and some will be friendlier than others. Friendly hedgehogs will bond quickly with their owners, while shy ones may take a long time.
Begin by placing your pet on your lap on a blanket that is typically in their cage. This way, you can pet it while giving it some space to move around. Once it doesn’t look too scared, you can try picking it up with your hands.
2. Be consistent.
Consistency is key to a speedy bonding period. We recommend keeping your pet with you for at least 30 minutes per day using one of the described methods. Most animals are habitual and like to do things at the same time each day. Once you have done it enough, sitting on your lap or going for a walk will become part of its routine, and it won’t be frightened.
3. Use the same detergents.
Hedgehogs put a strong emphasis on the scent. One way that you can help keep your pet relaxed so you can bond is to use the same detergents. Before you pick up or play with your pet, you should wash your hands with the same soap that you use every time. You should also wash its blankets and any other clothing that it comes in contact with using the same laundry detergent. This will help it recognize home and you.
4. Give it space.
If you notice your hedgehog hissing or jumping toward you, it’s feeling afraid, and the best thing you can do is to back away and let it calm down. Try to determine what is causing the problem, and eliminate it if you can. Loud noises, strange smells, and other animals’ hostility are the most common causes of an upset hedgehog.
Summary
It’s not hard to bond with your hedgehog if you follow these steps and tips. Patience is the biggest factor and the hardest for many people because it can take several months for your hedgehog to relax and become friendly. Some may never like being handled the way that others do, but most hedgehogs will recognize their main providers and feel comfortable staying near them.
- You may also want to read: Best Hedgehog Carriers
Featured Image Credit: Elijus3000, Shutterstock
