Taking him out

[InTheBag]

Hi all! I'm brand new, both here and to being a hedgehog owner. I've had my little buddy for about 2 months now, and most stuff seems to be going good. But here's my problem- whenever I try to take him out, I'll wake him up and sort of nudge him out of his sleeping tent, and he'll get all huffy and walk around a bit, and then just go right back in his tent. I've heard you're supposed to let them wake up a little before you take them out, and if I just pick him up right away, he balls up and won't unroll til I've got him in my lap. What should I be doing when I want to play w/ him? I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right!

Thanks so much!

[Nancy]

Very often they are huffy when you take them out of their cage. It's a territorial thing. Often as soon as they are out of the cage they're fine. :)

[illinidairychic]

Is he younger?? He could just be crabbing at you because he's a growing boy ;)

[Jeanette]

You know how they kind of huff and jump at the same time?
Well, my Spiny stopped jumping when he huffs at me, lol... he knows that it's futile and I will pick him up anyways.
But besides, he loves to be held... he's just acting like a tough-guy. :D

[pixiestix]

If I leave anything nearby for pixie to hide in, thats the first thing she goes for after I wake her up. Use some cat toys/toilet paper tubes to keep him interested in exploring instead of hiding. Sometimes I even "take a walk" around my apartment with Pix, I let her sniff and explore all she wants as long as she doesn't go where I can't get her.

[LunaMidnight]

Mine always huff and grump when I wake them up to hold them. Once they get out and get to run around they seem to get in a better mood though.

[herbiesmom]

My boys huff if I wake them up during the day. If I wait until night time when they wake up on their own they don't do it. I think they are just not morning people! LOL

[HedgieHaven]

If you don't mind getting a little poo on you then go ahead and take him out. The huffing might soon stop once he gets use to being take out of a sleepy slummer.
Pooples is always in his hedgiebag to I just take the whole bag out.. after a little talking to him he comes out to see me. I agree that the closer to nighttime you get them out the easier it is. They are night aniamls after all. Mine run in their wheels all night long... so morning is their sleep time.

[Grimreaper2112]

It just takes patience. Mine did this untill she was 3-4 months old. When I first pick her up I set her in my lap and cup my hands over her like an umbrella till she is awake and used to the light. She has a little ritual that if my fingers are too close together she will root through them. When she does this I know she is awake and comfortable. Kinda her way of telling me she is ready for light and noise and new adventures LOL.

[hemi_mygirl]

Hemi huffs until she realizes it's me. Then, she calms right down. I think she's just trying to scare anyone who isn't me - namely my mother - away.