How much is too much.

[Schmuzzle's Mom]

We have quickly become addicted to our new baby, :love: the only concern I may have now is that maybe we are handling her too much. Most days, she is gotten out of her pigloo in the late morning to be cuddled and held. She sleeps and seems to enjoy being on us warm and cozy and covered up. She may sleep with us for a few hours depending on whom is watching tv or reading or whatever. Sometimes we take turns cuddling her cause we all like to do it. She wakes up sometimes during our cuddle sessions on her own and we let her explore or do what she wants, enjoying mostly all "quill free" handling now, except when we do something she doesn't want like trying to pick her up while she explores areas that we have not deemed safe yet. We are quite protective, while she is adventurous.

She lets us stroke her face and pet her now any time we like. We are trying to get her used to us hadling her feet alot in advance of the dreaded nail clipping venture. She never seems to avoid the attention and truthfully most of her time out of her cage is just snuggling. She has travelled with us a fair bit already too and ususally just sleeps away the time. :sleep: We let her call the shots and so far so good it seems. Poos all seem normal and she even lets me watch her in her cage at night on the wheel.

Is there such a thing as too much handling? She does of course get alot of sleep time in her pigloo too and is in her cage alone most of the night. We love her so much, just don't want to inadvertantly over do it. :D

[Nancy]

If she enjoys being handled then go for it. She will let you know when she wants to be left alone. If she is tired and will sleep on you then that is great.

Sounds like you've got a great little girl. :)

[bloane]

I agree with Nancy. As long as she isn't acting stressed by being held, and has plenty of time in her cage to eat, drink, and sleep undisturbed, I think she is just fine.
Becca

[CoquiMom]

I personally think handling them as much as they will tolerate is a great idea and makes for a very friendly hh. What a joy to have a hog that likes to be handled. Not that mine are completely antisocial. I do have an adorable little albino named Quimmisong who is pretty darn friendly as long as she does not have to travel much. :)

[Ododad]

I handle Odo all the time. She lets me know when she wants to be left alone. Sometimes she snuggles, then sometimes she fights to get down to explore. I think your doing just great! Sounds like you guys have a great relationship. Keep up what your doing. JMO

[HedgieSpirit]

That is exactly what my family does with Chloe. She loves to sleep for hours on our bellies while we watch tv. My mom and I are the big hedgehog fanatics of the family. My dad pretends not to like her very much (he is very loyal to Pierre, our bird who is a bit jealous of Chloe) but when he holds her, you can tell he is melting inside :) And when my brother is home from college, he always wants to hold her, so she too gets passed alot :) And as a result, she is a very well socialized hedgie. In fact, earlier this fall, I took her to the Apple festival in a town nearby and she let everyone pet her and hold her. Everyone loved her soo much :D

[hedgehog69]

if the hedgie wants to be handled handle them as much as possible he/she will let you know when it has been handled enough.