New Hedgie

[Diskid]

I got My first hedgie last week, and I dont know if he or she will let me pick it up.

Sometimes it lets me pet it like 3 times but then it gets starteled as if it didn't know i was even there. It really scares me :(

also, every time i try to make it smell me to get it to get used to my scent, it tries to bite me.

Could anyone give me some advice :rolleyes:

[mrgew]

Wear a shirt, and put it in its cage, then it will get used to your smell, and its in its own inviroment. Also, if its letting you pet it three times, then pick it up. Just scoop it up if it balls up it balls up, but if your scared of it, it will be scared of you.

[paris26]

Where did you get this hedgie that you don't even know the sex :confused:
First of all RELAX! If you are tense, your hedgie will pick up on that and will also be tense.
You have to handle him daily if your relationship is to improve. Handle him in the evening hours when he will be more receptive to being picked up. A small blanket or a hedgebag is a good start. When I bring a new hog home, I will have it on my lap while I'm on this forum or watching tv. That way they can acclimate to me, yet they are feeling secure because they are still in the hedgebag.
As for the biting, make sure you wash your hands with unscented soap before you handle your pog. Maybe s/he was biting at you because you smelled good!

[teela1342]

If you are jumpy, your hedgie will be jumpy. Just calm down and enjoy your new guy (or girl). Nobody has ever been seriously maimed by a grouchy hedgehog. :laugh:

Seriously, you have GOT to figure out if you have a boy or girl. How did you know what to name it? Search the forum for threads on how to tell what kind of equipment you hedgie has.

The shirt with your smell on it is a great start. I sleep with a baby blanket for a few days and then put it in her cage. It smells like me and my dog, so Jake is not to bothered when she is around.

Also, modify your approach. Dim the lights, talk softly for a while, then start petting. My ex-boyfriend could have benefited from this advice! :laugh: Just ignore the huffing and balling up and keep talking. Maybe putting her on your lap with a blanket for her to hide is a good place for you to start.

[Kerrie]

I am a little confused because a few threads down, he/she is asking "how do you know if your hegie is pregnant"?.

[teela1342]

I am a little confused because a few threads down, he/she is asking "how do you know if your hegie is pregnant"?.


Yeah, I saw that too. I guess if he finds out it is a male, we know it is not pregnant.

[mrgew]

Also, modify your approach. Dim the lights, talk softly for a while, then start petting. My ex-boyfriend could have benefited from this advice!

Wow Teela, thats just a little bit to much information, and yet its still very funny. :laugh:

[teela1342]

Hehehehe. He was so cheap he rarely sprung for mealworms. A girl's gotta eat! That is one of many reasons he is an ex. Or maybe he got tired of my hissing and popping? It is so cute when Jake does it . . .

[Diskid]

[QUOTE=paris26]Where did you get this hedgie that you don't even know the sex :confused:
I got it a PetCetera. But las night I picked Meeko up for the first time and I found out that it was a she.
thanks all u guys for ur help :shy:

[Ododad]

[QUOTE=paris26]Where did you get this hedgie that you don't even know the sex :confused:
I got it a PetCetera. But las night I picked Meeko up for the first time and I found out that it was a she.
thanks all u guys for ur help :shy:
Was "she" housed with any "hes"? If so, then there is a good reason for your pregancy question. I am asking because sometimes pet stores themselfs cannot sex hedgies and place hedgies of the opposite sex together. If your not sure, then I would consult with some of the more knowledge breeders here for more advice. If your little girl DOES end up being with piglets, then you will need all the help you can get!
Best of luck, keep us informed on this please.