bathing hedgehogs

[spikeymom]

What is the best way to give a hedgehog a foot bath? I thought it was just put a bit of water in the tub and let them play. Now I am worried because I gave mine one and he was licking the tub tons. I didn't want to clean it before because I was scared of cleaner residue, but do you think it hurt him to lick the tub that hadn't been cleaned? It wasn't gross or anything, but due for a cleaning soon. He also did the spit and fling it on his back thing. Gross. It is amazing how much they can flatten their bodies.

Thanks!

[hedgehogmomof2]

I just put a towel in the bottom of the sink and put about an inch of warm water in the sink and add the hedgie. The towel prevents the hedgie from slipping and sliding around, plus, it works for getting rid of some of the poop boots. With Cranky Ol' Sleepy, I use a toothbrush and brush is feet to get them clean while he's walking around on the towel. Sophie lets me rub her feet with my fingers, which is much easier than a toothbrush, while she walks around on the towel.

Hope that helps.

[PrettyHate]

LOL He was just annointing. As long as there wasnt any chemicals on there (which you already thought of) he should be fine. Some hedgies annoint over everything, others barely do it at all :)

I always give my boys their foot baths in the tub. Just a bit of water, and I let them splash around for a couple minutes while I watch them. Then they get to go and sleep in my bed until they dry off ( or sometimes for the rest of the day depeneding on what else I need to do!).

[teela1342]

Jake can escape from the sink too easily, so I do the tub thing too. I catch a foot while he is wandering around and use an old toothbrush to clean his nails.

[shirleytx]

How often should hedgehogs have a bath? Why do a foot bath vs a regular bath? I'm new to all this.

[Vampira_666]

foot baths are better to clean just the hedgies feet.. full body baths should only be done when needed as baths can dry out the skin of your little hedgies, So IMO I reccommend only full baths once in a while..and foot baths when needed

personally I think once or twice a month for a full bath is plenty and Keyaira seems to get so dirty so I have to bath her, she is albino and sometimes doesnt look it:laugh: and Marigold gets a bath the same time just because she sleeps right next to keyaira and they both seem to love sharing bathtime :) but they both get regular foot baths.. Poop boots are no fun, yet they seem to have poop boots almost everyday..guess thats what happens when they wont stop for just a min of wheeling to go to the washroom ..Silly hedgies

I think My info is accurate but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable would be able to point out anything I may have missed

[shirleytx]

So if my hedgie doesn't get dirty don't bath her? the previous owners never bathed her. Can you cause problems by never bathing them? Should i bath her on a regular basis anyway? Say once a month?

[sarah1984]

I give my crew a bath probably every month with oatmeal to keep from getting dry skin, and just so I know they are clean.

[Vampira_666]

I don't think not bathing the hedgehog can cause problems, but yes you can bath her on a regular basis just not to many times a month as baths tend to dry out your hedgies skin...Like i said mine get a bath at least once or twice a month..but thats twice at the most, but they get regular almost daily foot baths :) It's really up to you how often you bathe you hedgehog..but just keep in mind that baths will dry their skin if given to often :) hope that helped

[Ododad]

I don't think not bathing the hedgehog can cause problems, but yes you can bath her on a regular basis just not to many times a month as baths tend to dry out your hedgies skin...Like i said mine get a bath at least once or twice a month..but thats twice at the most, but they get regular almost daily foot baths :) It's really up to you how often you bathe you hedgehog..but just keep in mind that baths will dry their skin if given to often :) hope that helpedI agree. All of mine get a full bath once a month if nothing else than to soak in the oatmeal for awhile. Foot baths are given in the tub and usually about twice or three times a week.