The New Arrivals/Biting

[SherAlana]

On March 24th, my two new girls Nozomi (which means heaps of love) and Juji (which means hope, faith, and love) flew into the Houston International Airport from Chicago O'Hara ( late of course :)). They have settled in nicely to their new enclosure, they both love Nancy's wheels and sleep in the littler box -- even though Nancy made them awesome hedige bags and hats. But this is all besides the point, Juji seems to be the outgoing one, she is running around like crazy, runs all over me like an obstacle course and loved the car ride to my job the other day and the attention from my co-workers. Nozomi however, is a huge popper and clicker, will not unroll, and even pops and clicks around Juji. So I have been taking her out for 1-2 hr period and putting her in my lap while we quietly watch TV. She seems to be getting a bit better, still will not unroll but quills look more relaxed. Now, TO THE POINT:
Nozomi has been seen biting on the blankets on my bed, I told her no and made a loud sound, even blew in her face, that only made her hiss and hold onto the blanket with her teeth for dear life. She was also, biting at my jacket that hangs on the end of my bed. Again I clapped, said no, and tried to blow in her face and move her away, this time she left a nice small hole. My question is, should I let her bite on these things? I am afraid if I do she will not hesitate to bite me since I wear clothes. lol And what can I do to discourage the biting since the methods I mentioned above are not working? Any help would be appreciated.

[giry76]

He he Doris will chew on fabric if it smells new or funny or like her mommy or daddy. I would say to give her some "smelly" things to chew on and let her get used to her new surroundings.

[HedgieSpirit]

I usually just let Chloe chew on fabric that interests her. She mostly chews on it cuz it smells funny, not to put holes into it. I don't think that letting them chew on fabric will make then vicious and more likely to bite you. Chloe will chew on my hair and clothing (sometimes) and if my hands smell like food she will start to lick them-thats when I know its time to wash them :) Basically the chewing is part of exploration and if she does nip your fingers b/c they smell, its not that bad, next time you'll remember to be faster and to wash them :)

[Nancy]

Chewing on cloth and clothing seems to be a hedgie thing. I would just let her go ahead and do it. The chewing is usually followed by annointing and I think it is a way they get used to their surroundings. Many of my gang chew on my clothes, I just make sure there is nothing tight to my skin that they could accidently grab skin too.
If you're concerned about what she is biting just wear an old t-shirt and put an old sheet over your bed.

IMO she will relax quicker if she is allowed to chew and test her new territory. If she goes to chew something you don't want her to just replace it with something she can. :)

[paris26]

I have lavendar sachets in all of my new hedgie cages. Lavendar is supposed to be a calming and relaxing herb. I also use Rescue Remedy for the new ones and the quilling ones too. I swear it works for my crew, and if it doesn't work, it won't hurt them

[Love4Hedgies]

I also just let Zoe chew away. I don't see the harm in it. :)

[glamgal]

Pierce chews on pretty much everything, then anoints with it. It was cute until he started biting my hands, sometimes quite hard! I just don't know what to do about it any more. Usually I just take him with my free hand and pull him away gently from the one he's nibbling on, but I really wish I could figure out a way to get him to stop. I wash my hands before I pick him up, use the same soap every time I wash my hands, and the times I've picked him up without washing my hands first he still does it too...Nothing I seem to do makes any difference, he just loves to anoint with my fingers...and of course, he always finds the most sensitive spots!

I'm hoping it will pass as he becomes more adjusted to us, but we've had him already about 6 weeks...so I'll just wait it out and see what happens I guess...We love him dearly regardless, but it's beginning to look like we just got ourselves a grumpy, bitey hedgie.

[kaiteedyd]

Pierce chews on pretty much everything, then anoints with it. It was cute until he started biting my hands, sometimes quite hard! I just don't know what to do about it any more. Usually I just take him with my free hand and pull him away gently from the one he's nibbling on, but I really wish I could figure out a way to get him to stop. I wash my hands before I pick him up, use the same soap every time I wash my hands, and the times I've picked him up without washing my hands first he still does it too...Nothing I seem to do makes any difference, he just loves to anoint with my fingers...and of course, he always finds the most sensitive spots!

I'm hoping it will pass as he becomes more adjusted to us, but we've had him already about 6 weeks...so I'll just wait it out and see what happens I guess...We love him dearly regardless, but it's beginning to look like we just got ourselves a grumpy, bitey hedgie.

Fizzy is tied for 'sweetest hedgehog I have ever owned'. (Confetti angel shares the title with her.) But she bites me pretty often. I don't think she's doing it out of meaness. I think she just wants to know if I am food. It doesn't really hurt. I just pry her mouth off and tell her 'no'.

[CoquiMom]

Pierce chews on pretty much everything, then anoints with it. It was cute until he started biting my hands, sometimes quite hard! I just don't know what to do about it any more. Usually I just take him with my free hand and pull him away gently from the one he's nibbling on, but I really wish I could figure out a way to get him to stop. I wash my hands before I pick him up, use the same soap every time I wash my hands, and the times I've picked him up without washing my hands first he still does it too...Nothing I seem to do makes any difference, he just loves to anoint with my fingers...and of course, he always finds the most sensitive spots!

I'm hoping it will pass as he becomes more adjusted to us, but we've had him already about 6 weeks...so I'll just wait it out and see what happens I guess...We love him dearly regardless, but it's beginning to look like we just got ourselves a grumpy, bitey hedgie.

Have you tried washing your hands in non-scented soap before you handle him? I have a few babies here that do that and I take my hand away as soon as I feel them start to put teeth on me. Poor things they learn pretty quickly that they can lick me but not chew me. :)