A little advice please...

[hedgiesinvegas]

Greetings from sunny (and HOT) Las Vegas!
I have an issue and I would like to throw out to you all in hopes of getting some advice. There is a local pet shop here in Vegas that I get my hedgehog food from. They have quite a few exotic animals, and needless to say, they carry hedgehogs. They always have at least 12-15 at any one time. Anyways, Over the past few months, they have had a display set up with a single male in there. Well, I went in last night to pick up food, and like always, this hedgie was still there. I talked to the clerk and she said they were reducing his cost as he had been in the store for about six months and has not sold. The clerk told me that they could never handle him as the clerks were either to scared of him or they were alllergic. Even when his cage was being cleaned, they did it around him. I went home and thought about it overnight, and decided to get him in hopes of giving him a better home and a more relaxed situation (He was on a waist level shelf in a 20 gallon or so aquarium). When I went in tonight to purchase him, I was able to pick him up (with the aid of a towel), and I got him to un-ball pretty quickly. However, he was very unhappy about being handled. His quills never really went down and he kept trying to run away. He is also EXTREMELY heavy. The wheel that they had in the cage with him I he couldnt fit half of his body into. So all this guy has done is eat and sleep.
So, now that you know the story, my questions are: 1. What is the best way to get this guy used to being handled without stressing him out to bad. He is really sweet and I think he will come around but I am unsure what will be best for him. 2. What is the best diet for him so that I can try and get his weight down a bit.
Thanks for taking the time to read this long post. Any advice will be appreciated :)

[lil22]

I would say a high quality lite cat food would be a good diet...and having a wheel in with him should help reduce his weight pretty quickly! I think it might be a good idea to put an old t-shirt or something with your scent on it in with him so he gets used to your smell...also maybe for the first couple days while he's adjusting, just put your hand in there for a little bit and see if he comes to it...maybe have a treat on your hand so he knows your hand = good things...then after he adjusts, just make quality time for you and him about once a day. Just let him sit with you, let him walk over you and explore...I think he'll come out of his shell eventually.

[Ododad]

I would say a high quality lite cat food would be a good diet...and having a wheel in with him should help reduce his weight pretty quickly! I think it might be a good idea to put an old t-shirt or something with your scent on it in with him so he gets used to your smell...also maybe for the first couple days while he's adjusting, just put your hand in there for a little bit and see if he comes to it...maybe have a treat on your hand so he knows your hand = good things...then after he adjusts, just make quality time for you and him about once a day. Just let him sit with you, let him walk over you and explore...I think he'll come out of his shell eventually.
I agree. Chicken Soup For The Cat Lovers Soul Lite (or CSFTCLS Lite), Wellness Lite, Royal Caine Slim 38, Buffalo Blue are just some suggestions on the food. As for a wheel, a 12" comfort wheel or a comparable sized wheel with a solid floor should do. Also, if you can find one or make one a bucket wheel does nicely. Find out what they are feeding him and change him over to a better mix gradually as so not to upset his tummy. Each day add a little bit more of the new mix into the old until he is completly eating the new stuff. You say your already buying your hedgehog food at this place. I assume by that you already have at least one hedgehog. Treat the new guy as you did the hedgie(s) that you already have. If you got him to un-ball and he was active enough to try to run away then that shows about as much trust as you could expect seeing that he didn't even know you. I would say that's a pretty good sign that he will become friendly. Just keep working with him. He may have a lot of love to give the right person. Just waiting for that person to come along. Give him some time and handle him every night. Gradually increase the handling time each night. Let him wake up by himself then handle him a little while, let him run around a little and increase this. The worn tee shirt is an excellent idea. It will help him to get used to your scent. A hedgehog views the world mainly by smell and sound. Talk to him. Let him get used to the sound of your voice. Sometimes I even sing to mine. Be careful handing him treats with your fingers though. You may get a nip. Not a mean nip, but a nip that says that your finger sure does smell good! lol
Good luck and keep us posted.

[hedgiesinvegas]

Thanks you both for the advice.....Have a happy 4th!!

[Ododad]

Thank you for coming back and acknowledging our replies to your thread. I wish everyone would do that. Happy 4th to you too!

[lil22]

happy fourth! :)