She bit me!

[tijya]

I got my hedgie two days ago. She hadn't been handled very much, so I know I have my work cut out for me.

I had her out yesterday on my lap while she slept. I did the same today. She was a bit more active. I've also been sitting with her during playtime. Yesterday she wouldn't come out of hiding, but I don't know if it was too bright for her.

She came out today when I turned off some lights. She ran around me, ate food out of my hand, and seemed pretty comfortable. She didn't roll up when I was talking, etc. She licked my feet, nibbled a bit, and I made her stop (cause I thought she'd bite harder, and it felt weird).

Then a bit later she licked my hand, and then took a chunk out of it! I got up and washed my hands with some strong smelling soap, and went to sit with her some more...but she wouldn't come out.

I guess I am more shocked than anything else. I know it will take time, but I just didn't expect her to bite in that kind of situation! And man do they grab hold!

[tijya]

I was just rereading my post, and needed to edit. I meant mild smelling soap! opps. :) We don't even have strong smelling soap. Silly me!

[illinidairychic]

I got a bit of a shock yesterday with a bitting hedgehog as well. I was going to make a new thread about it but since this one is about biting I'll post here. I've had a curious nip from a hoglet before, warning nips from Bandit, Max would nip cause he was weaned too early (thank god we got past that stage), and I've heard stories of people getting nipped from time to time.

But yesterday if I hadn't expierenced what happened I never would have believed it, In fact my mom said it happened to her a week ago and I thought she was nuts. There is a very nice petstore in Peoria. It is a mom and pop set up but very big and every time I'm there someone is always walking around checking cages and cleaning :).

Anyway they have their hogs in a cage that you can reach down and handle them and check them out. Well there was one out walking around and he seemed very friendly. I stroked his back and he kept his quills as flat as could be. Well I decided to pick the lil guy up and he latched on to my hand!!!! I was like OMG what is wrong with this hog...He let go pretty quickly but still I couldn't figure it out. He walked around a little more and I decided to see if he would let me pet him again. He did again no puffing or huffing.

anyone else ever experience this??

[paris26]

Some hedgies will bite because they are easily stimulated (i.e. new scents, new environment, new people etc.) and some will bite because they are not well socialized and some will bite just because.
I'm betting the scented soap had something to do with your nip Tiyja. Just remember... they almost always start licking before they bite ;

[tijya]

I hadn't washed my hands before the bite, just after (cause I disinfected).

Does that mean I should not let her lick me?

[tijya]

Or just that I should be careful when she does?

[hemi_mygirl]

I wish my girl would lick before she nipped. LOL. Luckily, she doesn't bite often - and only once has she bitten me hard enough for it to hurt. Usually, she nips at me because I don't feed her the treat fast enough or I can't read her mind quite as quickly as she'd prefer.

Try just washing your hand with as hot of water as you can stand. That's what I do, and since water has no scent...that cuts down on the nipping.

[hedgehog69]

try to wash your hands with hand sanitizer before handeling him/her that what i use and have never been bitten by any of mine, I have had them bite my shirt but i think it was just because the smell of the laundry soap. worth a try I know it doesnt feel good lol.

[bloane]

Depends on te hedgehog...I have had SEVERAL that would automatically try to rip the flesh off of my bones if I had used hand sanitizer within 10 minutes before picking them up. :-P
Becca

[illinidairychic]

I use hand sanitizer between cages and I make sure it's dry before handling them. That way the smell isn't so strong. I would agree with staying away from strong smelling soaps and make sure your hands don't smell tasty.