Antsy Hedgehog

[tacotac]

How do you go about holding and socializing with an antsy hedgie that won't stay still and craps all over you?? I put him in the tub, but now he doesn't go as much in the tub anymore. I would take him outside, but it is the wrong season :) .

[Kerrie]

Does he have a wheel? Some hedgies are just known for always being on the run. "The runners" they are called. I had one (Harley) that hated being held, picked up, cuddled, etc. I tried the lap thing, the tee-shirt thing, everything. He just wanted to be left alone and was very content that way. Just always on the go. In the cage and out.
I tried everything for about a year, then gave up. He was just a grumpy hedgehog that loved to run free. But I gotta tell you..he was probably one of my favorite.:)
Keep working on taking him out, holding him on your lap everynight while watching tv or something and see how it goes. How long have you had him? He may just be a "Runner".
Good luck and keep us up-dated.:)

[tacotac]

Maybe around a month now. He isn't grumpy at all, friendly and tame, but he tries his best to squirm out of your hands. He has a wheel too.

[groovychic]

My Kahlua is the same way. We adopted her from an apartment with many animals (3dogs, cats, ferrets, plus many more I'm guessing). She wasn't held much if any and didn't even have a wheel in her cage. She is still very antsy and doesn't like to be held at all. She is content hiding under her blankie and that is about it. When we take her out she wants to hide.....after a few minutes she poops and poops some more. I don't know if this is a game with her cause she knows that she will be put back in her cage :dunno: But at least we got her to stop biting, she used to latch onto my finger and not let go! She has made progress, but I know she will never be the "cuddle bug" that Herbie is. But we still love our "Lua Girl".

[hemi_mygirl]

How do you go about holding and socializing with an antsy hedgie that won't stay still and craps all over you?? I put him in the tub, but now he doesn't go as much in the tub anymore. I would take him outside, but it is the wrong season :) .
How old is the hedgie? Babies tend to poop more than adults. :)

I've noticed that my hedgehog, Hemi, is sometimes really antsy when I'm cuddling her. Normally, she's a cuddler, but there's some nights she just wants to run and play in her cage. That could be what your hedgehog is trying to tell you, like other people have written. Some will never be hardcore cuddlers, but runners or explorers, and the only use they have for us is to feed them, clean up after them, and let them us as a big jungle gym.

[HedgieMate]

Some hedgies are just known for always being on the run. "The runners" they are called. I had one (Harley) that hated being held, picked up, cuddled, etc. I tried the lap thing, the tee-shirt thing, everything. He just wanted to be left alone and was very content that way.
Mine is EXACTLY like that too. He despises being held. He is not grumpy just wants to be free and on the move. I wish he were cuddlier, but it's so entertaining to watch him run around everywhere -- including all over our bodies. He looks so frisky and jovial.

I'm gradually accepting the fact that he'll never be a "cuddler" and I'm also learning to accept him the way he is. (Of course, this doesn't stop me from trying to cuddle with him...)
:winkgrin:

[tacotac]

I can't wait to let him loose in the ball field next to my house this summer. He will have a blast!! They will get their exercise. I probably won't get much just walking around following them, but it is still fun to watch them enjoying themselves. The dirt circles probably remind them of a sandy desert or something! :hearts: