Bathing hedgehog

[CATELAN1989]

I m kinda new to the whole hedeghog bathing thing, so so if you have any helpful hints and tips to bathing I would realy realllllllllllllllllllly appreciate it.

[j4782]

I was told this repeatedly by a breeder: after the bath, wrap the hedgie in a towel at least 1/2 an hour and MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY DRY (belly included) before letting it go. Otherwise it could develop pneumonia or other sickness.

If you're using the bathtub, try 4-5 inches of warm water and provide an 'island' (folded towel). That way the hedgie can climb up and rest if tired.

And after it's out, dry in a towel. Keep it wrapped! Dry until you're SURE it's dry.

[incrovaj]

Well, welcome to the wonderful world of bathing a hedgehog. Each hedgehog is different that's for sure. Martha never minded bath time. Daisy is not such a fan of bath time. She begins to get irritated as soon as she hears the water, so.... I have a little rubbermaid tub that I put some baby shampoo in (aveeno because she was quilling right after I got her). Then I put just a little bit of water in there (about an inch and a half). She does not get as aggitated when she can walk in the water. Then I try to make sure that she gets the shampoo water all over her, and use a toothbursh to help make sure she is getting cleaned-it comes in especially handy for her little feet. Her least favorite part is the rinse. I just can't seem to get her rinsed good enough by dumping and refilling the tub, so I have to carefully pour water over her trying not to get it in her eyes. After her least favorite part however comes her most favorite part, cuddling in the towl.

NOTE: I am not sure about other hedgies, but I have read a lot about them pooping in thier bath water. Daisy has only done this once, but she likes to poop when being dried which causes the whole process to be repeated, so, if she gets squirmy when being dried, I put her in her litterbox to see if she will go, and then dry carefully.

Good luck. Hopefully others will be able to give you more words of wisdom.

[hemi_mygirl]

If their white fur or feet are stained, and no amount of scrubbing will get it off (don't laugh... Hemi had stained feet), out about a teaspoon of epson salts into the water. It really gets their fur white, and softens their feet and nails up (makes nail clipping waaaaaaay easier).

To get them more used to the water, pop them in even if they don't need it. Don't use soap or anything, just let them walk around in the water and talk to them. Pet them a bit and get them used to being touched. Maybe run your finger over their feet. As weird as this sounds, it worked wonderfully for Hemi. She'll splash around in the tub for as long as I'll let her, and nail clipping is simple. When I first got her, she was the houdini of the bathroom. Saucepan, easy. Wet porcelain sink, simple. Bathtub, tad more difficult. She was terrified of water and hated every second of it. Even now, as much as she enjoys bathtime, I don't dare try to wash AND clip her nails. It's one or the other... never both.

[Morley]

I use the baby shampoo/toothbrush technique, and it works out well. Just one word of advice: Try to get a towel just for you hedgehogs. When drying mine often lose a couple loose quills and they can easily become stuck in the towel. Even after washing a thick towel can hang on to a couple of those suckers and it is not fun for the next person using it.

[quillover]

My hedgies love baths, I use an old tooth brush for the quills and baby shampoo with warm water. They love it

[Melody]

How old should they be before their first bath, and how often should you bathe them? Anyone ever try rinsing them off with a sprayer arm (gentle water flow) like the ShowerPik?

[hemi_mygirl]

I would think a bath would be fine as soon as they're weaned, just make sure the water isn't too deep - belly height, at most.

As for the spray arm, we have a hand-held showerhead. I adjust the "intensity" of it, so it's a nice gentle spray, turn it down so it's a little trickle, and then gently rinse her off with it. She hated it the first time, but now... she tolerates it.

[CATELAN1989]

Is pantene shampoo okay to use to bath them in?

[hemi_mygirl]

No, it should be a mild kitten or baby shampoo, or Aveeno bodywash. Other "human" soaps and shampoos can dry their skin out too much. Avoid their ears, eyes, and noses.