antisocial hedgehog

[hedgie_power]

Hey

My hedgie won't seem to ever come out of her ball. I am sitting with her almost every day and she still doesn't want to come out.

One more question. How do you tell if your hedgie has dry skin?

[paris26]

How long have you had your hedgehog?? They will vary with socialization. My first one took me a good 6 months before he started coming around for me. I have 2 right now that rarely come out of their balls and they are already adults :shrug: Also, what time are you handling her? If it's too early in the day, they might not appreciate it, especially since you are trying to get to know her.

You can visibly see the dry skin, it will flake off, or you'll have some "dandruff" like stuff on your hands or clothes. I use Aveeno oatmeal bath and vitamin E oil to help it.

[nicanor]

they feel more secure when they're on solid ground (like your palm of you hands) when balled up. So they won't unball if you hold them sideways or upside-down while they're in a ball. Try placing them while in a ball with their foot facing down on your palms or lap. Then put a finger on their back and make a circular motion, it tends to relax them a bit. Mine sometimes balls up when I pick him up but quickly unballs once he's on my palms, or if not will unball once I start rubbing it's back.

Also put one of your worn shirts in their cage to sleep in so they'll get used to your smell. And play with them in dimmed lighting and not a noisy environment, mine rarely comes out when the lights are on full blast and/or TV on loud. Also alot of hedgies hide once they find out someone is watching them. Or will ball up again if you make a sudden movement or noise, so move very slowly or still and keep quiet.

[wyvernrider18]

Yes, the backrub thing works with almost every hedgehog. All 6 of the hedgehogs here will all come out of the ball if you rub their backs. My favorite girl, Hotaru, just had major surgery a week ago today, so she is VERY cranky, but the backrub thing works with her as well. It's rather cute, really.

[PrettyHate]

When I got Murdoc he was SO shy. I would hold him for at least 30-45 min, and he would still just be a prickle ball. All I did was kept on holding him, talking to him, and keeping him lightly covered in some kind of blanky so he didnt feel exposed... within a couple weeks he was starting to unball for me. Id also keep my hand ontop of him so he would feel the weight of it, and get used to that, then then lightly rub my thumb along with back, keeping the rest of my hand still. Sudden movements can scare these guys- so anything you can do to keep them to a minimum is great :)

He is still my shy guy- but has made amazing progress none the less.

[CATELAN1989]

When I first got Mr. Prickles he would not unball, and after a few weeks of leaving him alone he will now let me pick him up without balling up. (Now I just need to get him used to me petting him)

[Cookies&Cream_]

mine come out when set her down flat :)