Conslusion: Joanie doesn't like baths, or nail clipping, but love mealies!

[kirste5]

After giving Joanie some banana, she proceeded to annoint...with it? Anyway, it left some banana gunk on her quills, so I had the brilliant idea to give her a bath. Maybe it would sooth her dry skin too. I must say, Joanie hated it. I gave her a nice big mealie worm when we finished.


Then today, I saw Joanie's nails were on the longish side. So with my mum's help I was able to cut three of her nails (two different occaisons). Joanie tried to escape the whole time. I tried getting her belly wet, worked a little, but Joanie /really/ doesn't like water. I figure that if I cut one nail a day by the time I'd finish they'd be long again...Hehe, any tips?

Oh ya...I gave Joanie a big mealie after clipping as well...

[hemi_mygirl]

It just takes some time. When you're cuddling with Joanie, try just rubbing her feet and getting her used to having them touched. When she's done quilling, try holding her on her back, and rubbing her feet and legs when she starts waving them around. When she's comfortable with that, you can clip her nails like that too. That's how I do Hemi's.

[kirste5]

The thing is Joanie doens't let me near her feet, usually she just balls up, but today she bit me. Skin was broken, but no blood...barely. What should I do then??

[incrovaj]

The thing is Joanie doens't let me near her feet, usually she just balls up, but today she bit me. Skin was broken, but no blood...barely. What should I do then??

I really have no advice for biting, but I have a question for you. Had you washed your hands between the last time you touched food and when you held Joanie? I know that Daisy only bites if she can smell food on someone, and there is always a warning lick first. I have heard of other biters, but it is something to be aware of. I only realized that this was Daisy's issue by accident.

[kirste5]

I don't think so, but I don't think this was a tasting bite...I think it was a get away from my feet bite.

[hemi_mygirl]

When she bites you, blow in her face. This will not hurt her, but is annoying enough that she will think before biting you again. It will also make her let go of your finger. When/if she bites again, don't pull away - that only makes a hedgehog hold on tighter. Just blow in her face and she'll let go and curl into a ball, or at least, put her visor down. A hedgehog can't bite if it's hiding it's face.

This method worked wonderfully on Hemi, who was a bit of a "nibbler" a while ago. Took three times for her to catch on. Now, she threatens to bite, puts her mouth on my skin, but doesn't actually close her mouth. It's kind of funny.

[Nancy]

Blowing in their face works for some of those who aren't really serious about biting. For others it just makes them latch on harder and add to that, grind their teeth back and forth. :laugh: