BATH? I'm nervous

[carlabeth]

I'm afraid to give Quiver his first bath. Would the bathtub be a good place? I was thinking I could put very little water in it and there would be a dry part. How do I rinse him without getting water in his eyes? For my human boys I use a visor. Do you think there are hedgie size visors? (joke) Do I need to scrub him this first time? I want it to minimize the trauma. I was planning on using tear free baby shampoo, is that ok? Or do I need animl shampoo?

[mommy2ryan]

I started and still use the kitchen sink. I put the drain strainer in and then stuff it with a washcloth.

I fill it with warm water and let her walk around to get used to it and then I use my sprayer(test temp first) to rinse her gently. I do this every Wedsday. I use the sprayer on her tummy and especially on her feet. The first Weds of the month she get a good cleaning with a toothbrush in her quills.

[hemi_mygirl]

If it's first bath, you could just let him wander around in the water and get used to the whole idea. I use the bathtub and put about an inch of water in. To avoid getting water in his ears, eyes and nose, I don't ever pour water past where their neck should be. To clean their face, I use a soft face-cloth.

If he doesn't really need the bath, don't use soap. when you decide to use soap, get a mild kitten shampoo, or Aveeno body wash with colloidal oatmeal (or however its spelled). You could just practice with water this time. Gently pour water over his back, and "scrub" him with a toothbrush. Basically, scrubbing means rubbing his quills in the direction they grow.

Good luck!

[nicanor]

You may luck out and have a hedgie that loves water. Or you may get psycho wet hedgie like mine. I use a sink for my bathes. I let it fill a few inches with warm water, once he's in I usually drain it after 30 seconds or so since all the loose debris from his feet will be floating around, and I don't want to wash him in contaminated water. Then I fill it up again a little higher in warm water. Mine can only handle maybe 3 minutes of water and usually put in a small amount of baby bubble bath (not enough to bubble the water really) and use my fingers to clean the quills. I also have a cup handy to get fresh water to over his body.

[illinidairychic]

I've got a few of both, some love to paddle around in the water even though they could just stand up and walk around. It's pretty cute actually....then I have the climbing the walls with the panicked are you trying to kill me look ;) good luck on the first bath and let us know how it goes :)

[hedgehog69]

all of mine love playing in the water I just fill the tub up about an inch or two with room temp water and let them play a little before bath time just like kids lol.

[carlabeth]

thanks everyone. I might brave it tomorrow night.