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View Full Version : Update on my biting hedgie


LoriL
05-02-2006, 09:22 AM
As everyone knows, I've been having troubles with Mikey biting like crazy-to the point where he's drawing blood. I did try Purell, but that didn't make a difference either.

I also asked the question at another message board, and it was suggested that I wake him up very slowly. Calling out to him and slowly moving him from his cage and then holding his bowl of food in my hands while holding him.

I had always awakened him slowly (I thought), and I never thought he was hungry because he never touched his food from the night before when offered. I would wake him, hold him in his hedgiebag in my lap and then take him out and place him by his food bowl in his cage. He never touched the food.

Well last night, I filled the bowl with fresh food early in the evening since I noticed as soon as I fill the bowl with fresh food, he goes right to it. I woke him up verrrrry slowly and then brought his bowl of fresh food with me while I held him. He unrolled so quickly-within about 5 seconds! He didn't eat right away, he sniffed all around, sniffed my hands, my shirt, looked at me, looked and sniffed at the bowl, and then started to eat!

He ate for a bit, looked up at me, crawled up my shirt a ways to get a better look at me, went back to his bowl, ate a bit more, and then just basically sat in my hand looking around! I was so afraid to move or breathe or do anything! A couple of times I must've moved too quickly (I didn't think so), and he immediately balled up and huffed, but relaxed very quickly.

I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier, I have two children, and they were always hungry when they were babies right when they woke up. He just wants fresh food-NOW. :)

Anyway, he didn't try to bite me at all. He was very cuddly, very friendly. Still very timid to any other movement, but a much different boy!

Lori

j4782
05-02-2006, 08:26 PM
yea! :)

mommy2ryan
05-02-2006, 08:57 PM
progress!

incrovaj
05-02-2006, 09:19 PM
Good for you! I am so glad you found something that seems to work for your little guy. :hyper:

hedgehog69
05-02-2006, 10:33 PM
keep it up whatever keeps him happy

treva.
05-02-2006, 11:52 PM
haha, it's nice to know that he wasn't saying, "I hate you," so much as, "Yarrrr, I'm hunngryyyy." I'm glad you sorted it out! Now he'll associate hanging out with you with getting some grub and he'll be much more inclined towards it.

HedgieMate
05-03-2006, 08:07 AM
Congrats! I'm glad something is working. He was just hungry; that makes sense, doesn't it? Hope you'll all enjoy cuddlying with friendlier bite-less Mikey! :)

ahuber
05-13-2006, 04:26 PM
I'm glad my girl isn't a biter, because I'm sure she would have atleast tried to nip at me if she was.