If you’re looking for how to bond with your hedgehog, you’re in the right place. However, you must know that forming a bond with a new hedgehog pet takes time.
You’ll need to go carefully and give the hedgehog time to get to know you because it’s unfamiliar with them.
Also, you’ll have to spend 30 minutes each day bonding with your hedgehog to maintain a positive relationship.
Read on for detailed information about bonding with your hedgehog.
8 Ways to Make Hedgehogs Trust You
1. Pick Them Up Frequently
You must communicate with your hedgehog daily to develop a bond with it. Your hedgie will “forget” you if you abandon them alone inside their cage and aren’t in contact with them for an entire week.
Hogs aren’t domestic animals like dogs and cats, so keep that in mind. They won’t start any bonding activity with you unless you do!
Tuck them in your hood pocket, fleece, or t-shirt. Plus, every night, cuddle them in this manner as you watch TV or read a novel.
They will become familiar with you more quickly the more often they feel your presence, smell you, listen to your heartbeat, and hear your voice. The clearest sign of connection is when your hedgie begins to doze off in your lap.
2. Handle Them With Care
Lift your hedgehog off the ground by placing your hands on his body’s sides. Let your hedgehog settle into a cozy spot in your hands. You need him to experience safety and support.
The ideal time to pick them up is when he is lying on his belly. The hedgehog can be held in your hands or set on your lap.
When you pick up your hedgehog, he can ball up. This is entirely normal. Avoid handling your hedgehog shortly after eating, touching smelly objects, or handling other animals.
Your hedgehog might bite you and ball up since it won’t recognize you. Instead, ensure you wash your hands before picking them up.
3. Talk to Your Hog
Hedgehogs are responsive to sound, so they will be startled when they hear your voice at first. They fear what they don’t understand.
Talk to your hedgie daily to get them used to hear you visually speak to avoid frightful, loud, or abrupt noises.
Talking to your hedgie during feeding time is extremely important. Your voice and scent will be related to some of their favorite things, such as treats and food.
4. Place a T-Shirt or Fleece With Your Smell in the Cage
Hedgehogs are at least three feet square, allowing you to fit one among your old clothes inside to let it adapt to your scent.
Hedgehogs rely heavily on smell because they can’t see very well.
Helping your pet become accustomed to your scent by placing things that have your scent close by is one of the most excellent strategies to strengthen your bond with them.
5. Win Them Over With Treats
If your hog doesn’t uncurl, you can trick them out with a delicious treat. Give them a banana piece or a mealworm with long tweezers first. You can use your fingers after they are more familiar with your scent.
Place the treat near their face while holding it upside-down once they are curled. The intriguing smell should prompt them to respond.
6. Give Your Hedgehog Time to Unroll
It’s possible that your hedgehog is shy and takes a while to unfold. The hog can rest on your lap or become comfortable underneath its blanket until he unrolls.
Your hedgie will understand how secure and cozy your lap is for unwinding and sleeping.
When handling your hedgehog, always be cautious. You may damage the relationship you’re attempting to establish by your being overly harsh or impatient.
While your hedgehog naps in your lap, you can watch TV or play a game on your laptop.
7. Watch Your Shadow
When you approach the cage holding your hedgehog, be mindful of the lighting in the space. They can only see dark and light because of the hedgehog’s poor eyesight.
They will become alarmed and curl up if someone instantly casts a dark shadow on their area as you draw closer. To avoid being illuminated from behind, position the light source ahead of you and their cage.
The secret to bonding with a hedgehog is knowing how to approach them.
- Use a Blanket to Wrap Them
If your hedgehog hasn’t been taught to use a litter box, cover it in a blanket, sit it in your lap, and keep it close by as you walk about your house.
Additionally, the blanket will give your hedgehog a place to hide and make it feel safer.
Final Word
Nearly all new hedgehog owners experience anxiety when touching their new pet. It’s not just you. Therefore, you need to know how to bond with your hedgehog to be on the safe side.
Remember that your hedgehog doesn’t despise you. It’s just that they don’t yet trust you.
Therefore, you need to make an effort to comprehend the defensive nature of hedgehogs to start bonding with them.
