Handling Your Hedgie
Learning to Hold Your Hedgehog
Holding a prickly hedgehog the first time is a bit intimidating, but it’s really not as hard as it looks.
First things first, don’t be scared. Hedgehog quills are not barbed, like a porcupine’s, nor will they detach from the hedgie’s body and stick in your hand. If you are jumpy when handling your hedgehog it will make it more nervous, thus more prickly and harder to handle. Take a few deep breaths and dive in with confidence.
Hedgehogs are relatively harmless and won’t hurt you. Of course the quills are pokey, but they aren’t exactly sharp. In seven years of hedgehog handling I’ve never once been poked hard enough to draw blood. It is quite common for the quills to irritate the skin a bit, but it is not serious and after a few handlings it will subside. Over time, you will hardly even notice the quills.
The most important thing to remember about holding your pet hedgehog is to never, ever wear gloves. If you feel the need to put something between you and the quills the first few times, use a t-shirt with your scent on it. Using gloves inhibits the hedgehog from learning your scent and your touch. It’s crucial that your hedgehog learn who you are and be handled frequently. Always without gloves.
The easiest way to pick up your hedgie is to scoop it from underneath. The hedgehog’s belly is covered in soft fur, so it will not hurt you. Quickly scoop it from underneath making sure to hold its legs, so that it feels secure. Then you can bring it to your chest, or flip it over so it will roll into a ball in the palm of your hand.
Hedgehogs can also be picked up by the scruffs of their neck, but that is not the ideal way to carry them. You want them to feel as safe as possible with you.
The quicker you become comfortable handling your hedgie the quicker it will be comfortable with you.
Contact: roxieprince@sayhedgehog.com
