How to Become the Best Friend for Your Pet Hedgehog

When you bring a hedgehog home, don't expect it to become your friend immediately. For this prickly creature, your house is a completely new and sometimes scary environment, and you are a stranger. So, it will take time and patience for your hedgehog to start bonding with you. Dedicate 30 minutes each day to interact with it, and soon it will become your loyal companion.

How to Tame Your Hedgehog Through Touch

Step 1. Wash your hands before handling the hedgehog.

Before picking up your hedgehog, wash your hands thoroughly. Use the same soap so that the hedgehog can remember your scent and feel more at ease. Avoid wearing gloves as they may scare it, causing it to show aggression.

• The smell from gloves can cause anxiety in a hedgehog, making it more likely to bite.
• If you are uncomfortable holding the hedgehog with bare hands, wrap it in a towel, but use the same towel for this purpose and wash it with the same detergent.

Step 2. Lift the hedgehog gently.

Lift the hedgehog with care. Support it from the sides and lift it, allowing it to settle in your hands. It's important for the hedgehog to feel safe and not risk falling.

• The best way to lift a hedgehog is when it's lying on its back.
• You can hold the hedgehog in your hands or place it on your lap.
• If it curls into a ball, don't worry—this is a normal reaction.
• Avoid picking up the hedgehog if you have recently eaten or handled strongly scented items, and also avoid contact with other animals to prevent confusion.
• Wash your hands thoroughly to eliminate any foreign scents.

Step 3. Allow the hedgehog to get used to you.

Give your hedgehog time to adjust. If your pet is scared, this can take a while. You can cover it with a blanket and wait until it becomes more confident, or simply leave it on your lap. Soon it will realize that your lap is a safe place to rest.

• Handle the hedgehog very gently to avoid breaking its trust.
• You can keep the hedgehog on your lap while watching TV or working on the computer.

Step 4. Pet the hedgehog from head to tail.

Pet the hedgehog in the direction of its quills—from head to tail. If you do it the other way around, it may feel uncomfortable. When the hedgehog is relaxed, its quills are pressed against its body, but if it's scared, it will bristle up.

• Do not pet the hedgehog if it looks scared and has bristled.
• If your pet is not yet accustomed to you, it may not like being petted. Give it time to adjust to your touch.

How to Tame Your Hedgehog Through Scent

Step 1. Place a t-shirt in the hedgehog's cage.

Put a t-shirt in the hedgehog's cage. Hedgehogs have a strong sense of smell, and your scent will help it associate you with safety. This will make it more sociable and help it get used to being picked up. Wear the t-shirt for a couple of days before placing it in the cage.

• Do not wash the t-shirt before placing it in the cage.
• Ensure that there are no loose threads sticking out from the t-shirt.
• The hedgehog will use your t-shirt as a blanket.

Step 2. Place a fleece item in your bed.

Put a fleece item, sized to fit where your hedgehog sleeps, in your bed. After 2-3 nights, when the fleece absorbs your scent, place it in the cage where your hedgehog likes to sleep. If your pet uses a sleeping bag, keep it in your bed for a few nights before returning it to the cage.

• A baby blanket will also work.
• Fleece items are great because they don't have loose threads.

Step 3. Be cautious with new scents.

Be wary of new scents. Every time you use a new lotion, perfume, or soap, your scent changes. This can confuse the hedgehog, and it may not recognize you. Try to stick to the same grooming products and fragrances.

• If the hedgehog likes a new scent, it might start grooming itself by rubbing the scent into its quills.
• Strong scents can be unpleasant for hedgehogs.

How to Acclimate Your Hedgehog to Sounds

Step 1. Talk to your hedgehog.

Talk to your hedgehog while holding it, feeding it, or bathing it. This will help it get used to your voice and associate it with comfort. Always speak in a calm and friendly tone.

• If your hedgehog curls up into a ball and raises its quills, you might be speaking too loudly.
• Talk to the hedgehog every time you give it a treat. It will start to associate the sound of your voice with pleasant moments.

Step 2. Play soft music in the background.

Play soft music in the background. This will create a cozy atmosphere for your hedgehog. Background music will help it acclimate to the new environment and prevent it from getting scared by unexpected sounds. If your pet is used to silence, it might be startled by sudden noises.

• If the sounds are too loud for you, they will be loud for the hedgehog as well.
• Pay attention to the sounds your hedgehog makes. If it purrs, it means it is happy.

Step 3. Gradually introduce your hedgehog to new sounds.

Gradually acclimate your hedgehog to new sounds. Hearing too many new sounds at once can stress it out. When talking to your hedgehog, turn off the TV or music. If you're watching TV, let the sound be the only thing the hedgehog hears.

• If you often have guests or many people in your apartment, your pet will get used to the voices of others as well.
• The sounds of opening and closing doors can be irritating to hedgehogs.

How to Recognize Your Hedgehog's Personality

Step 1. Look for signs of defensive behavior.

Learn to recognize signs of defensive behavior. It's quite simple to understand when a hedgehog is scared or angry. If you notice such signs, it’s important to calm your pet down. Hold it gently, rock it, pet its quills, speak softly to it, or simply leave it alone. Here are some signs indicating a hedgehog's displeasure:

• raised quills;
• snorting and hissing;
• aggressive behavior and biting;
• curling into a ball;
• trembling.

Step 2. The affectionate hedgehog.

An affectionate hedgehog loves being petted and prefers to sleep in your lap. These hedgehogs are sociable and enjoy tactile contact, making them perfect for first-time owners.

Step 3. The explorer hedgehog.

If your hedgehog starts exploring its surroundings when taken out of its cage, it has the personality of an explorer. It doesn't like to stay in one place and prefers active play. To befriend such a hedgehog, play with it.

• Watch its play and talk to it in a soft, confident voice.
• The explorer hedgehog will enjoy walking on your hands, so present them one at a time.

Step 4. The shy hedgehog.

Some hedgehogs are very timid and shy. They don’t like socializing but won’t curl up into a ball or hiss when you try to pick them up. If your pet is shy, it’s better for it to stay alone in its cage, as it doesn't require much interaction.

Step 5. The grumpy hedgehog.

If your hedgehog prefers to stay in its cage and behaves grumpily, it may curl up into a ball and hiss when you pick it up. However, with patience, it may become more friendly and open.