Should I leave my Hedgie alone?

[myhedgieamy]

Hi guys, I am a new Hedgehog Owner and Just came down with a very nasty cold, too skittish to pick up my Hedgehog with the illness I have, I am wondering if I should leave her alone till I am better or is it safe to handle her while still sick... Please help I am not sure what to do here.

[Annie&Tibbers]

In general, human colds don't transfer to tiny hedgehogs -- it's not a cross-species disease. But some diseases do transfer, so depending on your paranoia level, you might want to convince someone else in your household to handle your new small friend while you're ill.

You do want to make sure she's handled every day -- they regress really quickly if left alone. If you can give her things that smell like you (fabric you've slept with, worn shirts) but aren't icky-germy infection vectors (no handkerchiefs or sleeves you've been sneezing into!), you can help her grow accustomed to your scent.

[myhedgieamy]

I already gave her one of my old T-shirts but my roommate and other friends are afraid of handling her. When I first got her they saw her curl into a ball spike up and hiss. It is of course a little intimidating but I am not scared of it. However my other friends were like Uh no... attitude when they saw this. Then again I had myself prepared by watching videos and reading up on Hedgies but I never knew anything about if I get sick if I should leave my hedgie alone. I love playing with her and handling her so this is tearing me up on the inside. I just don't want her to get sick.

[AngelaH]

I feel like it would be okay if you washed your hands good before handling her and being careful not to cough or sneeze in her direction. I would hold out on the kisses too until you feel better. It is important she gets attention.

[Annie&Tibbers]

Considering the low risk of a human cold transferring to a human, and the high risk of little hedgehog getting downright grumpy if you leave her alone, if it were me, I'd handle her anyway.