My hedgehog is approximately 5 months old, and I love her to death. Unfortunatly she does not feel the same. I have had her for about a month. I got her from a guy who I think might not have cared for her as he should have. her wheel was too small for her to even get in, and he was feeding her horrible food. I have spent upwards of 30 minutes a day with her, only missing a few days in the month I have had her. She seems to be regressing. She had improved up until about a week and a half ago, now she just hates me all the time. I have a play pen for her, and if it is completely dark she will move in it a little bit, but if there is any light at all she just sits there. If I try to touch her she hisses or runs away. I know hedgies are sensitive to light, but I have seen other hedgies do perfectly fine in the daylight. I don't know what to do. It makes me want to cry because I want her to like me. Please Help!
ahh i think a lot of people have felt that rejection before =/ i know exactly how you feel. it definitely could be that she wasn't handled enough before you got her. maybe try spending more time with her? its gonna take a lot of patience from both of you to build that trust. try to get her in a routine. and dont give in to her grumpiness. the grumpier she is, the more you love her up. she'll give in, it just might take a while. please don't give up on her. my fiona was in the same place...not handled enough before I got her, so it took some time, but eventually she was my little angel. never warmed up to others really, just me. made me feel special haha also...im a little unfamiliar with the babies, but don't they quill around 5-6 months? perhaps that is why she is regressing, as you put it. does she show signs of quilling/discomfort?
Agreed!! I know "be patient" is probably the last thing you were hoping to hear but if she came from a not so great situation she probably just needs more time. Hedgies can be so picky and stubborn and on top of that you are also dealing with getting her to learn that she is in good hands now. Give her more time and yes, maybe even a bit more time with her per day will help. Don't give up on her...it will be worth it!
A lot of hedgehogs go throw a six month quilling. It's not easy to see at first, because you'll only notice their skin becoming a lot drier and their temperament changing.
Also keep in mind that some hedgehogs won't be active in the light at all. Every hedgehog is different. If Ellie Mae isn't comfortable doing playtime with you in her cage, you can have her on your lap in a snuggle sack, or on your tummy under your shirt, etc. Just keep her on the same schedule, and keep her out as much as you have time for, and as long as you can before she gets huffy. You'll have to keep trying different things and adjusting depending on how she does.
I have one hedgie a year and he absolutely hates the light, always has, probably always will. I figure he just has sensitive eyes. Try to keep the room you are in dim when you are handling her, it might help her to feel a bit calmer. And like everyone else says, it will just take patience! The grumpier she is now the more rewarding it will be when she does learn to trust you!
And don't forget it's a gradual thing too!
She probably already trusts you more than she trusts anyone else
Good luck
Don't give up on her and don't take her hissing personal as hard as it is. Maybe she's just uncomfortable because she is quilling or because she's tired. Interpret her hissing as "Jeez Louise me don't feel so gewd, my quills hurrrrt *huffhuff*" as opposed to "Let me be, I don't want yeww!"
And yes do NOT give in to her hissing. If you do she may just always do it because she'll think it keeps peeps away from her. Keep talking to her, handling her, lay her on your belly to snuggle covered with fleece. It will get better <3
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