[AngieBotha]

We rescued an albino Hedgehog when he was still very young, we knew nothing about Hedgehogs at the time so I googled the basics very fast. He was VERY scared at first. He never came out of his ball for the first week or so, but that seemed to be normal considering the change in environment and all. He enjoyed eating cat pellets from day 1 but when I tried to get him proper Hedgehog food and meal worms and a mixture of insects, he refused to touch any of it! He only wants the cat pellets and water. I take him out of his cage 2 - 3 times a day and he is definitely a lot more comfortable coming out of his ball now than what he was before. I have had him for about 5 months now and I guess he was around 3 - 4 months old when we found him. When I pick him up, he stands on my hand but covers his face. If I talk to him in a soft voice, he uncovers his eyes and looks around. As soon as I put him down he runs for the nearest dark corner or pillow or blanket! Whatever he can hide under! My Hedgehog is EXTREMELY scared! When he eats cat pellets and they crack, he scares himself!
He does relax and appear more tame when I speak to him softly. What is going on with him? Why is he so scared? Why doesn't he eat Hedgehogs food?? Scrambled eggs, veggies, insects, soft cat/dog food, I've tried a variety of different things, he still won't eat anything other than his cat pellets. He always seem to be sleeping. The only time he comes out of his ball on his own, is to eat or to poop. When I take him out of his cage, he doesn't investigate and get to know his surroundings, all he ever does is to hide and sleep! What can I do to tame him more?

 

[Stiles]

We rescued an albino Hedgehog when he was still very young, we knew nothing about Hedgehogs at the time so I googled the basics very fast. He was VERY scared at first. He never came out of his ball for the first week or so, but that seemed to be normal considering the change in environment and all. He enjoyed eating cat pellets from day 1 but when I tried to get him proper Hedgehog food and meal worms and a mixture of insects, he refused to touch any of it! He only wants the cat pellets and water. I take him out of his cage 2 - 3 times a day and he is definitely a lot more comfortable coming out of his ball now than what he was before. I have had him for about 5 months now and I guess he was around 3 - 4 months old when we found him. When I pick him up, he stands on my hand but covers his face. If I talk to him in a soft voice, he uncovers his eyes and looks around. As soon as I put him down he runs for the nearest dark corner or pillow or blanket! Whatever he can hide under! My Hedgehog is EXTREMELY scared! When he eats cat pellets and they crack, he scares himself!
He does relax and appear more tame when I speak to him softly. What is going on with him? Why is he so scared? Why doesn't he eat Hedgehogs food?? Scrambled eggs, veggies, insects, soft cat/dog food, I've tried a variety of different things, he still won't eat anything other than his cat pellets. He always seem to be sleeping. The only time he comes out of his ball on his own, is to eat or to poop. When I take him out of his cage, he doesn't investigate and get to know his surroundings, all he ever does is to hide and sleep! What can I do to tame him more?

Let him sleep in a snuggle sack on your lap. Bonding with him while he feels safe is a great way to build trust.

 

[AngieBotha]

Let him sleep in a snuggle sack on your lap. Bonding with him while he feels safe is a great way to build trust.

Thanks, will definitely try that. I've had him on my lap a few times, in his blanket but he always run away to try and find a hiding spot but maybe I must do it more often.

 

[Stiles]

Thanks, will definitely try that. I've had him on my lap a few times, in his blanket but he always run away to try and find a hiding spot but maybe I must do it more often.

Yes do it every night while watching tv 🦔❤

 

[shinydistraction]

Your hedgehogs behavior sounds perfectly normal. They are defensive creatures by nature, so hiding, balling up, these are just things that they do. However, you said you take him out 2 to 3 times a day? Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals and don't want to be out during the day. That's when they sleep. Try taking your hedgehog out just once each day in the evening and keep him out with you for a while in a low lit room. They are great tv buddies. Many are happy just to nap in your lap in a blanket. Working with his natural schedule should yield you better results.

 

[AngieBotha]

Thank you for the advice. I meant to say I take him out 2 - 3 times between 18h00 - 23h00. I normally feed him when I get back from work at 18h00 (he eats from my hand) and then I put him back in his enclosure until around 20h00 then we chill infront of the TV a bit on a blanky but just for 30 min or so then I take him out again around 23h00 before I go to bed, to run around on my bed (with low light setting) while I get ready for bed and while I drink my last coffee. Is that too much? I talk to him so much, he knows my voice and Kalis down to the sound of it. As long as I'm kalm then so will he be. I've seen videos of other Hedgehogs that are a lot more comfortable and open, I just need to know what to do to give him a sense of security and reassurance so that he will open up and atleast explore around my bed or around the room when I do let him out, instead of always diving for the nearest blanket or pillow! Thanks for the advice.

 

[shinydistraction]

It might be too much to take him out and put him back several times a day. Try just keeping him out for one stretch in the evening. Generally, I do food changes and spot cleaning of the cage before getting her out for the night. Then I can just put her away and let her go about her hedgehog business.

Talking to him is great. Keep doing that. It's good you notice your behavior affects his. If you're calm, he will be too. But with hedgehogs, it all comes down to time. You can't rush it. If you're patient and persistent over time he'll start trusting you. Just enjoy the little victories along the way.

 

[jwngr]

This sounds so familiar My ****** was the same way, got him at 3 months old as well and he seemed so scared most of the time. He did NOT like meal worms at all and seemed to only like his cat food. He did like some of his food mashed up mixed with water, I called it his goulash. He seemed to know that when I'd mentioned it to him (lol). He did get more relaxed over time, it seemed like 2 years before he would even look at me. I recently lost him to Cancer, I really miss him and I'll never forget ****** Blue. I'm sure your Hedgy will come around and love being with you.