[FriskChara]

I've had both my Hedgies for over a year now. They will both sleep on me. (under my shirt and everything) I was told using a shirt that I have worn for a day as bedding helps, but I have been doing that since I've gotten them.
When I first got them, they were very social and never hissed or curled up. Because of this cranky behavior, it takes DAYS to cut all of their nails. I can do about 7 and have to stop for the day since they get overwhelmed. What am I doing wrong? What can I do?

 

[Ria]

Cutting 7 nails in one sitting is an absolutely amazing achievement and most would love it if they could do that.
Cutting nails is hard regardless of a cranky hedgehog !! Most hogs become very cranky when it comes to nail cutting.

So you had a bond with them ?? And then they have become cranky ?? Or are they only like this when cutting nails ??

 

[FriskChara]

I think I still have a decent bond with them. It is just that they were much more cuddly when I first got them. Now, they will snuggle with me for a while, but they start hissing if I touch them or pick them up from any surface. Chara (the female) will even hiss if she is still in her cage and I am walking by. She will let me pet her if she is under a blanket and my hand is on top. It takes a couple of tries, but we get there. Frisk (the male) is the sleeper. Sometimes, if he is comfortable enough on me, he will let me rub his legs a little. He used to bite a lot in the beginning. I just wanted to see if I could do more to help the bond.

 

[Ria]

To be honest it sounds pretty normal. All hedgehogs will huff and hiss when you go and wake them up or even just take them out, although bringing treats can help with calming them faster.

I also talk to Holly when I enter the room to get her and go really slowly so that she doesn't huff as much, scoop her up and as soon as she knows she's in my hands she uses my arms as like a bridge and trots down to my chest to cuddle. She's not a huge fan if treats so with her treats dont always work.

Holly is super cuddly too, someone told me when she gets to a tear old that will change. Shes a year old now and its not changed. She doesnt always like her back being stroked, and sometimes can be a little jumpy and hiss a little when I start, but if I keep doing it for a short while and talk calmly to her she relaxes and then just lets me stroke me. Though there are times she wont so I just stop, and when she was quilling she hated anyone touching her back too much so I didn't do it often

I also think that some do become less cuddly sometimes. But most don't tend to be very cuddly.

If Holly knows theres no nail cutting stuff out then I get to play with her feet. Otherwise she hates its.