[thelostsock]

Hi all. I searched for this with no luck so any advice could help.

I understand that dropping hedgies or them falling can result to very serious injuries. Mt question is concerning handling them and how tight is too tight. I try to use my judgment and common sense but in situations such as clipping toenails and putting Vaseline on his ears I sometimes get spooked that I could hurt him. He doesn't cry or scream when I am handling him during these tough situations but I also know that when hedgies fall and hurt themselves internally they will often continue on as business as usual. My concern is mainly that i need to get his hygenic care done but I do not want to hurt him in the process.

What are your experiences or comments? How fragile are hedgies?

Thank you.

 

[gyaku]

It depends on ur hedgehog, usually if they start squealing its too tight, I usually leave toe nail clipping to my vet. I usually let him rest in my hand like he is kind of rolled up, then gently wrap my fingers around him so he doesn't fall, since he loves his morning belly rubs. He even starts growling if he doesn't get them its so funny.

 

[smhufflepuff]

I'd do any kind of nail clipping or other hedgie-hygiene type thing while seated on the floor with hedgie in your lap so there isn't really anywhere hedgie could fall from/to.

You can help get your hedgie used to nail clippings so that it's less of a struggle by playing with his footsies whenever you have him out to play. Just touch and hold gently without clipping and if he struggles during footsie play time, don't worry, just let his foot go (it's supposed to be happy footsie time; not stressful footsie time) and give him a mealie for being so patient.

When it is actual clipping time, I think most of us don't always get every nail in one sitting. You might just get one tonight and declare that a success and try again tomorrow. It also seems that different hogs & their humans have different styles of clipping... some do it in super-man pose... others in a relaxed ball. Just find a position where hedgie will let you play with his feet and go with it.

I suppose that's a long-winded way of saying that I'd advise finding a way that you and hedgie could cooperate rather than struggling against each other.

 

[thelostsock]

Sorry for the confusion but my main question is holding hedgies and how tight is too tight. i am scared i might bruse him sometimes because he isnt a cuddler but an explorer so he hates being held still.

 

[LizardGirl]

If they are struggling, panicking, squealing, letting out "stress poos", then they are not happy with the way they are being held. I would just say just see how he's acting. If he seems uncomfortable or restrained, loosen up a little bit. Having a blanket on your lap to run around on helps.

As for actually breaking something, I would just avoid anything that would cause harm. I honestly won't go into comparing hedgie bones to other breakable objects. Grabbing a foot and holding on while hedgie tries to flee won't hurt him if you make sure not to twist or bend anything the wrong way.

Sorry, I hope that makes sense, haven't come across that question before.

 

[hedgielover]

I have a similar issue when clipping toe nails. Sometimes Quigley gets so upset by it that he tries to wrench his foot loose. When this happens I just let go so that he doesn't get hurt. I think it's like handling human babies (or tantruming toddlers). It's hard to know for sure but practice makes it easier.

The funny thing with Quigley is that I can play with his feet, hold them and whatever (to the point where I can pick poop out from under his nails and between his toes) but as soon as he sees those clippers he freaks out. Usually it's a two person job to cut his nails and even then we may only get a couple.