[pixiedreamer]

So I got my baby boy at 10:30 this morning and got back home at 12:30 this afternoon when I went to take him out of the carrier to place him in his cage, he startled me when he hissed and puffed and me :/ i managed to get him in his cage safely but have left him alone since.

I did actually check on him to make sure he was warm enough, and surely he was I talked to him quietly through his cage then just left hime alone some more.

Well my biggest question is, should I hole him and interact with him yet? If so, how should I pick him up and how long should I keep him out? I'm thinking just a few minutes each night until he gets more used to me, but I want your guys' opinions

I'm the over protective type when it comes to my fur-babies, so I'm really stressing myself out over this

I know you guys will help me, as you have been for a while now

I don't think I can thank you all enough <3<3 <3<3 <3<3

 

[Immortalia]

For tonight, personally, I would leave him be and give him the time to explore his new home, on his own.

As for picking up, I have it simple because my boy only sleeps in a folded fleece blanket. So I'll just pick up the entire blanket along with him inside. Then I'll put that on the ground, and "open" the blanket up, allow him a chance to wake up and know it's me, then I'll transfer him to the "cuddle fleece". My boy's a sleeper, so I'll usually just have him on top of a piece of fleece and that's how I'll carry him around.
Because I'm using a normal pet store small animal cage, this makes it easier for me to take him out through the opening at the front, since I normally have to reach in there with my arm.

 

[pixiedreamer]

Mmkay I shall leave him be then

and his house is the end of the box of a 12 pack of pop (cardboard box) so how would I get him out

Or if he's balled up how would I pick him up?? Wrap fleece around him and scoop him up?? I don't want to wear gloves to do it, so any other suggestions?


Thanks for replying so fast too!

 

[Immortalia]

Since it's suggested to have a (worn) shirt in there as well, you can use that to gently wrap around him if he's balled up, and pick him up that way.

Also...Is there a bottom to the box? Cause otherwise, you can just pick up the entire box! :lol: I did that when my boy had his "digging" kleenex box, cause usually, he'll end up falling asleep in there. So then I'd just pick up the entire box.

 

[cutietexan]

when i first got my hedgie i was really scared to pick him up too. all you have to do is hold a fleece blanket or strip or something, and scoop him up from the bottom. they normally will stop hissing after you pick them up. you will get used to it, eventually

 

[pixiedreamer]

The box does have a bottom so maybe once he's unballed he'll crawl out onto me?


And I will deffiently try the fleece thing, cause that seems the easiest way


I'm so excited! I just know having this little guy will change my life

 

[jopenguin]

Ender (and now Calvin) sleeps in his hedgie bag (most of the time). When he's in the bag, its really great b/c I just pick him up and cuddle him in the bag. If he's under the bag, I put a towel over him and scoop him up. He's usually huffing at me until he realizes its the crazy human.

If he's in the bag and I need to change it, I tend to gently roll him out onto a towel. I'll give him a bit to realize where he is and who I am before picking him up with a towel or showing him a new hedgie bag to crawl into.

 

[smhufflepuff]

Probably easiest to pick up the box at whatever time you intend to pick him up in the evenings (remembering that hedgies do well when they have a predictable schedule), then sit with hedgie in the box as you talk or sing softly... then reach inside the box and just let your hand be there... not grabbing or petting... just sitting there so that hedgie can get more of your scent. If you're lucky, hedgie will investigate. Based on how your little one is reacting, you'll know what to do - ie, picking up or letting him just sniff you in his box tonight [or tomorrow night].

In the future, you'll want to pick him up... if you leave a blankey or fleece strips for him in his house, those might be helpful in the picking-up process.

And, of course, remember to wash your hands with an unscented soap first.

Oh... and have some hedgie wipes ready in case someone decides it's time to make a poopy

 

[Morel3etterness]

I would just tell you to let him sniff your hand the first day or two and I encourage you to pick him up. The huffing and jump startles everyone. Use a face cloth (dry obviously) to pick him up at first. Then keep him on your lap all the time and pet him once he is relaxed =)