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just some concerns and questions

1751 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  kristinmarissa
So I'm obviously new to this whole hedgehog thing, and kind of being neurotic about it, but I really want it to work out. So we (my boyfriend and I) have had Pasta Batman for over a month and a half, and she's about 8-10 months old. I just get worried because I'm not sure if she's happy or if she likes us. We try to let her out to run around the same time every night but the past few nights she's just hid under something and slept. She's also been a little more hissy lately. A few nights ago she was running around and we were sitting on the floor and she would come up to us and smell us happily (seeming) and crawl on us and stuff, but then the next few nights she wasn't so friendly. She doesn't really seem like she wants to be taken out and mostly she just sleeps all the time. I never see her in her cage unless she's eating, she's mostly sleeping or hiding under stuff. It seems as though maybe she used her wheel once, as we found a little bit of poop on it, but no more since then. Also I read on this forum about hedgehogs who will sleep on their owners or who like to be petted, but she doesn't really do that or seem very affectionate. :( For a month or so after we got her, she would sometimes nap on us but never anymore. And she won't sit still long enough to be held really. She's either running around or burrowing/hiding/sleeping and no in between.
We've done various things to socialize her: I put a shirt I had worn for a few days in her cage and she loves to sleep under it, we give her treats every time we take her out, before we let her run on the floor we sit w/ her on the couch and let her run around (always w/ the lights out), and we let her run around on the floor for an hour or so a night.
Sometimes I don't even know if she recognizes us as something other than just her surroundings. She barely interacts w/ us. :( I get so sad when I read posts about sweet, friendly, affectionate hedgehogs and wonder if she'll ever be like that. We got her at a pet store, so maybe that's a problem?
Anyway, I guess I'm just wondering if there's anything else we can do to further the bond or make her happier, or if we should just be resigned to the fact that she's not very affectionate. Or is she just acting like a normal hedgehog and I'm being overly worried? I'm used to cats, so maybe I'm expecting too much!
Sorry this is so long, I really appreciate any help and responses you can give!!
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In addition to the advice reptilegirl gave, try dimming or turning off the lights in the room(s) that you let her run around in. The reason she is so mute and huffy could be that she wants to get away from the light. My hedgie has what you could call lightphobia and immeditaly makes a run toward my bed where she spends most of her time under. I know it seems kinda dumb but it could actually affect her mood. This may be a useless tip but maybe feeding her treats will keep her in a better mood. Even in the light, my hedgie will kill for a mealworm...or an apple, or my finger...you get the point. It does usually put her in a more social mood...even if it is for a few seconds :lol: Also, don't feel bad about Pasta Batman being a little huffy ball. I don't like reading those "My hedgie has never huffed once in her life" stories either but they do give mesome encouragement. When I got Hot Dog, I was looking forward to a little, social sweet friend to cuddle with. But what did the petstore give me? A little huffy puffy prickly ball that still thinks my hand is a lethal weapon. But to this day, I still love her to pieces. Really, don't feel like your the only one out there with a hedgie like that. Never give up no matter how hopeless it seems. :)

Oh, and to reptile girl, I think she does mention something about having a wheel. :)
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I guess we both need some more sleep. That or an eye doctor. :D

Oh, and back to the question...KEEP US UPDATED!!! If something does end up working, I'm sure I lot of people would want to know. Not that your question isn't important, but I see a lot of questions like yours that get great answers but u never hear if they work. You could be 1 in a million!!!
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