My Hedgehog Hates Me

It’s not unusual to hear new hedgehog owners be concerned that their hedgehog doesn’t like them. It’s important to remember that hedgehogs have not been domesticated for very long (just over two decades) as compared to most other critters in the pet trade, so a lot of “wild” behavior and fearfulness of new things  is not surprising. Even the friendliest of hedgehogs raise their quills sometime. If you own a hedgehog you WILL get poked.

To really enjoy hedgehogs, we have to sometimes make adjustments in our expectations. First, it isn't reasonable to expect that hedgehogs will seek out our company like a dog or cat. They just aren't wired that way. I have had a few who do that, but they are definitely in the minority. Some naturally friendly hedgehog babies become very cranky when they go through quilling (growing in adult quills)- which can take about one to four months to get done with. Some hedgehogs are just naturally cautious or fearful.

Please don't let this scare you off! Even shy hedgehogs have their strong points. It's not that they don’t like you, it’s that you scare them! It takes time to earn their trust and how they want to be interacted with.

One hedgehog that I had- a big guy named Dante who came from a breeder that I know worked with him a lot- came to me at age 1-1/2. He was so very shy that he almost never showed his face. The breeder repeatedly asked me, “Are you SURE you want him?” I had fallen in love with his description and meeting him, rolled tightly to try to scare me away, only made me feel more determined to understand what he might need. It took about a year of working together for Dante to finally relax. I figured he wanted space, so I let him free range on the hedgie room floor. I’d check to find him daily and talked calmly to him, making sure not to force myself on him. I didn’t expect a whole lot, but eventually he started coming out on his own when I was in the room. Then he got to where he would come out and climb on peoples’ feet if they were in the room and would come climb in my lap when I would sit on the floor. He never did like fast movements, but he liked to feel warm and safe, snuggled in my lap.

I’ve had other hedgehogs who, like Dante, did not like to be picked up. To help them get used to me, I started slowly by talking to them and just putting my hand in the cage. They slowly learned to tolerate my presence and eventually came over, ducking and huffing, to check my hand. Next I work toward getting them to let me touch their nose, then working toward scratching under their chins. They still roll into a ball if I try to pick them up, but I enjoy them because I know they trust and appreciate me. I think they do like me- they just don’t like being picked up.

Each hedgehog is unique and different. Those hedgehogs who are shy or afraid give us a challenge to find ways to interact that are enjoyable for both human and hedgie.

 
Antigone Means

Iola, KS

contact us

All information on this web site is copyright of Hedgehog Valley. You may view/print the web pages for your personal use. You may also provide a link to these pages without prior approval. No one is allowed to re-post the information from Hedgehog Valley Web Site, including pictures, to any other web site, without the approval of Hedgehog Valley. Copyright 2002

Last updated by Tig on  11/11/18