The number of people who…, There are a surprising number of hedgehog colors out there. It’s important to do a good job drying off your hedgehog after a bath because moisture can stick around in their spines and cause skin dryness. Is Aveeno unscented Oatmeal Body Wash okay for them? Hedgehogs with WHS will suffer a number of health problems, and … This is because they do not smell as bad as other pets. If you have someone helping you, have them warm up the towel with a hair dryer while you're finishing bath time. Once you’ve done this you can start gently rubbing it on your hedgehog. How to Bathe a Hedgehog. You must be careful not to overfill the bowl in which you will bathe your hedgehog; the water should be 1-2 cm deep at most, as otherwise it could drown. Jolanda Garnett. The foot bath process only takes a second and will keep them comfortable and healthy! And don’t forget to take every precaution to ensure a safe bathing experience for your hedgehog. We live in Jacksonville, Florida with our herd of hedgehogs that hovers around 20-25 hedgies depending on how many babies we have. This gas is responsible for the unpleasant stench … Your hedgehog will need to have food and water available at all times. Lather more shampoo to the furry underside of the hedgehog. This is a great way to bathe your hedgehog. When you see your hedgehog cheerfully splashing in the bath, take just one spoon amount of shampoo on to the toothbrush and make proper utilization of it. Gentle baby shampoo is the way to go. 2. Let’s start the steps one by one. Yes! This isn’t something you should do once a week just for the sake of consistency. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Once your hedgehog has unrolled from their ball allow them to explore your hands and lap at their own pace. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You can bathe your hedgehog in the sink, tub, or a separate wash basin. Once your hedgehog has unrolled from their ball allow them to explore your hands and lap at their own pace. Mealworms and crickets are the most commonly fed insects in captivity but the staple diet for a hedgehog should be a store-bought, specially formulated hedgehog kibble. Before knowing how to bathe a hedgehog, you need these cu> (Photo via: Pinterest) During the first days of a hedgehog at home, you will need special care. If you do hit the quick, apply a blood stopping powder, like Styptic powder, to the nail to stop the bleeding. ", http://hedgehogheadquarters.com/secure/bathing.htm, http://www.hamorhollow.com/2007/07/24/bathing-your-hedgehog/, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Carefully clean all … How do you bathe a hedgehog? Don't try to pet your hedgehog until they have relaxed. Let your hedgehog get comfortable with you on its own time. We prefer to do this in the sink because it’s a little easier to manage everything and control the temperature of the water your hedgehog is standing in. She also poops in the basin. Don’t force your hedgehog to give you attention or it will feel scared and threatened. This is due to the less amount of ammonia present in their urine and feces. To bathe your pet hedgehog, start by filling a sink or tub with 3 inches of warm water, and placing a non-slip mat in the bottom to keep your pet safe. HOw to make my hedgehog not raise it's spikes when I wash it? So you've got yourself a hedgehog that seems to need help. Hedgehog breeders are typically the best option, as you know exactly where your hedgehog is coming from and under what conditions the breeder has raised the hedgehog. Hedgehog bath time strikes dread into some hedgie owners. Place your hedgehog under the stream avoiding the face. Hedgehog grooming is important to keep up with your hedgehog's lifestyle. It's not uncommon for hedgehogs to hate bath time. This is where the bathing process will take place. There are 14 species of hedgehog in the world, but the British native hedgehog Erinaceus Europaeus is the one you might spot in your garden at night or at the side of a road. Reserve this treat for times when you are handling your hedgehog. By following some simple steps you’ll make the process a whole lot easier for both of you. There are also some hedgehogs that love bath time. By Katie McNeal March 15, 2017 ; Our in-depth step by step video tutorial is in the works. In fact, some hedgehogs love getting cleaned! To bathe the hedgehog, make sure they have not just woken up. The first thing to do if you are preparing to bathe your hedgehog, is to find a suitable container to use as his bath. Sand Boxes. A nice soft towel to dry them off is necessary. She is also a Member of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians since 2011. She received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 2010. How often should I bathe my hedgehog? A Full Cost & Price Breakdown, 2. Take some of the shampoo and lather it up in your hands a bit. While it’s not something you have to do frequently (hedgies are naturally pretty clean animals), neglecting it can lead to issues later on. Hedgehog baths should only be done when needed. Your hedgehog will probably decide quickly that being picked up is a good thing since they get rewarded for it. Put shampoo in your hands and gently rub your hedgehog. I do stress that you only consider bathing your Hedgy when they actually need a bath. Make sure you test the water and that it is warm- not HOT! ", instructions, I was able to give my little boy a successful bath! Like them or hate them, a bath is something that every hedgie must endure. Follow. The calmer your hedgehog is going into the bath time, the easier the process will be. Hedgehogs tend to get themselves filthy all the time, but it is highly recommended for a hedgehog to bathe only once a month. Like them or hate them, a bath is something that every hedgie must endure. This may lead to drying out their skins but to solve this issue you can try out a foot bath often as they tend to get their feet very dirty. We recommend the Aveeno oatmeal gentle wash below. A facial brush or soft toothbrush can be used with baby shampoo or dog shampoo to gently … Pay special attention to its feet and legs, as these are the areas that get dirtiest. Giving Your Hedgehog a Full Bath. This article has been viewed 65,661 times. Gently lower your pet hedgehog into the water, face up (you don’t want him to drown!) This works a lot better than trying to apply the shampoo onto them directly and rubbing it afterword. Approved. African hedgehogs, a variety commonly sold as pets, are at risk of a neurodegenerative condition known as Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS). You can use two towels – one wet and one dry, a brush, small pet shampoo/soap (optional), and a bucket or sink. There are health risks associated with not bathing your hedgehog, such as rashes. Remember that any unnecessary tugging can irritate the area where their skin and spines meet. Hedgehog bath time strikes dread into some hedgie owners. But until then here is a down and dirty list of step for bathing your hedgehog: In a bath tub or sink, get the water going at a warm temperature. It's not uncommon for hedgehogs to hate bath time. It is believed that if for instance, a cold spell of weather in spring brings about a shortage of natural food, a pregnant hedgehog will resume hibernation and the development of her embryos will slow down. Next, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub its quills and feet, making sure to go slowly and follow the direction of the quills. A relaxed hedgehog will lay down their spines. By the time you’re done reading it, you’ll be a pro!eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'hedgehogworld_com-box-3','ezslot_5',102,'0','0'])); It’s important to have the right supplies before you give your hedgehog a bath. They have sensitive skin and you don't want them to get burned. Once you’ve done this you can start gently rubbing it on your hedgehog. Even though the spines are sturdy, the skin underneath is not! There are also some hedgehogs that love bath time. How should I apply the body wash? This will be where your hedgehog stands during the bathing process to help them have traction and feel a little more comfortable. This will make him feel comfortable and encourage him to open up. Take a nice soft towel and gently dry them off. How should I convince them to? A hedgehog can go through his entire life without swimming or needing to swim, but given the chance, they will happily spend time in water. Start Bathing! This guide will show you how to bathe a hedgehog in a way that’s effective and easy. Hi,I'm thinking about getting a hedgehog, so I'm reading up on them as much as I can. It’s not something anyone…, A lot of owners are surprised to hear that you can train your hedgehog to use a litter…, Do hedgehogs bite? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 65,661 times. There are a number of advantages that buying from breeders can bring you that make the ownership process a lot easier. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The following information was posted by Teresa Johnson on Hedgehog_help yahoo group on Wednesday, June 20, 2001 in a discussion about “How often to bathe”. This will be your weapon of choice when it comes to giving your hedgehog a bath. If you’re one of the lucky owners with a hedgie who enjoys it, bathtime can be quite a fun experience. How to Bathe Your Hedgehog: Insert the drain plug and fill the sink with about 1.5 cups of lukewarm water (make sure the sink itself is clean first). Place The Washcloth On The Bottom Of The Sink, 3. Trust us, this step matters. The best way to approach bathing frequency is to keep an eye on them. While there are definitely some good breeders out there that don’t have this license yet, this is one of the most effective ways to ensure that you’re dealing with someone who’s trustworthy. This is a great way to bathe your hedgehog. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to dry your hedgehog, keep reading! If you notice his quills looking a little dirty, and he’s not able to clean them well himself, you will need to clean them. We recommend using an old bucket to bathe your hedgehog in along with a designated hedgehog towel and supplies. The vet will give you the right medication to treat it correctly. Let them have personal space, and just put the hedgehog on your lap. How to bathe a hedgehog! Take a toothbrush and gently brush his quills and feet to remove any tough dirt. Giving your hedgehog a bath is an important part of being a responsible owner. Encouraging your hedgehog to be self-grooming is also something that can help your house stay clean and safe. Thoroughly clean kitchen or bathroom sink with a mild soap (like Ivory dishsoap) and hot water, rinse thoroughly. If you do use your sink or bathtub, make sure you disinfect it afterwards. Hedgehogs are omnivores, so a combination of meat and produce is your pet’s ideal diet. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Hedgehogs are generally clean pets, but they sometimes require a bath. The procedure itself is relatively simple, and once they are used to it, hedgehogs can really enjoy playing in the water Hedgehogs can make great pets.