Content

• Steps
• Advice

Hedgehogs are known for their distinctive noses, round ears, and spiky feathers. They are great pets, but before you can get along with your pet hedgehog, you need to tame it first. Taming is the process of training your hedgehog to feel comfortable around you. Luckily, there are many ways you can gain your hedgehog's trust and affection, such as getting it used to your smell, giving it a reward, and avoiding scare.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Get your hedgehog familiar with the owner

1. 

   Pick up your hedgehog every day to let it get used to your smell. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight, so they mainly rely on scent to distinguish humans from other animals. Once your hedgehog gets used to your smell, it will begin to recognize and feel comfortable in your presence.
   • To hold your hedgehog, gently cuddle your hand under the hedgehog's belly and lift it up, then either hold it in your hand or sit down and place it on your lap.
   • When taming, try to hold your hedgehog for at least 30 minutes a day.

2. 

   
   
   Avoid wearing protective gloves when handling your hedgehog. If you wear gloves, your hedgehog will be hard to spot and get used to your smell. Although hedgehogs have many spines, they are not sharp enough to hurt you, so you can safely hold it with your hand.
   • If you are still afraid of getting your hedgehog stabbed in your hand, you can wear gloves when lifting the hedgehog out of the cage. Then, remove your gloves and hold the hedgehog with your free hand when it becomes more comfortable.

3. 

   
   
   Put old clothes in your hedgehog cage. You can use any unwashed old shirt or pants. Doing so will make your hedgehog's cage smell you too, so the hedgehog will get used to that scent more quickly.
   • Make sure the clothes you put in your hedgehog's cage do not have loose zippers, buttons or strings to prevent them from injuring themselves.

4. 

   
   
   Avoid using scented products when taming your hedgehog. The key to taming is to get your hedgehog accustomed to your scent, so don't get confused by other fragrances such as scented soaps, shower gels, perfumes or hair products. Avoid these products until your hedgehog is comfortable with you.
   • When shopping for hygiene and beauty products, look for ones that say "fragrance-free" on the label.
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Method 2 of 3: Give your hedgehog treats

1. 

   Give your hedgehog a treat every time it relaxes. When the hedgehog is scared or threatened, it curls up like a ball. If your hedgehog is curled up and relaxed in your arms or thighs, then it feels safe and you should reward it for it. Gradually, your hedgehog will realize that being around you is not only safe, but also rewarding.
   • Keep the treat nearby when picking up your hedgehog so you can quickly grab and reward it.

2. 

   Give a reward that your hedgehog likes. This is one of the best ways to get your hedgehog to trust and love you. Hedgehogs are inherently insectivores, so foods such as dried crickets and flour worms are great rewards for tame them.
   • You can buy dried and powdered crickets online or at pet stores.
   • If you don't want to use crickets and worms, you can reward your hedgehog with some vegetables and fruits, such as corn, jujube, or carrots.

3. 

   Avoid rewarding your hedgehog too much. Hedgehogs are easily obese, so don't give them too much of a reward. Whenever you pick your hedgehog to tame your hedgehog, you should only reward it 2 to 3 times.
   • If your hedgehog seems to be gaining a lot of weight, lower the rewards.
   • When your hedgehog is overweight, you will still see your hedgehog's face, ears, and legs as it curls up.
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Method 3 of 3: Avoid frightening your hedgehog

1. 

   Don't let your hedgehog disappear in your shadow when you lift it. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight, so they are very sensitive to bright light and shade. When you lift your hedgehog, try not to let it disappear in your shadow to avoid scare it off. You need to make it feel as safe and calm as possible during the domestication.
   • To avoid obscuring your hedgehog, be sure to observe your surrounding light sources. For example, if you have a light near your hedgehog's cage, don't stand in front of the light bulb when you pick it up.

2. 

   Avoid making loud noises when handling your hedgehog. Like bright lights and shadows, hedgehogs are sensitive to loud noises. You need to avoid scaring your hedgehog while holding it, and try to keep everything as quiet as possible.
   • Avoid yelling, listening to loud music, slamming cabinets or doors, or dropping furniture while holding your hedgehog.

3. 

   Persevere when taming. The more hasty you are, the longer it will take to tame your hedgehog. Don't try to force it to notice you or it will be frightened and threatened. Instead, calm down and give your hedgehog enough time to get used to and adjust to your presence. Gradually, it will feel safe and wrap around you! advertisement

Advice

• If the hedgehog does not raise its thorns but loosens it up the length of the body, then it is very relaxed and relaxed.