Hedgehog World - A community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders - Re:Bath Advice?

Main Menu

Home

Banners

- - - - - - -

- - - - - - -

- - - - - - -

Search

Home

Hedgehog Forums

Hedgehog World Forum

home | post reply | threaded view | PDF | help

Boardwalk :: Forum List

Health, Hygiene, and Anatomy

Bathing and Grooming

HarleyHog

User

Posts: 273

Bath Advice? - 2006/05/26 04:30 I had to give my Harley a bath today because she made quite the mess of herself last night in her wheel. It was going pretty well until have way through the bathing-fest I was picking her up a little to wash her under carriage and she chomped down on my finger.

OUCH! She broke the skin but didn't draw any blood. I didn't let her go and finished the bath as planned. Shes such a sweet girl but she hates baths!

Last time after I gave her a bath for dry skin, the next day, I got a formal chomp down on my finger. She holds a grudge! I never have any problems with her unless its a bath.

Any advice for bathing a hedgie that hates them? I always make sure to hold her after a bite and I reward her too with mealies when its over. Self proclaimed Hedgehog Addict
My hedgehogs: Harley, Eggnog, Splenda, Freddie, Asti, Illusion, Milkshake, Oreo, Kodak, Scrambled, Eggstatic, Perplexed, Ecstasi, Ichabod & Sir Dublin Mudslide. *RIP* Skidplate 02/26/07

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

hedgielove
User

Posts: 37

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/05/26 06:25 I haven't found a way to make bath time that enjoyable, so I just make it quick.. lol. It's problly not much help, but I'd just make the bath as quick as possible and watch out for your fingers. One of my little girls likes to bite if she's frusterated, which happens quite easily and I just have learned to keep my fingers out of chomping distance, haha. When my hedgies have to actually swim in the tub they're so preoccupied with staying afloat that they don't even have a chance to nip.. maybe you could try that? Good Luck!!!

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

bygmike
User

Posts: 13

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/06/06 21:31 my little guy loves his baths. what i did at first as to not shock him was to drip water on him and let him get moist to get used to the water on him. he seemed to enjoy this very much. now what i do is place him in a special tub i use that i clean every time and i fill it with enough water to were he can swim. its very difficult to get him out. i am a new owner but just like gettin ur hedgie used to you ide say slowly let him/her adjust to the baths. but like i said i am a new-er owner so others might have better information.

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

herbiesmom

User

Posts: 488

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/06/21 02:31 I just gave Herbie his first bath and he hates it too. He spent all of his time swimming to the side and trying to climb out. He did not bite me but is now popping and hissing at me everytime I go near him. He has not popped at me in weeks. Oh boy, grouchy little thing he is!

Cyn and Hedgie Boys

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

4hedgies
User

Posts: 71

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/06/21 17:33 I have found over the years that I have a tendancy to bathe the lighter hedgies more often. I think because I see the dirt more. These hedgies over time learn to just tolerate a bath. I usually set my hedgies in a deep utility sink and have s mall trickle of water going. The sink fills and they get used to this as the water gets deeper. It is a gradual thing so as not to shock them. The utility sink is deep so they cannot get out out. I also have found that after a bath they are much more calm. I have even given a huffy hedgehog a bath just so he would open up. They seem to think you have rescued them from the water so most of mine will snuggle for a while wrapped up in a towel.
Nancy

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

herbiesmom

User

Posts: 488

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/06/22 18:20 Well, I have to say Herbie snuggled in a towel for about 40 minutes after his bath. But for the entire night and yesterday all day, he popped and hissed if I even walked near his cage. Poor little guy. I think he thinks I tried to drown him. Today, he let me pet him when he woke up for a few minutes and was looking at me and chirping when I cleaned Snowball's wheel in the cage next door. Maybe he is getting over it? One would hope. Cyn and Hedgie Boys

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

CThogs

Admin

Posts: 1559

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/06/22 18:28 Bribery with mealworms may work-then he may associate the bath with something good. But don't count on it-none of ours like baths. If we're lucky they will think we're rescuing them from the bath and not figure out we're the ones putting them in to begin with. Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs

We had a great time at Hedgehog Fest 2008!!!

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

herbiesmom

User

Posts: 488

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/07/24 02:37 Both of my boys had a bath two days ago and they both cuddled nicely afterwards but hissed and popped the next time I got them out of the cage. They hold grudges the little buggers. Mealies were given and they put their quills down long enough to eat them and that was that. I have decided baths just need to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Cyn and Hedgie Boys

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

sabrina
User

Posts: 26

Re:Bath Advice? - 2006/08/13 05:13 I have had no problem with bathing, she swims around and of course is attracted towards the side ou the sink and is now tall enough to climb out but i think the thing is to let the get used to bathing and to make them realise its not that bad, im spilled with my hedgie though she never bites and i can even open her mouth if i want to chek out her teeth, i find persistence is the best and dont let them win.

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

Boardwalk :: Forum List Health, Hygiene, and Anatomy Bathing and Grooming

Joomlaboard Forum Component 1.1.3 Stable
Two Shoes M-Factory