Sad Schöndorn. Hedgie does not like bath.

Hey there. This is a video I took to ask for help with bathing my scared hedgie. Please do understand that this is not something I do out of cruelty. (Though I know some people WILL. *sigh*).


Dorn is turning 2 this year. He is sadly very scared of water. I never force it on him besides the baths he sadly needs. Stinky Hedgies don't get snuggled. Please don't heap too much abuse on me. I KNOW he does not like these. Sadly, as they run on wheels and pee while running, they need baths now and then. The water looks a bit milky today because it was quite a bit frothy. I guess they treated the water again today.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Hedgehog
• bath

[ChrisSunHwa]

Oh, I see. Judging from his behavior, I don't believe he is afraid, only that he doesn't care for baths. His movements are not frantic, so don't feel guilty:)

[WishStone]

Ah. So he might just not like water in general. I can deal with that, as long as he is comfortable. Sadly I doubt there is a way around bathing, he has to have his feet cleaned after all, and his tummy in general. Poor him. :)

[AdaliaGlenys]

Definitely get him some floating toys to shove around, especially something about his own size like a rubber duck. Brag on him, tell him you're proud of him; let him know that you're watching and think he's amazing. It really will help, given time, to teach him to like water. Make it part of the routine to snuggle him in a towel and give him a special treat every time he has a bath or a swim. That will help his attitude by giving him something to look forward to.

[Flubbergup]

@WishStone What wheel? I wish mine would stop getting his wheel dirty! :(

[WishStone]

Interesting... After his bath all I need to do is use an old soft t-shirt and rub his feet gently. (NOT towels, I used to have rats, the loops of a normal towel are claw-traps...)

I have an awesome wheel for him, so we hardly ever have the dreaded "Poopie-Boots".

[AdaliaGlenys]

The only thing that worries me about that is the possibility that he might get his claws caught and torn. We generally use a soft-bristle tooth brush on the feet.

[whitedime]

i bought a small section of astoturf and put some baby shampoo on it, and then put it under water and drag him across it, it will clean his feet very easily without discomfort.

[ChrisSunHwa]

Yeah, AdaliaGlenys is probably right that it's not a matter of dislike and that he just needs something to play with:)

[WishStone]

Okay. Seems like I may have made it worse myself then by being overly cautious from what you say and describe. I'll throw in some bigger floatie things. It may very well be that he is either bored or needs some more distraction. :)

Thank you SO much for having a peek. It makes me feel better to have someone else check him out as well. *tickles towel-hedgie*

[AdaliaGlenys]

They tend to like to push around things that are larger than they are. If you watch my video of Kechara, you'll notice she focused most of her attention on the rubber duck and the largest whale. I wouldn't worry about the clinging. He's most likely feeling a little unsure in an unfamiliar situation. Once he gets used to the experience and learns what to expect, he should become more confident.

[WishStone]

Okay, thanks you two. :)

I may have misunderstood his behaviors. His 'clinging to me' worries me a bit, he seems so desperate to get out Adalia: I'll see if I can find some rubber duckies or something. Do you think smaller then him is better, or should I aim for Hedgie's own size more?