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New hedgie: to bathe or not to bathe?
A common question from new owners is: should I bathe my hedgie soon after I get him/her?
The answer: does the hedgie stink?
If the hedgie is obviously dirty or has a smell,you may want to bathe in the first week. Otherwise, there is no need, as it can cause undue stress. If possible, wait at least 2-3 days after getting the new little one to even try bathing. When you do, test the water temperature and follow the steps given below.
To test water temperature
It is VERY IMPORTANT to run the water BEFORE you put your hedgie in. You should never have tap water running while the hedgie is in the bath.
If the water is too hot it can burn your hedgie, just like it would a baby. This is why it is important to test the water first.
Do not test with your hand. Put your wrist or elbow into the water. If it feels slightly warm and is not uncomfortable, it should be fine for hedgie. If you're not sure, use a thermometer (it should be about 93 degrees). There are also baby safe disks on the market if you'd like to invest in one of those (located on Amazon also).
I cannot stress enough how important it is to test water temperature. There have been two cases in a six month span that I am aware of where the hedgie has been burned so badly it has blistered their feet and they've had to have emergency vet care--one of those did not survive the burns.
ALWAYS CHECK THE WATER TEMPERATURE BEFORE PUTTING YOUR HEDGIE IN!
Types of baths covered below:
There are a few different types of baths that can be given, depending upon the situation. Here is a list of the types covered below for quick reference; you can decide how best to proceed in your situation. Scroll down to each heading to read about the different types.
Full bath (including a section for full bath during quilling)
PLEASE NOTE: Do NOT use anything to do with Tea Tree Oil when it comes to your hedgie. This includes shampoo at bathtime. Tea tree oil ANYTHING is toxic to your hedgie and can cause death.
Bath materials: (top left to bottom) pitcher/bowl with warm rinse water, collodial oatmeal bath powder, flax seed capsules for rinse, pin or lancet to open capsule, cup to pour water, toothbrush to scrub
Materials:
Container for water
Pitcher with warm water
Oatmeal bath or unscented oatmeal shampoo
Cup for pouring water
Toothbrush
Flaxseed oil, vitamin E oil, olive oil
Run 1-2 inches of warm water into a sink or the tub (or in a foot pan type container...basically anything that holds water and won't hurt hedgie). (As stated above in "To test water temperature" above: Be sure you check the temperature before you have the hedgie anywhere near it, as if the water is too hot it can cause burns. And never have the tap water running while the hedgie is in the bath.) Once you're sure the temperature is okay, place the hedgie into the water. (I try to keep Quentin's face elevated when I put him in so he doesn't sniff water up his nose.)
Quentin getting oatmeal water poured over his back as a first rinse.
Usually you can just use plain water and pour it over the hedgie as a rinse (using a cup, NOT the tap). Try to avoid getting water in the face! If they're really dirty, however, you can use a moisturizing shampoo and a toothbrush to scrub them clean. (The toothbrush should only have come into contact with toothpaste at the most; household cleaners can be toxic to hedgies.) Aveeno unscented Oatmeal Body Wash is a favorite among hedgie owners. Cat shampoos are usually pretty safe as well, since they're non-toxic because cats are constantly licking themselves. Avoid human baby shampoos, though, as they will dry out the skin easily.
To wash the belly, reach underneath the hedgie gently and run your fingers over the tummy to clean the fur. (Do NOT turn the hedgie over in the water to rub its belly.)
Rinse the shampoo off using the cup. Use the water in the bowl or pitcher (that is also the appropriate temperature) to dip/pour out for rinsing.
On the final rinse, you can add a couple of drops of vitamin E oil, Flax seed oil, or olive oil. These all help moisturize skin to prevent dryness.
Dry the hedgie off completely with a towel, then wrap him/her up and snuggle until they're dry to keep them from getting cold. While snuggling, if you notice the towel/snuggle sack is wet after a few minutes then change it to keep your hedgie from discomfort (you'll need at least two towels because the first will get soaked--they get a lot more water on them than it looks like they ever could!) Do NOT put the hedgie back in the cage still wet. And also, do NOT take your hedgie outside after a bath, even if it's warm outside.
Most hedgehogs only need a bath once a month, depending on how dirty he/she gets. Too much bathing can dry out skin. If your hedgie gets totally dirty by anointing something all over, by all means go ahead and give a bath. However, keep in mind that bathing daily or more often than every 2-3 weeks can cause dry skin.
For a full bath during quilling: Use Aveeno Oatmeal bath (I just bought a packet of the powder you mix into the water for while mine was quilling; look for collodial oatmeal). If you can't find Oatmeal bath, try putting a handful of old fashioned oatmeal into a sock or cloth and then swishing it around through the water.
Put 1-2 inches of warm water into the bathing area.
Put the hedgie in, give him/her a few seconds to figure out what's going on and play around, then take a cup and gently pour water over their back. Be sure not to pour it over the face or too close to the visor quills.
Do that a couple of times, let the hedgie walk around for minute or two, then take them out and dry them off with a towel. Be sure the hedgie is dried COMPLETELY before you put them back in the cage. This is a great time for snuggle attempts. ;)
The oatmeal is soothing for the skin and helps the new quills come through. But don't do it every day, just maybe once or twice a week during quilling, because hedgies get dry skin really easily from too much bathing.
Hedgie shower
If your hedgehog is obviously nervous and yet in need of a bath or is obviously scared of being in water, there is a "shower" technique you can use instead of a full bath.
Materials:
- Warm water (appropriate temperature)
- Dipping cup (a yogurt cup or something similar works well; make sure it's plastic and lightweight so no harm is done if it's dropped)
- Towel for in sink (without loops); optional
- Towel for drying (also without loops)
Method:
Place your hedgie in the sink (use a sink so water can drain out and not puddle up around him/her). For better footing, you can put a towel (or perhaps a piece of fleece, even) down in the sink. Fill a pitcher or container with the warm water. Use the dipping cup to take water out of the container and slowly pour it over the hedgie's back; avoid getting water in the face. Repeat this a few times until your hedgie seems cleaner.
Thoroughly dry your hedgie before putting him/her back in the cage.
Do NOT use running tap water for this shower. The chance of the water temperature changing and scalding your hedgie is much too high to risk it. Use only water of appropriate temperature from a container.
Foot Bath
Full baths given too often can dry out the skin, but there will be times your hedgie will just need to have its feet cleaned. How can you do this without a full bath? There are two ways.
1. Fill a shallow pan with about 1/2 an inch of warm water then just let the hedgie walk around in it.
2. Thoroughly soak a towel/washcloth with water and let the hedgie walk over it. (Be sure you don't leave the hedgie alone at all though, because towel loops are generally not safe for hedgie feet/toenails.)
You don't need any soap for either of these, and hedgie feet should be sparkly clean afterward.
