The top priority for any hedgehog owner should be to keep their pet clean, safe, and healthy. To achieve this goal, it is essential to learn how to effectively and safely bathe a hedgehog. This is why learning the proper techniques and using the correct tools when bathing a hedgehog is really important. Hedgehogs are not the easiest pets to bathe, so being aware of the necessary steps and tools can make the task much more manageable.
What To Do Before Bathing A Hedgehog
Ensure your hedgehog is comfortable with you before you try to bathe it. Though baths are essential, they shouldn’t be the number one stuff on a new hedgehog owner’s to-do list. Hedgehogs don’t enjoy baths all that much and are not big fans of water. They are also naturally skittish and are usually wary of new activities, animals, and places. So getting your hedgehog comfortable with you first before attempting to bathe it should be your number one priority. Take your time to learn the proper ways to pick up and handle a hedgehog before you even think about getting it wet.
Do Hedgehogs Need Baths?
Bathing hedgehogs is necessary to keep them clean and healthy. Hedgehogs can become dirty and smelly if they are not kept clean. This can lead to skin problems, infections, and illnesses. Bathing them efficiently helps remove the dirt and debris on their body, keeping them clean, smelling fresh, and reducing the likelihood of parasites such as mites and fleas.
Despite the apparent advantages of bathing hedgehogs, it’s important to remember that hedgehogs are not like other pets and don’t require frequent bathing. This is because hedgehogs have naturally dry skin, and overbathing them will remove the natural oils in their skin, causing their skin to get dry and irritated.
Using the right supplies can help alleviate this issue. You can add a couple of drops of vitamin E, olive, or coconut oil to your hedgehog’s bathwater to increase its skin’s moisture. If your hedgehog has dry skin, you can also give it an oatmeal bath instead of a water bath.
Getting The Right Supplies
Make sure you have all the necessary supplies before bathing your hedgehog. Having the right supplies when bathing a hedgehog is crucial to ensure its safety, comfort, and well-being. Hedgehogs are sensitive creatures, and using the wrong supplies can cause harm, stress, or injury.
Having everything ready before you begin can simplify the process and guarantee that you do the job correctly.
Container, Bathtub, or Sink
The first step should be finding an appropriate container to serve as your hedgehog’s bath. You don’t need an excessively large or small container to bathe a hedgehog safely and efficiently. So feel free to use any plastic container, bathtub, or sink. If you decide to use a container, make sure it is sturdy so it doesn’t get toppled when you start bathing your hedgehog in it. Also, it’s best to use an average-sized container so your hedgehog has space to swim and prat around. Nevertheless, it’s best to use a sink for bathing hedgehogs. Sinks are a convenient option as they are typically a suitable size for a hedgehog, have an available water source, and make it easy to regulate the temperature of the water.
Just ensure you thoroughly clean up whatever you decide to use before you place your hedgehog in. Make sure whatever cleaning products you use for this process are also harmless to hedgehogs.
Body Wash or Soap
It is important to use a body wash or soap that is specifically formulated and safe for hedgehogs when bathing them. Hedgehogs have sensitive skin, so using the wrong shampoo or soap can cause skin irritation, dryness, or allergic reactions. Nevertheless, you can also use regular pet bath shampoo or soap to bathe your hedgehog if you want. Just ensure you check the ingredients first to be sure there are no essential oils, avocado oil, or tea tree oil in there. Some of these essential oils and other components of soaps and shampoos can easily harm hedgehogs.
It’s best to also avoid anything with fragrances or harsh chemicals when selecting a body wash or soap for your hedgehog. It’s best to go for an odorless body wash or soap in case your hedgehog doesn’t like the scent. Hedgehogs have a strong sense of smell and hate strong-smelling fragrances. So it’s always a good idea to go for an odorless soap so you don’t waste your money.
Sponge And A Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
It is recommended to use a specialized toothbrush with soft bristles to effectively remove any dirt that may have accumulated on your hedgehog. You can also use a nail brush, a baby brush, or a soft sponge if that is your preferred method. Just remember that hedgehog quills are pretty pointy, so you have to be careful when scrubbing them so you don’t get pricked.
Using the wrong tool can also injure your hedgehog. So ensure whatever brush or sponge you pick isn’t too hard. Dirt, such as dry skin flakes and poop, frequently gets trapped between hedgehogs’ quills. That’s why it’s best to always use a soft-bristled brush since it can easily scrub between the quills.
Washcloth Or Sink Mat
It is recommended to place a washcloth or rubber sink mat at the bottom of the sink, bathtub, or container you are using. This simple step can significantly reduce the likelihood of water entering your hedgehog’s nose. The washcloth or mat also acts as a base for hedgehogs to stand on during bath time. So ensure the cloth does not have any holes. Your hedgehog’s feet and quills may become entangled if the washcloth has holes. This will make the bathing process a whole lot more unpleasant and difficult.
In addition, you can also use the washcloth to gently clean your hedgehog’s more delicate areas, such as its backside and belly. Just ensure that the washcloth is clean.
Soft Towel
Hedgehogs are extremely sensitive to temperature, so make sure you dry your hedgehog after you take it out of the water. You can use any soft clean towel to do this.
How To Bathe A Hedgehog
Bathing a hedgehog doesn’t necessarily have to be a struggle. You just need to make your hedgehog used to you first. Getting a hedgehog to get used to you takes time and patience. Also, bathing a hedgehog only gets easier the more you do it. So don’t get too hard on yourself if you don’t get it right the first few times.
Just ensure you follow the steps below once you’ve got all your supplies ready to make the process easier.
How To Scrub A Hedgehog
It’s best to slowly guide hedgehogs into the water when its time to bathe them. It’s a bad idea to startle them by dropping them or throwing them into the water. Make sure you’re also with your hedgehog throughout the bathing process.
Squirt a little bit of bath wash, soap, or shampoo into your hand, and then lather the water while your hedgehog is in it. You should carefully apply some of the soap on your hedgehog’s feet, belly, and back. Gently rub the soap on these parts while avoiding its mouth, nose, ears, and eyes. Soap should not touch these parts because it can irritate and harm them. These parts can also quickly become irritated or even damaged by exposure to harsh soaps or detergents. These substances can cause stinging, burning, or other uncomfortable sensations, and in severe cases, they may even lead to inflammation, infection, or injury. So its really important that you’re careful about this.
Next, take the toothbrush and gently scrub your hedgehog’s tummy, quills, and feet. Make sure you take your sweet time while cleaning the quills and between them. It’s important to also clean the quills in the direction of the grain since doing it this way is much more comfortable for the hedgehog.
How To Rinse A Hedgehog
Scoop up some warm water from the bath with a tiny container and pour it on your hedgehog’s body while avoiding the delicate areas like the eyes, nose, and mouth. Repeat this until all the soap on your hedgehog’s body has been rinsed.
How To Dry A Hedgehog After A Bath
Carefully take your hedgehog from the bath and wrap it in a warm towel once you’re done. Towels made of microfiber and microfleece work exceptionally well in absorbing moisture, so you should use any of those if you can. Just make sure whatever towel you choose is clean.
What To Do When A Hedgehog Doesn’t Want To Take A Bath
Some hedgehogs don’t really like having their baths or even getting in water compared to others. They may make bath time a bit of a hassle, no matter how hard you try to make it a fun experience. You can give these hedgehogs some yummy treats to eat when they are getting restless while bathing them. Doing this usually helps in settling them down.
What Is The Ideal Temperature For Hedgehog Bath Water?
The ideal temperature for hedgehog bath water is around 100°F to 104°F (37.8°C to 40°C). This temperature range is warm enough for hedgehogs to be comfortable, but not too hot to burn their skin. Before bathing your hedgehog, it’s important to test the water temperature with a thermometer to ensure it’s within this range.
Do Hedgehogs Like Baths?
Not all hedgehogs enjoy bathing or swimming, as some may find it stressful or uncomfortable. However, some hedgehogs may tolerate or even enjoy baths, especially if they have been introduced to them from a young age. Ultimately, it depends on the individual hedgehog’s personality and preferences.
How Often Should You Bathe A Hedgehog
You should try bathing your hedgehog occasionally since bathing it often is not necessarily a good idea. Hedgehogs can groom themselves and are also not particularly dirty animals, so they won’t get dirty and smelly often as long as you clean their cage constantly. However, you’ll need to bathe your hedgehog if they get excessively dirty or smelly or if they have a skin condition that requires medicated baths. The frequency of baths for hedgehogs depends on several factors, such as their living environment and activity level. Nevertheless, bathing hedgehogs no more than once a month is generally recommended.
How To Clean Hedgehogs Without Completely Bathing Them
Here are some ways to keep hedgehogs clean without completely bathing them.
Foot Bath
Hedgehog’s feet often get dirtier than other parts of their body. This is because they are pretty active and often spend much time running on their exercise wheels or just prating around their cage. Food remains, poop, and other nasty stuff easily gets stuck on their feet when they step on them. It’s quite unnecessary to completely bath hedgehogs just because their feet are dirty. Instead, it’s best to give them foot baths on these occasions or when you want to trim their nails.
Towel Bath
You can also give your hedgehog a towel bath instead of a full bath if it isn’t too dirty. To do this, simply place a clean towel at the bottom of a sink and fill it with warm water. Then gently scrub your hedgehog’s back, legs, and belly with the warm wet towel. Ensure you don’t let the water enter your hedgehog’s eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Also, remember to dry your hedgehog with an entirely different dry towel when you’re done.
Conclusion
Bathing hedgehogs is not rocket science. However, it may require some patience and gentleness, especially if you are new to it. Although it might seem tedious at first, it gets a whole lot easier the more you do it. It’s important to keep in mind that frequent baths are not necessary and can be harmful to your hedgehog. That’s why its best to bathe hedgehogs only when necessary and not make it a constant thing.
References And Further Reading
Hedgehog Care and Husbandry – Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice.
Management of Hedgehogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
