From their behavior to their personality, every trait that a Hedgehog has is developed in the reaction to their predators. So it is normal for your Hedgehogs to hide in their enclosure, ignore you, and avoid being petted or handled. But does hiding indicate that your Hedgehogs are sick? Or are they scared?
So, I decided to do some research on the same, and here is what I have learned.
Hedgehogs are prey animals, so they get scared quickly, and it is their instinct to hide. Insecurity and fear are one of the significant reason that encourages hiding behavior in Hedgehogs. Other factors include the change in environment, sudden movements, introduction to a new owner, or even loud noises.
Hedgehogs are known to hide their pain until the health complication gets severe. When in pain, they spend most of their time hiding.
So, it is crucial to give attention to your little ones and take them to a vet if you are suspicious about their health.
Is It Normal For Hedgehogs To Hide?
It is entirely normal for hedgehogs to hide.
However, you should be concerned if there is a change in their behavior or when they are hiding more than usual.
For example: If you have got yourself a new Hedgehog, it is quite obvious for them to hide whenever you are around.
However, you will notice that with time they get used to your presence and not hide like they used to.
On the other hand, if your Hedgehog has suddenly started to hide more than usual or is not coming out even to eat its food, then there is a probability that your Hedgehog is sick.
There are a lot of reasons why your Hedgehog might be hiding. However, you should be cautious if their hiding behavior is sudden and unusual.
Why Does My Hedgehog Always Hide?
There could be a lot of reasons why your Hedgehogs might want to hide.
While some are natural and will get fixed with time, others need immediate attention.
Let us have a quick look at the reasons to understand what your Hedgehogs hide all the time.
Newly Adopted Hedgehogs
If you have got yourself a new Hedgehog, you need to let your Hedgehog adjust to their surroundings and the people around them. It is common for new Hedgehogs to hide for some time.
Avoid introducing your new pet to your friends until he is comfortable with you. This leads to stress in Hedgehogs, and they shake their body.
Hedgehogs can easily get stressed out. Your Hedgehog can have trust issues if adopted by another owner or because of the new environment or previous bad experiences; as a result, they might hide a lot.
It may take your Hedgehogs anywhere between one week to one month to get used to the new environment. Sometimes, even a month is not enough.
With time they will get used to their new living environment and come out and play, eat, and do all sorts of stuff even in your presence.
Potential Danger
As Hedgehogs are prey animals, they are very cautious about their surroundings.
In the wild, Hedgehogs depend on their hearing most for survival. Your Hedgehog would continuously be hearing out for possible threats even with the slightest movements.
The only way to defend Hedgehog is to hide or run away.
Keep your Hedgehogs away from the other pet if you have one. Make sure to keep them separated until they come to understand each other.
You should never make the mistake of introducing your little one to strangers until you are certain they are already comfortable with you.
You must provide them with a sense of security to relax and come out more often.
Shy In Nature
Each Hedgehog has its unique personality, and observing them intently will help you learn about their behavior.
If your Hedgehog has a shy nature, then you need to let your Hedgehog adjust to their surroundings and the people around them in their own time.
Once you have won the trust of your Hedgehogs, they will be more comfortable settling in and taking a nap around you.
A Hedgehog that completely trusts you can be comfortable being carried; however, this is not the case for most Hedgehogs.
Scared Of You
There are high chances that your Hedgehog ignores you because they are threatened by you. They have mistaken you for a predator.
In such cases, give your Hedgehog some time to adjust. You need to introduce yourself slowly to them to get used to you.
Do not try to hold your Hedgehog forcefully; this will annoy your little one. Doing so can result in a loss of trust, and your Hedgehogs might take even longer to get accustomed to your presence.
Also, if you have kids in your home, you must not allow them to play or handle your Hedgehogs in early days.
It is essential to introduce your Hedgehogs slowly to everyone.
With patience from your end, they will understand you as a friend and not an enemy over a while.
Sudden Loud Noises
Hedgehogs have an excellent hearing capability, but they are sensitive to loud noises.
Sometimes, even the sound of loud music, vacuum, fireworks, or even dumpster trucks can make your Hedgehog uncomfortable.
A frightened Hedgehog will run for their lives and hide until they feel safe.
Playing calm music can relax your little ones and make them feel comfortable. However, it is suggested to introduce music to your Hedgehog early. This makes them habituated to the music and has a calming effect.
In some cases, it was seen that Hedgehogs do die out of shock. They can have a heart attack if they are surprised or scared suddenly.
You should always provide a calm environment with minimal noise as Hedgehogs cannot tolerate loud noises.
Sleeping
While some Hedgehogs prefer to sleep in their hideouts while others prefer to sleep next to their beloved human. This depends on Hedgehogs to Hedgehogs.
If your notice your Hedgehog is hiding and taking a nap, then it is entirely normal.
Hedgehogs feel more secure when they take their nap in a comfortable hideout.
If you see your Hedgehogs sleep with their eyes fully closed, then you should be more than happy as it means they feel comfortable and content in their living space.
Health Problems
Most Hedgehogs fall sick if their owners are not responsible enough and neglect their duties towards their pets. Hedgehogs are known to hide their pain until the health complication gets severe.
It can be a problem for you to understand what is wrong with your Hedgehog if you are a new Hedgehog owner.
If your Hedgehog does not even come out of its hide space to eat, there are high chances that your Hedgehog might have a health complication.
If you notice any such thing or are suspicious about your Hedgehogs health, you must take your Hedgehog to a vet.
Some common health problems in Hedgehogs include respiratory complications and gastrointestinal problems.
Most of these will require professional help. Thus, it is recommended to avoid trying any home remedies and approach a vet.
How Do You Get A Hedgehog To Come Out Of Hiding?
Now that you know why your Hedgehog might be hiding, you can take appropriate action to get them out.
Let us look at some possible solutions to get your Hedgehogs from the hiding.
Well Maintained Living Environment
Selecting the correct enclosure for your Hedgehogs is very important. The cage which you choose for your little one must be comfortable as well as safe.
The living space of your Hedgehog must have food, water, and other essential supplies. Always remember that the enclosure will be your Hedgehogr’s home.
Once your little one feels at home, they are more likely to explore their living environment.
Also, the ideal temperature for Hedgehogs ranges from 75°F-85°F (24°C- 30°C). If you live in a place where weather conditions are extreme, then you might need to look into some source or some other alternative method to stabilize the temperature around their enclosure.
You should never be kept in an environment with loud noises. Hedgehogs should be kept in an area with minimal voice.
These can easily stress them out, and as a result, your Hedgehogs are more likely to remain inside hiding.
Hand Feeding Your Hedgehogs
Delivering the treats and food to your Hedgehog will always encourage them to approach you.
They will get used to you quickly if you hand-feed them their treats. You can treat them with their favorite treats.
The owner needs to make sure that they will not provide excess treats to their Hedgehogs or else it can lead to health complications.
Hand-feeding your Hedgehog also builds a strong bond with them, and they are more likely to come out and wheek and play with you rather than hiding when you are around.
Increase Their Floor Time
Exercise is important not only to keep your Hedgehog fit and healthy but also to keep them happy.
Just let them out in an open and spacious room with closed drafts and ventilation, so that your little friend does not escape.
Lack of exercise can lead to various health complications in Hedgehogs. It can also make your Hedgehog obese.
Let them out for at least 1-2 hours each day. This will also help you to bond with your Hedgehog.
It is also helpful in introducing other family members or friends during the process, which makes them less likely to hide in the foreseeable future.
Exercise also helps your Hedgehogs keep their bodies warm, which is excellent for those cold days.
Do Not Chase Them Around To Hold Them
There is no doubt that Hedgehogs are cute animals and look cuddly, but this does not mean that they enjoy being carried around or held up.
Do not try to hold your Hedgehog forcefully; this will just annoy your little one.
Hedgehogs often get stressed when you hold them or pick them up forcefully, especially when you have not bonded with your little one.
Delivering the treats and food to your Hedgehog will always encourage them to approach you.
Allow your Hedgehog to come near you for petting and cuddling on their own time, and make sure that this happens from their side and you are not pushing yourself towards them.
Have Patience
You must have patience if you own a pet like Hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs make an amazing pet if you take proper care of them.
As all Hedgehogs are not the same it is crucial to understand the personality of your Hedgehogs and give them time to adjust to your presence.
Do not rush things. It can ruin the bond between you and your Hedgehogs. Patience is important to build a bond and train your Hedgehogs.
Avoid introducing your new pet to your friends until he is comfortable with you. This leads to stress in Hedgehogs.
Allow your new Hedgehog to inspect everything on their own time, and they will generally grow comfortable in their environment and get used to it.
With patience from your end, they will understand you as a friend and not an enemy over a while.
Visit A Vet
Being prey animals, Hedgehogs are excellent at hiding their pain. They do so to avoid looking weak in front of their predators.
Therefore, it is important to take them to a professional vet once in a while. They will help you look for hidden signs of the issue and treat them accordingly.
Hedgehogs are quite sensitive when it comes to their health. Their health can drastically change within 24-48 hours.
So, it is crucial to give attention to your little ones and take them to a vet if you are suspicious about their health.
Various health complications are not apparent, and you must look out for other signs like weight loss, lethargy, swollen eyes, etc.
If you notice any of these signs, your Hedgehog certainly needs medical attention.
