if you've been washing your hands are you using a scented soap? Do you smoke? If you smoke, he might not like the smell of that especially on your hands.
we adopted a biter about a year ago. I rarely get bitten while John used to get bitten all the time... all three of my hedgies love his scent and one will run right up to his neck and ears and lick and chomp. And that's not the 'biter', who will nip at John if he puts his hands near her. When he picks her up he has to use a washcloth or he gets bitten. Me, I am confident and have a different way of grabbing and get her to her destination quickly (she does not like to be held at all).
I don't know his origin, if from a breeder or a pet store and if he is a rehome. Chances are he was not socialized. You have to have a lot of patience and give him a long time... as I said we've had our biter a year and just when we think she's over it she'll nail John again.
I can't remember my password so I'm posting under anonymous, but I am clutterbuster joy at hedgehogfriendsENY@gmail.com
Is it "wow that's tasty" biting or "leave me alone" biting? Avoiding tasty biting is sadly often a combo of artful dodging and finding less tasty personal products. Remember soaps have smells and flavors too, so "clean" doesn't necessarily mean tasteless.
If it seems aggressive, frightened, or pained see if there's a potential medical reason... quilling (esp at that age), parasites, injuries, or allergic reactions can all cause fairly sudden behavior shifts.
Sometimes if it's strictly behavioral leaving them alone when they start getting grumpy makes things worse. Whenever my guys start to try and "scare" me off with huffing I make a point to (gently!) stick to whatever I'm doing and keep them out until they calm down again. I won't continue anything intrusive, but I will hold them and gently pet them until they get the point that I'm not scared and huffing isn't going to get them put back.
i think it is more of a "tasty" bite. except for one time, when i wouldnt let him go where he wanted to, and he bit my palm. but for the most part when i hold him and he runs around my hands and arms he seems completely content, until i decide to look up and BAM he chomps on the skin right between my index finger and thumb. and he didn't let go. as far as his health, ive already taken him to a vet for like a post-buy check up. he said everything was perfect and he said the lil guy had a good temperament also, because he didnt ball up when the doc picked him up. but i will try to not leave him alone next time after a bite, even if it hurt like hell. hah thank youu!
mine has bitten me twice and both times were when i had her out and about on the floor and i was standing near her and she bit my toe. i guess she thought it was a worm or something. as for your case, i dont even know what to tell you about that. maybe you have a scent that makes him do that?
Wow, same thing happened to me, too! Mine is also nine months old, and I've had him for about the same time. He was a rehome (twice, actually) and was never really socialized, so I knew that I was going to be dealing with a grumpy, somewhat shy hog. However, the owner failed to mention any biting
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ive heard of the qtip method, but that seems mean. ive also heard of blowing on their face, but so far we havent had success with that. and maybe ill try the pushing thing if he ever chomps again. maybe i should wash my hands in rubbing alcohol before playing with him so his mouth doesnt stay near my hands.
Even if your hands are "clean", if you use a soap with a scent, he might want to eat it. It's tough to find unscented soap sometimes, but I recommend trying that out.
Mine used to lick my fingers as a way of saying "this smells good, if this tastes good, I think I'll have a nibble". So if you feel a lick, turn your hedgie around or move your hands.
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we adopted a biter about a year ago. I rarely get bitten while John used to get bitten all the time... all three of my hedgies love his scent and one will run right up to his neck and ears and lick and chomp. And that's not the 'biter', who will nip at John if he puts his hands near her. When he picks her up he has to use a washcloth or he gets bitten. Me, I am confident and have a different way of grabbing and get her to her destination quickly (she does not like to be held at all).
I don't know his origin, if from a breeder or a pet store and if he is a rehome. Chances are he was not socialized. You have to have a lot of patience and give him a long time... as I said we've had our biter a year and just when we think she's over it she'll nail John again.
I can't remember my password so I'm posting under anonymous, but I am clutterbuster joy at hedgehogfriendsENY@gmail.com
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If it seems aggressive, frightened, or pained see if there's a potential medical reason... quilling (esp at that age), parasites, injuries, or allergic reactions can all cause fairly sudden behavior shifts.
Sometimes if it's strictly behavioral leaving them alone when they start getting grumpy makes things worse. Whenever my guys start to try and "scare" me off with huffing I make a point to (gently!) stick to whatever I'm doing and keep them out until they calm down again. I won't continue anything intrusive, but I will hold them and gently pet them until they get the point that I'm not scared and huffing isn't going to get them put back.
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as far as his health, ive already taken him to a vet for like a post-buy check up. he said everything was perfect and he said the lil guy had a good temperament also, because he didnt ball up when the doc picked him up.
but i will try to not leave him alone next time after a bite, even if it hurt like hell. hah thank youu!
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as for your case, i dont even know what to tell you about that. maybe you have a scent that makes him do that?
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maybe i should wash my hands in rubbing alcohol before playing with him so his mouth doesnt stay near my hands.
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Mine used to lick my fingers as a way of saying "this smells good, if this tastes good, I think I'll have a nibble". So if you feel a lick, turn your hedgie around or move your hands.
Reply
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