But what works as bedding for one species in a cage indoors may well not be the right choice as nesting material for wild hedgehogs living outdoors. Often, they don’t even run for a reason–they just run for the joy of it. If dirt or bedding gets stuck in their spines, you can bathe them using warm water, toothbrush, and cat shampoo if you prefer. Make sure to use shallow water only in your hedgehog's bath. There dusting conditions the coat and deters mites. Hedgehog Awareness week: 3rd – 9th May 2020. Some may need it more or less often than that. You can also try wiping off their dirt with a wet towel. Though their spines or quills can be off-putting to newcomers, anyone who has a pet hedgehog will tell you they are nothing to worry about. Hedgehogs need their nails clipped occasionally, and after bath time is the ideal time to do that. Put a small amount of soap or shampoo in your hand, and lather it with some water. Hedgehog Awareness Week aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them. The little bean gets a bath. Mites can also cause dry skin. I think bathing a hedgehog can really help with bonding. Common store-bought mushrooms like buttons, portobello, cremini, and shiitakes often arrive with some peaty-smelling growing medium clinging to their caps. In addition to squirming and being a bit hyper in the water when they are first put in, many hedgehogs – especially those not used to bathing – may pee or poo in the water. The procedure itself is relatively simple, and once they are used to it, hedgehogs can really enjoy playing in the water. This is especially true if you are using the bathtub rather than a sink. It led to poor treatment and abandonment of many hedgehogs. Some veterinarians recommend only water but most hedgehog owners use some type of bath products to help clean and soften the skin. There are also some hedgehogs that love bath time. Other hedgehogs may not like the water at all, but bathing a dirty hedgehog is necessary for the overall wellbeing of the animal. Method 2: Towel bath. Hedgehogs often have dirty feet from running on the wheel in their cage. Still, compared to some animals that are known to dislike water (cats, for instance), hedgehogs are quite receptive to bath time, generally speaking. Your hedgehog may huff or roll into a ball. Hedgehog bath time strikes dread into some hedgie owners. You can bathe your hedgehog in the sink, tub, or a separate wash basin. A jam jar lid of milk substitute can be left in the box from now on, but keep feeding using the syringe etc. Native hedgehogs are found in central Asia and parts of the Middle East. Hedgehogs are obviously wild creatures and wounds may have picked up all kinds of dirt and debris. With this in mind, it is advised that bathing hedgehogs doesn’t occur too regularly – otherwise there is a risk of drying out the skin. These animals use rolling in dust as a way of bathing in a dry environment. Aveeno baby washes are usually a great choice. Foot Baths for Hedgehogs. Mothers usually lick the hoglet’s tummy to stimulate it to pass urine. Step 1: Place both hands beside the hedgehog with fingers facing forward. Doing a full bath is very similar to a cloth bath except we fill up the sink/bath tub with water and use a cup! If you've just got a pet hedgehog, or you don't know exactly when and how to wash your hedgehog, don't worry about a thing. Mix one ounce of the shampoo/conditioner combo into the water to make suds. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Avoid pouring water over their face. Hedgehogs, like many domesticated animals, are still susceptible to infection or infestation by small insects and critters. HedgeMom posted on Hedgehog Central that she has many hedgehogs that seek out and play in spilled chinchilla dust. While not fluffy and cuddly like cats or dogs, they are still quite friendly and affectionate. You want to move the toothbrush in the direction of spine growth, not against it. Gently wash your hedgehog until it’s clean. Hedgehogs tend to get themselves filthy all the time, but it is highly recommended for a hedgehog to bathe only once a month. Means, Antigone.. “Hedgehog Treats: Dust Baths”. False. How to Bathe a Hedgehog. Types of Cage. ... Dry skin can occur due to various reasons but the main ones are: dehydration and bathing too many times. Usually, hedgehogs are the kind of wild animals that require a lot of plain ground for probing their food. to put in the bottom of the sink or tub. Find yourself a pair of gardening gloves before gently scooping up the hedgehog into the box. This may lead to drying out their skins but to solve this issue you can try out a foot bath often as they tend to get their feet very dirty. The team at Heavenly Hedgies has over 20 years of direct, hands-on experience with hedgehog care. Since hedgehogs often go potty while running on their wheel, these dirty feet are given the name “poopy boots”. Build a simple enclosure using a wooden crate or box to protect wild hedgehogs from the elements and predator animals. save. Dust bathing is a natural behavior for many types of animals both large (our horse and donkeys) and small (chinchillas and small rodents). share. You can build it at any size you want. How to Bathe Your Hedgehog: Insert the drain plug and fill the sink with about 1.5 cups of lukewarm water (make sure the sink itself is clean first). Wanting a Necropsy after your hedgehog passes? There are some possible risks associated with dust baths, which include males getting dust in their genital area. Prepare a cardboard box with high sides by lining it with a towel or scrunched up newspaper (so that the hedgehog can hide). You can also use this time to weigh it. Then, gently rub the soap over the belly, feet, and back of your hedgehog, taking care to avoid getting soap or water on the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth regions around the face. Hedgehogs of all species are wild animals and do not make good pets. For simplicity, I prefer to use the sink. Hedgehog enthusiasts sometimes wonder whether or not a hedgehog actually needs a dust bath. Sand Boxes • Some hedgehogs love to dig and fling in sand to look for hidden treats. If problems with the eyes occur, they should be bathed with warm water using a separate piece of cotton wool for each eye. How to Bathe Your Hedgehog: Insert the drain plug and fill the sink with about 1.5 cups of lukewarm water (make sure the sink itself is clean first). Too much bathing can cause hedgehog skin to dry out. Clean the container, put in clean newspaper and food and water. Now that you know how to bathe and clean your hedgehog, what about their cage? At AnimalWised we've noticed how more and more people are choosing to keep a hedgehog as a pet.Just like any other pet, hedgehogs need to be cared for in particular ways so that they can develop and live happily. Place hedgehog on slipping mat and pour warm water over your hedgehog till soap is washed off. The water should be warm, but not hot. The frequency for bathing is often based on individual need, and will vary from hedgehog to hedgehog. It’s also worth noting that the cleaner you keep their cage, and the more frequently you clean out their waste and other debris, the longer you can usually go between baths. Continue browsing in r/Hedgehog. My senior citizen, Barbara. While, in household conditions, hedgehogs can live up to 5 to 6 years. Contributor: Shelly Fowler, Beach Bum Hedgies, References: Ifc claims “My guy LOVES his dust bath; when I let him out of his cage for a run its the first place he goes, often even before he checks out the treats bowl. As with every play activity it is always wise to keep an eye out for any problem. Fill the sink with about an inch of water. Most of their “dirtiness” stems from stepping in waste in their cages more than anything else, so keeping their cage clean is an easy way to avoid frequent bathing. It's fairly easy to bathe your hedgehog with the right equipment and a little patience. Mix one ounce of the shampoo/conditioner combo into the water to make suds. It … How to Bathe a Hedgehog: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow When you’re done, be sure to give them a good rinse, since soap residue can contribute to dry or irritated skin. Organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), the charity is asking people to make a space for hedgehogs to live in their garden by leaving wild areas for hogs to make a home. You generally need: A Towel; Baby Shampoo; Soft Toothbrush; Nail Clippers You can pre-warm a towel (just until it’s warm, not hot) in the dryer or with a hairdryer. But only make usage of it after all the shampoo has been soaked off. Swirl the water around with your hands, and drain the mushrooms at once. Find yourself a pair of gardening gloves before gently scooping up … But with proper handling and care, this is no more common than other kinds of pets passing along diseases to humans, and there are a great many pet hedgehog owners around the world today. 4, Issue 12. A good number will be about just once a month. But until then here is a down and dirty list of step for bathing your hedgehog: In a bath tub or sink, get the water going at a warm temperature. If you find any carpet fibers, threads, or other foreign matter, be sure to carefully remove it, to avoid possible negative health consequences for your pet hedgehog. Most will only require you to bathe them monthly. Pick out any large material you find in the quills before the bathing … Hedgehog Central Forum post November 3, 2005 Ifc. Hedgehog wound treatments Hedgehog bathing as part of wound treatment The treatment for wounds like this takes a long time. While too many baths can hurt, using a nourishing bath wash can help. To speed things up, de-stem the mushrooms (save the stems for stuffingor broths), fill a large bowl with water, and dunk the mushrooms into it. In care we use a … Bathing too frequently, not rinsing effectively. Now it's time for a bath. Do not have the hog on its back during this procedure or it may inhale the fluids and drown. Exercise wheels and similar devices may need cleaning more often, as they are a common place for hedgehogs to “do their business” while exercising. Hedgehogs of all species are wild animals and do not make good pets. ↑ Like them or hate them, a bath is something that every hedgie must endure. How To Safely Handle A Hedgehog Hedgehogs do not seem to view humans as much of a threat, so when you need to pick up a hedgehog, it’s unlikely to run from you and will not be too disturbed by the whole experience. In captivity hoglets put on weight much more quickly than in the wild. There is no standard size for making a cage of the hedgehog. Always watch the skin for signs of irritation to bath products. Weight guides given are for wild hedgehogs, hand reared hedgehogs can weigh 500 or 600gms at 8 weeks. Hedgehogs’ Wild Habitat in Asia . Clean Claws. Now, it’s time to dry your pet hedgie! Good Bath Wash. Good bath wash can actually heal the skin. Keep your fingers together, and out of the way of your hedgehog's belly in case they decide to roll into a ball (a finger trapped in the middle of a balled up hedgehog is not fun). Many hedgehogs love to play in warm water and will enjoy themselves during bath time. Indeed, their spines are not at all an issue for humans, as they are not poisonous, nor are they barbed. If your hedgehog has mites you’ll need to wash everything in their habitat to be safe. Don’t Forget To Wash Their Stuff! In modern times, these concerns are mostly unfounded. Then, you should be all ready to get the last, important thing you’ll need – your hedgehog! We recommend using a cup to pour clean water over them slowly and carefully. Online. How frequent to give my hedgehogs a bath? You can bathe your hedgehog in the sink, tub, or a separate wash basin. Aug 4, 2019 - Hedgehogs dirty and needs a bath? Absolutely! You can pat them dry slightly, but they are hard to dry entirely with a towel. For information on pet hedgehogs (so-called "African Pygmy Hedgehogs") and wild hedgehogs. Then, gently rub the soap over the belly, feet, and back of your hedgehog, taking care to avoid getting soap or water on the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth regions around the face. But what works as bedding for one species in a cage indoors may well not be the right choice as nesting material for wild hedgehogs living outdoors. Therefore, you may need to invest in and use a small heater adjacent to your pet’s cage to ensure the temperature is suitable for them. Be extra careful while you are pouring down water over a hedgehog’s back. IHA News. With that said, once you have a location chosen, you’ll need a few things, including: You also likely will want to wear comfortable clothes that can be easily washed or put in the laundry afterwards, as you’re likely to get a bit wet during the bathing process. I think bathing a hedgehog can really help with bonding. This section simply covers some extra things you can do to make your hedgehog a little bit more comfortable if they have mites. Typically, this will vary based on how active your hedgehog is, how messy they are, and what kind of cage area they have. Once your hedgehog has unrolled from their ball allow them to explore your hands and lap at their own pace. Native hedgehogs are found in central Asia and parts of the Middle East. Bathing a hedgehog can be made easier with some simple prep and knowledge beforehand, as well as a bit of patience – they are a pet, after all, and many pets can be rascals when it comes to bathing. It is recommended that you bathe a hedgehog in a sink or bathtub – the sink is easier to contain the hedgie, and less stressful on your back. Give them time to relax and do their stuff (at least an hour) before taking them for the bath. Take your hedgehog and wrap them in a towel to dry off and keep them warm. You see, hedgehogs are actually very resistant to various toxins that are found in the wild. Whether you have a hedgehog in your garden or a pet hedgehog indoors, it requires safe and cozy living quarters. However, you can also use a towel to more carefully bathe your hedgehog without having to rub their quills with bare hands: Method 1: Water bath. Wash fleeces in a non-bio liquid, spin and they should come out dry. In the wild, hedgehogs can get fleas, ticks, and mites quite commonly. I use Aveeno oatmeal powder for the bath, I get mine at Target (any drug store or similar to Target should have it) and it's usually in the health/beauty section for either kids with chickenpox or people that suffer from eczema. Protected: New Hedgehog Owners: Information and Videos to Watch Before Your Appointment at Our Shop. The long-eared hedgehog breed is most common in China, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey. Put a small amount of soap or shampoo in your hand, and lather it with some water. Make sure that the water temperature is comfortable for your hedgie. A Baby Hedgehog'S Nutritional Needs. Other hedgehogs may not like the water at all, but bathing a dirty hedgehog is necessary for the overall wellbeing of the animal. However, you should keep in mind that some of these might be difficult to keep free of all the bacteria and accumulated dirt. After all, the mother hedgehog's nutritional intake is passed to the baby hedgies via nursing. The long-eared hedgehog breed is most common in China, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey. You’ll find all the details you need on bathing pet hedgehogs below. Aveeno baby washes are usually a great choice. This also includes cleaning toys, bedding, and other materials kept in the cage. However, it is ok to bathe them once or twice a week. December 2002 You can make a homemade oatmeal soak by placing a handful of oatmeal in cheesecloth or panty hose and hold it under the warm, running water. Greebly has never needed a water bath (which, considering his opinion of any water not in his water dish, is a good thing) and since starting dust baths problems with poopy feet are greatly reduced.”, Ifc states: “The drawback to dust bathing is that it is not for fastidious housekeepers. How to give a hedgehog Bath: full on bath. Organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), the charity is asking people to make a space for hedgehogs to live in their garden by leaving wild areas for hogs to make a home. Instead of a full bath, sometimes a foot bath is all that is necessary. Fill the sink, tub or wash basin with 2-4 inches of water. Many hedgehogs love to play in warm water and will enjoy themselves during bath time. On occasion new hedgehog owners are surprised to find that their hedgehog prefers to dust bathe in their litter pan instead of using it for its intended purpose! Step 2: Slide both your palms together from under each side of your hedgehog just like how you cup your palms together to wash your face. Many hedgehogs have been observed dust bathing in a variety of “dusty” things including spilled chinchilla dust, broken down pelleted litter, and litter in litter pans. Here's everything you need to know about bathing hedgehogs. Many of the “Top 10 Hedgehog Bedding” articles you see online are aimed at owners of pet African Pygmy hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are generally clean pets, but they sometimes require a bath. Bathing is easy if you have the right supplies for the job. As always, odors, obvious buildup of wastes, and other visual or olfactory indicators may mean you need to clean the cage more often, but it should definitely be done at least every 2 weeks. After the bath, disinfect the sink or tub. Dust bathing is a natural behavior for many types of animals both large (our horse and donkeys) and small (chinchillas and small rodents). Considering the hedgehog is a wild animal; this is surprisingly easy to do. After all, this is a completely natural thing for your hedgehog to do in the wild. If the hedgehog rolls up in deep water, then he may drown. By Katie McNeal March 15, 2017 ; Our in-depth step by step video tutorial is in the works. And while it should go without saying, we’ll say it anyway – you should ensure the sink or tub are clean, free from residues of cleaners or chemicals, and otherwise neutral so as not to introduce any potential irritants, contaminants, or injurious substances into bath time for your pet. Tip: Use these cleaning wipes.They work great and don’t contain any products that are harmful to your hedgehog (like Lysol) After filling a sink with about one inch of warm water, you can place your hedgehog into the water. Rehydration Fluids - If you do not have ready prepared oral fluids such as Lectade, you can make your own using 1 level Tablespoon of sugar, 1 level teaspoon of salt and dissolve in a litre of warm water. About Us. Step 3: … There are a couple of different things you can do to make the hedgehog quilling experience a little more manageable for your pet. Hedgehogs can make great pets. Because hedgehogs often pee and/or poo in the water, especially when they are not used to bathing, you should avoid sinks that are in or near areas where you prepare food, so the kitchen should not be your first choice. After all, this is a completely natural thing for the hedgehog to do in the wild. It's not uncommon for hedgehogs to hate bath time. ↑ Before you begin bathing your hedgehog, you should decide where you are going to bathe them, and gather a few necessary items. Asian Hedgehogs avoids the desert and mountainous terrain but thrive in grassy regions adjacent to forests or source of water. Gently scoop water … Chinchilla dusting sand gets kicked and tracked everywhere. True. The first is to give them a nice bath. Bath time for domestic hedgehogs is clearly an unnatural occurrence, which their mates in the wild never experience. However, dirt and other particles can get stuck in the many quills, so bathing is occasionally needed. Let’s start the steps one by one. It needs to have some kind of ingredient that helps with moisture. To bathe the hedgehog, make sure they have not just woken up. It’s similar to bathing a baby or a dog – you want the water comfortably warm, but not so warm as to make the hedgehog uncomfortable. Animated GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY. Hedgehog Awareness week: 3rd – 9th May 2020. With these methods, you should be ready to handle your hedgehog. Bath Time: Hedgehogs are generally clean animals, and if the habitat is kept clean, other grooming will be required less frequently. Reptile sand is a popular substrate as it is used for animals that frequently ingest their bedding while eating. Rehydration Fluids - If you do not have ready prepared oral fluids such as Lectade, you can make your own using 1 level Tablespoon of sugar, 1 level teaspoon of salt and dissolve in a litre of warm water. Interesting, so two of these people have very different opinions from me. Our information is derived from that personal experience, authoritative reference material, and alliances with proven leaders in the hedgehog community. If you have a bath mat or piece of carpet to put down in the water (for traction for the hedgehog so they don’t slip all over the place), then you should do that now. One of these requirements is hygiene. It should not be hot, but warm, similar to what you’d use for a baby. A facial brush or soft toothbrush can be used with baby shampoo or dog … Before you begin bathing your hedgehog, you should decide where you are going to bathe them, and gather a few necessary items. Bath time is a good time to ensure that no fabric, threads, dust, or other foreign matter are getting stuck on your hedgehog, particularly in their feet and genital areas. Release of the "Sonic The Blue Hedgehog" video game was the best thing that ever happened to hedgehogs. Asian Hedgehogs avoids the desert and mountainous terrain but thrive in grassy regions adjacent to forests or source of water. Wash fleeces in a non-bio liquid, spin and they should come out dry. I think a dust bath designed for chinchillas would have too big a door, which would increase dust disbursal.” To remedy this situation Ifc “[sits] the dust bath on a big piece of felty material [synthetic car wash cloth actually] which acts like a doormat to help catch tracked-out sand, and the whole thing is under a chair so I don’t accidently bump it [which has happened and the mess is not fun].”. In general, though, most cages should be cleaned at least every two weeks, and more frequently doesn’t hurt. 63.0k. Members. Gently lower your pet hedgehog into … Hedgehog Awareness Week aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them. The most common way to bathe your hedgehog is in a shallow water bath. Run the water over your hands until the water feels comfortable, and then fill the bath. Dust bathing is a natural behavior for many types of animals both large (our horse and donkeys) and small (chinchillas and small rodents). Always pour water on them gently and slowly not to startle them. Their eyes open at 2 weeks enabling the hoglets to see their food. Overall, hedgehogs do not require a bath very often. He looks positively blissful as he rolls and wallows. Lay them on a double … We always want to start with the dry clean before giving our hedgehog a bath. You can bathe your hedgehog in your sink or a Tupperware box with ample space. This step is optional, but if your hedgehog has dry skin, you can use olive or flax seed oil. Or instead of bathing, you can just do a scrub with the toothbrush of their feet to get rid of “poopy feet”. Don't try to pet your hedgehog until they have relaxed. When it’s time to give your hedgehog a normal bath, and you’ve gathered all your supplies, you’ll want to start by getting the water nice and warm. Now it's time for a bath. This should be given by syringe very slowly. report. How to toilet them. Dirty feet and claws cause the skin to be covered and irritated. Interesting, so two of these people have very different opinions from me. We always want to start with the dry clean before giving our hedgehog a bath. Hedgehogs and Bathing. • On some occasions, new hedgehog owners are surprised to find that their hedgehog prefers to dust bathe in their litter pan instead of using it for its intended purpose. Vol. You’ll find all the details you need on bathing pet hedgehogs below. Many hedgehogs don’t need to be bathed this often, and stay clean for many months, so it varies a lot from animal to animal based on their own habits. It is usually helpful to have a lidded box, cat basket or deep container to put the hog in while you do this or you'll spend the next few hours playing hunt the hedgehog. Place your hedgehog under the stream avoiding the face. Do not have the hog on its back during this procedure or it may inhale the fluids and drown. Cleaning every single cap with a cute mushroom brush is perhaps a therapeutic meditation but bad for time management. At the same time, there is some stigma, both from the appearance – like porcupines, which make people think they are dangerous to handle – and from the limited risk of hedgehogs developing a fungal skin infection and passing ringworm on to humans. It's best to run the bath water before putting your hedgehog into it since the running water may get too hot or scare your pet. With this in mind, it is advised that bathing hedgehogs doesn’t occur too regularly – otherwise there is a risk of drying out the skin. Some hedgehog bathing guides recommend using a baking mat made from silicone. So, in addition to a large cage, your pet hedgehog also needs an exercise wheel (use a wheel with solid floors, so your pet’s feet don’t fall through the bars, since this can hurt him). One must be cautious when using commercial grade or beach sand that can harbor fleas and bacteria. hog-wild about hedgies & Hedgehog Care. How to give a hedgehog Bath: full on bath. To see a full step by step guide to bathing, check out our bathing and grooming guide here . Cup your hands and lift your hedgehog up while they are cradled in your hands. hide. The average lifespan of a wild hedgehog is around 3 to 4 years. The mama hedgehog was killed by a lawnmower and the wild baby hedgehogs refused to be hand-raised, so this mother cat was able to fill the void. What supplies to use? Next, take the soft-bristled toothbrush and to clean their spines and give their feet a scrub (gently, though). I’m a rescue hedgehog and my rescue Dad named Ken  decided to start a blog about what every Hedgehog parent should know! Therefore, it is recommended that you bathe your hedgehog no more than once a month. Because of this, you can give them a nice bath to make them feel a little better. Depending on the severity of the infestation, your hedgehog might have a lot of lingering discomfort and irritation. Prepare a cardboard box with high sides by lining it with a towel or scrunched up newspaper (so that the hedgehog can hide). Generally, they are seen as non-native species that can cause ecosystem imbalances in the wild, and the risk of a pet getting loose and joining the local environment is very real. Baby or pet-specific oatmeal bath shampoos are recommended, or you can find instructions to make your own (from actual oatmeal) online. Bath Time Prep. Keep the box in a quiet, warm place: a hot water bottle filled with hot tap water wrapped in a towel can provide a gentle heat source – make sure it doesn’t go cold! The law and you. Many of the “Top 10 Hedgehog Bedding” articles you see online are aimed at owners of pet African Pygmy hedgehogs. Bath time for domestic hedgehogs is clearly an unnatural occurrence, which their mates in the wild never experience. Hedgehogs and Bathing. Your hedgehog will probably decide quickly that being picked up is a good thing since they get rewarded for it. Gently lower your pet hedgehog into … But they do need to be cared for, as does the hedgehog’s skin, in order to keep them in optimal health. Avoid using a hair dryer, though – keep them wrapped up to stay warm (but not too warm), to avoid them getting the chills. 496. Join. There are laws in this country protecting wildlife. However, this depends on the hedgehog you have to care for. This is because hedgehogs are naturally active animals who run a lot in the wild. Once they are used to the water and have played and frolicked a bit, and relaxed their spines, it’s time to get to the actual bathing work. So, making a bit bigger cage for your pet can be very comfortable. At some point, there was concern that hedgehogs may be carriers of foot and mouth disease, a type of illness that can infect animals like cows, horses, goats, and sheep, and could cause harm to farms keeping livestock of these types. Some hedgehogs may like more water, and like to swim around in somewhat deeper water, but you should always start shallow enough for them to keep their head above the water without exertion, and without slipping around too much. Hedgehogs became the #1 pet across the world. They are covered by the Animal Welfare Act and if you pick up any animal you are responsible for it and must provide appropriate care. Part 2 of 3: Cleaning Your Hedgehog’s Quills Pick out any large material you find in the quills before the bathing … Doing a full bath is very similar to a cloth bath except we fill up the sink/bath tub with water and use a cup! They can eat animals that would normally be inedible for others (giants toads are a common example of this). I think dust baths are more in keeping with hedgehog behavior in the wild. If your hedgehog does get extremely dirty on a more frequent basis, it’s best to give them an oatmeal bath, rather than a regular bath, to avoid drying out their skin. The theory is that in the wild, hedgehogs are used to eating these toxic animals and have semi-toxic saliva as a result. The nutrition of mama is very important while she is nursing. r/Hedgehog. If you feel the water is too dirty and must be drained while they are in it, be sure they are not near the drain to avoid injury.