Oh, you lucky people with hedgehogs to photo and gloat over! We have been here for almost 12 years now and nary a one have I seen. Got foxes, badgers, rabbits and squirrels galore, red tailed kites and buzzards, but no cute little hedgehogs. Look forward to reading more hedgehog stories.
Lovely. Do they hurt to pick up, what with all the prickles? Can they bite? As a scary cat I want to know what I'm in for if I see one and want to help it!
They are fine to pick up, as Steve says, just wear thick gloves (or a pair of rubber gloves over thin gardening gloves as I did). Slip both of your hands around their body gently and pick them up. They tend to tense up but it's just them instinctively bringing out their spikes to protect themselves.
Bob looks lovely by the way.
The rescue lady told me that if you have one hedgehog in your garden you will have several.
I am handling my fella as little as possible so that he fully retains his natural fear of predators. When he was awake he walks around his cage and appears not to worry about my presence, I think that's probably due to their generally poor eyesight. When I put my hand in the cage to clean it out or feed him, he tends to just go still, probably hoping I won't see him if he doesn't move. Poor lad was eating a bit of roast potato that had fallen off the bird feeder when I first saw him. He must have been very hungry.
He is still hibernating by the way. The gales we are having in Lancashire are keeping us awake, but they haven't bothered him!
I have him in the greenhouse, which we can see from our conservatory. I can see right into his cage without going out to him so I will know if he comes out of hibernation.
Our cat is very poorly at the moment, our loyal and loving friend of 13 years, and we are going through an upsetting time with her but despite that It makes me smile whenever I see the hedgehog curled up, warm and safe.
Lancashire Lass, so very sorry to hear about your cat. Having recently lost mine, after 14 years, I absolute feel for you. I hope that she is as comfortable as she can be, and I am positive that your love and care are working wonders even though it is beyond upsetting. Lots of love and hugs.
Our cat Katie is very poorly and the vet can't find out what is wrong with her. I fear we are going to lose her and it's a question of when to do the right thing for her. The vet is phoning us tomorrow morning to discuss things with us.
A quick update, the hedgehog is still hibernating! I heard someone talking about hibernation on Radio 4 this morning (or was I dreaming it??). Hibernation is far more than a sleep, more of a deep unconsciousness. When they come out of it they really don't know where they are (our Hoggy is certainly going to be puzzled when he wakes to find himself inside a greenhouse.)
My cat is not faring so well, she has feline pancreatitis which can be fatal. Things are very much in the balance at the moment. She spent 48 hours at the vets but we have her at home now, keeping a close eye on her and trying to pursuade her to eat. We have no intention of letting her suffer for any longer than necessary. It's a sad time. I'm sorry to bore people with my cat whoes, I realize that not everyone on this forum is a cat lover.
Hope your cat has fared better Victoria and I'm so sorry Tootles that you lost yours, but 14yrs is a good age and I'm sure he/she had a good life with you.
Posts
Oh, you lucky people with hedgehogs to photo and gloat over! We have been here for almost 12 years now and nary a one have I seen. Got foxes, badgers, rabbits and squirrels galore, red tailed kites and buzzards, but no cute little hedgehogs. Look forward to reading more hedgehog stories.
Here is Bob, I don't have a photo of Maximus but I am sure you get the idea!
Lovely. Do they hurt to pick up, what with all the prickles? Can they bite? As a scary cat I want to know what I'm in for if I see one and want to help it!
Bob has defo got a twinkle in his eye! so cute!
If you need to help one, best bet is gardening gloves and call your local vet. You mostly won't see them around in daytime if they are well.
They are fine to pick up, as Steve says, just wear thick gloves (or a pair of rubber gloves over thin gardening gloves as I did). Slip both of your hands around their body gently and pick them up. They tend to tense up but it's just them instinctively bringing out their spikes to protect themselves.
Bob looks lovely by the way.
The rescue lady told me that if you have one hedgehog in your garden you will have several.
I am handling my fella as little as possible so that he fully retains his natural fear of predators. When he was awake he walks around his cage and appears not to worry about my presence, I think that's probably due to their generally poor eyesight. When I put my hand in the cage to clean it out or feed him, he tends to just go still, probably hoping I won't see him if he doesn't move. Poor lad was eating a bit of roast potato that had fallen off the bird feeder when I first saw him. He must have been very hungry.
He is still hibernating by the way. The gales we are having in Lancashire are keeping us awake, but they haven't bothered him!
I have him in the greenhouse, which we can see from our conservatory. I can see right into his cage without going out to him so I will know if he comes out of hibernation.
Our cat is very poorly at the moment, our loyal and loving friend of 13 years, and we are going through an upsetting time with her but despite that It makes me smile whenever I see the hedgehog curled up, warm and safe.
Thanks for all your interest.
Sorry to hear about your cat LL - will she be okay?
Lancashire Lass, so very sorry to hear about your cat. Having recently lost mine, after 14 years, I absolute feel for you. I hope that she is as comfortable as she can be, and I am positive that your love and care are working wonders even though it is beyond upsetting. Lots of love and hugs.
Hoping Mr / Mrs Hog is having sweet dreams.
Our cat Katie is very poorly and the vet can't find out what is wrong with her. I fear we are going to lose her and it's a question of when to do the right thing for her. The vet is phoning us tomorrow morning to discuss things with us.
It's hard, as anyone who has animals will know.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Hoggy is still asleep!!
I empathise with your situation Lancashire Lass as I also have an old cat who suddenly went off her food this week.
It's distressing and difficult to know what to do for the best.
I hope the info from the vet will clarify things for you.
Thinking of you and Katie -x-
A quick update, the hedgehog is still hibernating! I heard someone talking about hibernation on Radio 4 this morning (or was I dreaming it??). Hibernation is far more than a sleep, more of a deep unconsciousness. When they come out of it they really don't know where they are (our Hoggy is certainly going to be puzzled when he wakes to find himself inside a greenhouse.)
My cat is not faring so well, she has feline pancreatitis which can be fatal. Things are very much in the balance at the moment. She spent 48 hours at the vets but we have her at home now, keeping a close eye on her and trying to pursuade her to eat. We have no intention of letting her suffer for any longer than necessary. It's a sad time. I'm sorry to bore people with my cat whoes, I realize that not everyone on this forum is a cat lover.
Hope your cat has fared better Victoria and I'm so sorry Tootles that you lost yours, but 14yrs is a good age and I'm sure he/she had a good life with you.