Grooming

Bathing
If you learn how to bathe your hedgehog properly, it will become much less of an ordeal for you both. Remember, you should only bathe your hog once or twice a month (unless they get very dirty for some reason) to avoid drying out their skin.
First, decide where you want to bathe your hog. In the bathtub? In the sink? In a tray?
Second, fill the area in which you are going to bathe your hog (let's say you decide on the sink) with about 1"-2" of water, depending on the size of your hog. Make sure it is able to easily stand with its head above the water. Make sure the water is warm, but not hot. Put your arm in the water (your hand is less sensitive than your arm) to make sure it is not too hot. Also make sure that the room (in this case the bathroom) is warm so that your hog does not get a chill. Keep an eye on your hog at all times, as it may try to escape.
Third, begin washing your hog. Hedgehogs usually do not like the sound of running water, so at first it may be a good idea to simply pour water from a cup onto your hog. Make sure the water in the cup is warm also. Some acceptable shampoos to use are baby shampoo and kitten shampoo. Simply put a little bit on your hedgehog's back. Then, using a toothbrush, you can gently brush the quills so that the shampoo gets to their skin. Use a cup full of water to wash the shampoo off, and make sure that you don't get any water or shampoo into your hog's eyes, nose, or ears. Make sure you get all of the shampoo off so it doesn't irritate the hedgehog's skin.
Next, you can get ready to take your hog out. First make sure that all of the shampoo is off. Pick your hog up, and wrap him/her in a warm towel. Then hold your hog for a while until it is completely dry. This is very important or your hedgehog will get a chill. After your hedgehog is completely dry, you can put it back in its cage. It may help to give your hedgehog a source of extra warmth, such as a heating pad or a handwarmer (make sure your hog can't get to them) for a couple hours after to be sure your hedgehog doesn't get cold.
*Chances are very good that your hog will poop in the water. You have two options:
1. Simply keep your hedgehog away from the drain and let the water drain out. Then refill the water, making sure your hedgie doesn't get water on its face while you are re-filling the sink/tub/tray. Then continue with the bath.
2. Use a cup to scoop the poop out. This way you don't have to worry about emptying and re-filling the bath.*
Click here to see a hedgehog taking a bath

Quick Bath
Very often, your hedgehog will get "poop boots" from running on its wheel or playing in its litter box. You don't need to give your hog a full out bath just because its feet are dirty, so you can give it a quick bath. There are a couple ways to do this:
1. Take a baby wipe and gently wipe your hog's feet to get all of the poop off. This can also be done with a wet napkin or paper towel.
2. Put about 1/2" of water into the sink or a tray and let your hedgehog run around for a couple minutes. This may be a little harder than the first method, but it helps your hog get used to taking a bath without having to actually take a bath. The water will soften the poop, and then you can use a toothbrush or a paper towel to wipe it off. Then dry your hedgehog's feet and you are done.

Nail Clipping
How often should I clip my hedgehog's nails? It really depends on the hedgehog. Sometimes every few weeks, sometimes once a month, etc... Check your hedgehog's nails weekly to see if they need to be cut. If they grow too long, they will circle back and cut into the hedgehog's foot, making it difficult and painful to walk. You want to cut your hedgehog's nails before this happens.
What should I use to cut my hedgehog's nails? Baby nail clippers work best, but ferret nail clippers or even adult nail clippers will work if you have no choice.
There are many different nail clipping techniques, and here I will list a few. If you have a technique that you use which is not on this list, please send me an e-mail and I will add it.
1. This is what many hedgehog owners do when they first get their hedgehog and they are still unsure about how to cut nails properly-take their hog to the vet. You could plan well and bring your hedgehog in for a wellness check-up when you first get it, and while there ask the vet to cut your hedgehog's nails. The vet may have to gas your hog to do this, but don't worry, it is perfectly safe. Make sure you watch the vet so you will know how to cut your hog's nails when the need arises. Some people always bring their hog to the vet to trim its nails, but this can get expensive after a while.
2. This method works well but is sometimes hard to time correctly-trim your hedgehog's nails while in the bath. You can wait until it is bath time, or simply fill up the sink and only trim nails instead of giving your hog a full bath. As soon as your hog is placed in the water it should unroll. Then gently grab one of its feet and quickly but carefully clip as many nails as possible before your hedgehog tries to pull away. You may only get one or two nails. Simply keep doing this until you have trimmed all the nails that need to be trimmed. Sometimes, if your hedgehog is being a real grump, you may only get one foot or even only a few nails done each day.
3. This method is very similar to the above method. After giving your hedgehog a regular bath, wrap it in a towel and hold it with its back on you. Then gently grab a foot and trim as many nails as possible.
4. This method is exactly the same as above, execpt you would do it whenever the nails need to be clipped instead of waiting for bath time. 5. This method works well but can be difficult to pull off. It only works with some hedgehogs. If you hedgehog often falls asleep on you (or near you while outside of its cage) this is a perfect opportunity to clip its nails. Very gently, so you don't wake up your hog, pick up a foot and trim the nails.
How much of the nail should I cut? You want to cut up to the quick. The quick is the pink part of the nail. If you cut further than the quick the hedgehog will begin to bleed. Putting some cornstarch or "Quick-Stop!" on the nail will stop the bleeding. Cornstarch is preferrable because products such as "Quick-Stop!" may cause stinging.
Click here to see a hedgehog getting its nails cut