How to create a hedgehog friendly garden
What to feed your hedgehog visitors
Well-meaning animal lovers traditionally put a saucer of bread and milk out for wild hedgehogs, but in fact this can be harmful to them. As a species they are lactose intolerant, which means that milk will make them sick. This can prove very serious, particularly if the animal is already vulnerable.
Bread doesn’t contain any of the nutrients they need and is hard to digest, so should also be avoided.
Instead, leave out saucers of fresh water, and sources of food that will nourish without harming. Special hedgehog food is available from some pet stores, but you can also try puppy or kitten food - meat or chicken varieties only, in jelly rather than gravy. At a push, a little bit of cooked chicken or raw minced meat will do - just make sure it’s cut up into tiny pieces - or even some chopped unsalted nuts.
Most of the time, making your garden hedgehog friendly will be enough to provide a safe environment that will help these fascinating little creatures thrive in the wild. But if you are lucky enough to spot one, it’s worth keeping an eye out for signs that it might be struggling.
As a mainly nocturnal species, if a hedgehog is resting in the sun during the day or seems to be staggering, this is likely to indicate sickness. Likewise, spotting a tiny hedgehog out by itself may be a sign that it’s been orphaned. Tiny hoglets are very vulnerable, particularly when the hibernation period is approaching.
If you spot a hedgehog out during the day or in winter, call your local rescue centre as soon as possible for advice.
Well-meaning animal lovers traditionally put a saucer of bread and milk out for wild hedgehogs, but in fact this can be harmful to them. As a species they are lactose intolerant, which means that milk will make them sick. This can prove very serious, particularly if the animal is already vulnerable.
Bread doesn’t contain any of the nutrients they need and is hard to digest, so should also be avoided.
Instead, leave out saucers of fresh water, and sources of food that will nourish without harming. Special hedgehog food is available from some pet stores, but you can also try puppy or kitten food - meat or chicken varieties only, in jelly rather than gravy. At a push, a little bit of cooked chicken or raw minced meat will do - just make sure it’s cut up into tiny pieces - or even some chopped unsalted nuts.
Most of the time, making your garden hedgehog friendly will be enough to provide a safe environment that will help these fascinating little creatures thrive in the wild. But if you are lucky enough to spot one, it’s worth keeping an eye out for signs that it might be struggling.
As a mainly nocturnal species, if a hedgehog is resting in the sun during the day or seems to be staggering, this is likely to indicate sickness. Likewise, spotting a tiny hedgehog out by itself may be a sign that it’s been orphaned. Tiny hoglets are very vulnerable, particularly when the hibernation period is approaching.
If you spot a hedgehog out during the day or in winter, call your local rescue centre as soon as possible for advice.