Safe Foods to Offer Garden Hedgehogs
When considering what to give hedgehogs, prioritise their natural diet and provide supplementary food with caution. The most appropriate offerings are dry cat or dog food, or specialised hedgehog food. These options mimic the protein and fat content they would find naturally. Always place food in a shallow dish, away from potential predators and where it won't be easily contaminated. Offering fresh, clean water is equally vital, especially during dry spells. A shallow dish of water should be available alongside any food provided.
- Dry cat or dog food is a suitable supplement.
- Specialised hedgehog food provides balanced nutrition.
- Always offer fresh, clean water.
- Avoid milk and bread products entirely.
- Feed in a safe, accessible location.
Many people wish to help hedgehogs, and feeding them can be a rewarding experience. However, it's important to get it right. Hedgehogs are nocturnal insectivores, their diet naturally consisting of beetles, caterpillars, worms, and slugs. When natural prey is scarce, supplemental feeding can be beneficial, but only with the correct items. The aim is to provide a nutritious, easily digestible food that supports their energy needs without causing harm or dependency.
Choosing the Right Dry Food
Opt for high-quality, plain, dry cat or dog food. Look for options with a high protein content (around 30%) and moderate fat (around 10-20%). Avoid foods with artificial colours, flavours, or added sugars, as these can be detrimental to a hedgehog's health. Smaller kibble sizes are preferable as they are easier for hedgehogs to manage. Some pet food brands offer grain-free formulations, which can also be a good choice, as a hedgehog's digestive system is not well-adapted to large amounts of grain.
Specialised Hedgehog Foods
There are now many commercially available foods specifically formulated for hedgehogs. These are often a good bet because they are designed to meet the precise nutritional requirements of these animals. They typically contain a blend of dried insects, meats, and other essential nutrients. When purchasing, check the ingredients list to ensure it is made from quality sources and free from artificial additives. These foods are generally more expensive than standard pet food but offer a more tailored solution for supplementary feeding.
Water: A Critical Component
Dehydration is a serious risk for hedgehogs, particularly during warmer months or prolonged dry spells. A constant supply of fresh, clean water is as important, if not more so, than food. Use a shallow, heavy dish that won't tip over easily and is difficult for predators to access. Clean the water dish daily to prevent the build-up of bacteria and algae. If the weather is particularly hot, consider adding a few ice cubes to the water to keep it cool.
Foods to Strictly Avoid Giving Hedgehogs
It's as important to know what *not* to give hedgehogs as it is to know what they can eat. Certain common foods, while seemingly harmless, can cause significant digestive upset, malnutrition, or even be fatal. The most critical items to avoid are milk and dairy products. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, and consuming milk can lead to severe diarrhoea and dehydration. Likewise, bread offers little nutritional value and can swell in their stomachs, causing discomfort and potential blockages. These are often cited as common mistakes people make when trying to help, but they do more harm than good.
Peanuts and other nuts should also be avoided. While hedgehogs might eat them if offered, they are high in fat and can be a choking hazard, especially if whole. They do not form part of a natural hedgehog diet and can lead to obesity or other health issues if fed regularly. Similarly, avoid offering slugs or snails directly, as they can carry lungworm parasites that are harmful to hedgehogs. If you find slugs in your garden, it's generally better to let hedgehogs find and eat them naturally if they choose to.
The Dangers of Milk and Bread
Many people still mistakenly believe that leaving out saucers of milk is a kind gesture. However, this is a critical error that can have severe consequences. Hedgehogs lack the enzyme lactase to properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. This leads to stomach cramps, vomiting, and severe diarrhoea, which can be fatal due to dehydration. The same applies to cream and other dairy products. Bread is similarly problematic, providing very few nutrients and acting as a filler. It can cause bloating and digestive issues without offering any real sustenance.
Other Foods to Keep Away
Beyond milk and bread, there are other items that should never be offered. These include:
- Fish: While hedgehogs are insectivores, feeding them fish can lead to a deficiency in Vitamin B1 (thiamine) due to an enzyme called thiaminase present in raw fish.
- Cooked meats and bones: These can be difficult to digest, pose a choking risk, and bones can cause internal damage.
- Fruit and vegetables: Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores. While they might nibble on fallen fruit in the wild, these are not a primary food source and can lead to digestive upset.
- Salty or sugary snacks: Human processed foods are entirely unsuitable and can be toxic.
It is always best to stick to what is known to be safe and beneficial, rather than experimenting with foods that might cause harm.
Handling and Feeding Stations
If you decide to provide food, consider setting up a feeding station. This can be as simple as a designated spot in your garden where food is placed. To protect the food from scavenging birds or squirrels, and to prevent hedgehogs from getting trapped, a small feeding station made from a plastic storage box or wooden structure with an entrance tunnel can be very effective. Ensure there are no sharp edges and that the hedgehog can easily get in and out. This also helps in monitoring how much is being eaten and by whom. When setting up a feeding station, make sure it is easily accessible for the hedgehog and placed in a sheltered location, away from busy pathways or potential predators. Remember that the goal is to supplement, not replace, their natural foraging behaviour.
Understanding Hedgehog Dietary Needs
Hedgehogs are naturally adapted to consume a varied diet of invertebrates. Their digestive systems are optimised for high-protein, moderately high-fat foods found in insects and grubs. When we supplement their diet, we should aim to replicate this nutritional profile as closely as possible. A food that is too low in protein or too high in fat can lead to long-term health problems, including obesity or organ damage.
The role of supplementary feeding is primarily to help hedgehogs through lean periods, such as droughts when insect populations drop, or during the autumn when they need to build up sufficient fat reserves for hibernation. It is not intended to make them reliant on human handouts or to encourage them to skip their natural foraging. Overfeeding can also be detrimental, leading to obesity which can impair their ability to hibernate effectively or even to move efficiently. Therefore, moderation and appropriate food choices are key.
The Impact of Natural Food Scarcity
Urbanisation, habitat loss, and the widespread use of pesticides have significantly reduced the natural food sources available to hedgehogs. Many gardens, once rich hunting grounds for beetles, worms, and slugs, are now sterile environments. This scarcity means that many hedgehogs struggle to find enough food to survive, particularly young hoglets who are still learning to forage. Supplementary feeding, when done correctly, can therefore play a vital role in helping to conserve local hedgehog populations. It offers a lifeline when natural food is scarce.
The most effective way to help hedgehogs is by creating a wildlife-friendly garden, but careful supplementary feeding can bridge critical gaps.
Hibernation Preparations
As autumn approaches, hedgehogs begin to eat more to gain weight for hibernation. A healthy adult hedgehog needs to weigh at least 600g, and preferably 750g or more, before entering hibernation. If you notice a hedgehog that appears underweight in late autumn, offering a good quality food can be particularly helpful. However, do not feed hedgehogs after they have started to hibernate, as their metabolism slows down significantly, and they cannot digest the food effectively.
Check if the hedgehog is actively foraging for food before leaving out a substantial amount; a hog that is lethargic or reluctant to move in cooler weather might be unwell rather than just hungry.
When to Seek Expert Advice
If you regularly see a hedgehog during the day, or if a hedgehog appears injured, sick, or is noticeably underweight (ribs showing, spine prominent) outside of hibernation periods, it's important to seek professional help. Contact a local wildlife rescue organisation or vet. They can provide specific advice tailored to the hedgehog's condition and ensure it receives appropriate care. Many organisations offer guidance on what to do, and some may be able to collect an animal in distress. Remember, while we can help by providing safe food and water, professional veterinary or wildlife rehabilitation care is often necessary for sick or injured individuals.
Creating a Welcoming Habitat for Hedgehogs
Beyond what to give hedgehogs in terms of food and water, providing suitable habitat is equally crucial for their survival and well-being. A hedgehog-friendly garden offers shelter, nesting sites, and safe passage. Simple actions can make a significant difference to your local hedgehog population, supporting their natural behaviours and reducing risks.
Hedgehogs need safe places to shelter and build nests, especially for hibernation during the winter months. Leaving piles of logs, leaves, or compost heaps undisturbed in a quiet corner of the garden can provide these vital refuges. Similarly, ensuring hedgehogs can move freely between gardens is important. A gap of about 13cm x 13cm (5 inches x 5 inches) in fences or walls, often called a 'hedgehog highway', allows them to travel across their territory in search of food and mates, and to escape danger.
Nesting and Hibernation Sites
Hedgehogs typically build nests out of dry leaves, grass, and moss. They often use dense vegetation, under sheds, or in compost heaps for protection. If your garden is too tidy, they may struggle to find suitable locations. You can help by creating a dedicated log pile or leaving a section of your garden a little wild. Avoid using slug pellets or other garden chemicals, as these can contaminate nesting materials or directly harm hedgehogs if ingested.
When considering how to build a home for hedgehogs, a purpose-built hedgehog house can offer excellent protection. These are usually made of wood and designed with an entrance tunnel to deter predators. Place the house in a quiet, sheltered spot, facing away from prevailing winds, and cover it with leaves and soil to make it feel more natural and secure. It's important to ensure the house is dry and well-ventilated.
Garden Safety and Access
Many garden hazards can be avoided with a little awareness. Deep water features without a shallow escape route can be death traps. Ensure ponds have sloping sides or a ramp, like a piece of wood or netting, that a hedgehog can climb out of. Similarly, check for potential entrapments like netting or discarded containers. Garden machinery, such as lawnmowers and strimmers, should be used with extreme caution, especially at dusk and dawn when hedgehogs are most active. It is advisable to check areas thoroughly before mowing or strimming.
If you use netting in your garden for fruit cages or ponds, ensure it is chicken wire or specifically designed garden netting with small holes, and consider lifting it or pegging it down firmly at night to prevent hedgehogs becoming entangled.
Encouraging Natural Prey
While supplementary feeding is valuable, encouraging the natural insect population in your garden is the most sustainable way to support hedgehogs. Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and slug pellets, as these kill the insects hedgehogs rely on and can poison them directly. Planting native wildflowers and providing habitats for invertebrates, such as log piles and leaf litter, will naturally increase the hedgehog's food supply. Consider creating a wildflower patch or allowing a section of your lawn to grow long. This not only benefits hedgehogs but also supports a wider range of biodiversity in your garden.