Fact Sheets

Feeding

Hedgehogs are carnivorous, so the best thing to give to any hedgehog in your garden is cat (non fish varieties) or dog food and plenty of fresh drinking water (in bowls that they cannot drown in). Bread and milk should not be given, as this is bad for them.

Ponds

If you have a pond in your garden then please make sure that if a hedgehog falls in, it is able to climb out. Hedgehogs are very good swimmers, but if they cannot get out of a pond or even a swimming pool, they will eventually get exhausted and drown. The easiest way to ensure that a hedgehog can get out is to make it hedgehog friendly by making sure the sides gently slope inwards to the pond so as they have a foot hold to climb out; or even a few planks of wood sloping out of the pond to enable them to climb up.

Out during the day

Hedgehogs are nocturnal so they should not be out during the day. If the hog is a healthy looking adult and is busy carrying grass and leaves to a dry place, then please leave it alone - its nest has been disturbed and it is building another one.

If it is asleep in the sun, staggering, walking in circles and generally looking unwell then it needs to get medical help as soon as possible. If possible pick it up and put it in a cardboard box or pet carrier lined with either an old towel or newspaper and then get it to your nearest wildlife carer or vets. If you haven't got anything to put the hog in then just wrap it up in an old towel and put it in either your garden shed or garage to stop it wandering off until you have chance to take it to the vets or wildlife carer.

Baby Hedgehogs out of their nests

If you come across any baby hedgehogs calling for their mother out of their nests in the daylight, then pick them up and wrap them carefully in warm towels and contact your nearest rescue centre or local vets. Make sure that the babies are kept warm as the cold can kill.

Juvenile hedgehogs out in the winter

For a hedgehog to survive the winter it needs to be over 600g to survive hibernation. If a small hedgehog is out and about is less than 600g, then pick it up and contact your local rescue centre or vets who be able to advise what you should do next. Any young hedgehog out during the day needs prompt help.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Do not put down any slug pellets or use pesticides, as this will poison any hedgehog that comes into your garden.

Bonfires

Please check all bonfires before setting them alight - a hedgehog could be nesting in there. Ideally, make the bonfire the same day as you are going to light it.