Garden Hedgehog Feeding: Best Practice and Welfare

Supplementary feeding of garden hedgehogs can significantly improve their welfare especially in autumn when building pre-hibernation fat reserves, but requires following best practice guidelines.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs found underweight in autumn face high mortality during hibernation without intervention
The ideal supplementary food is wet cat or dog food in meat-based flavors
Bread and milk cause digestive problems and should never be offered to hedgehogs
A hedgehog weighing under 600g in October is at risk of not surviving hibernation

Welfare Considerations

Supplementary feeding in gardens provides genuine welfare benefits for hedgehogs, particularly for juveniles and late-season individuals building fat reserves before hibernation. The timing of autumn food availability significantly affects winter survival rates. However, improper feeding can cause harm. Bread causes gastric fermentation and bloating. Milk causes diarrhea as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant. Mealworms and peanuts offered in excess cause metabolic bone disease due to calcium-phosphorus imbalance. Bowls left out during the day attract rats and flies. Purpose-made hedgehog food and high-quality wet cat food in meat flavors are appropriate choices. Offering a small amount every evening and removing any remaining food in the morning reduces pest attraction.

What You Can Do

Put out a small amount of wet cat food or hedgehog food each evening in autumn
Never offer bread, milk, mealworms in excess, or sugary foods to hedgehogs
Weigh any hedgehog that seems underweight in October and contact a rescue if under 600g
Provide a log pile or hedgehog house for shelter and potential hibernation
Create a hedgehog feeding station with a small entrance that excludes cats and dogs