Wild Hedgehog Supplementary Feeding: Benefits and Risks

Supplementary feeding of wild hedgehogs has become widespread in the UK, with millions of households providing food. Understanding what helps versus harms these animals is essential for supporting declining populations.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined by over 50% since the 1970s, with urban populations now showing some stabilisation
Supplementary feeding can support individual hedgehogs through food scarcity periods such as late autumn and drought summers
Unsuitable foods including bread, milk, and mealworms in excess can cause nutritional imbalances and metabolic bone disease
Cat or dog food (meat-based, not fish) and specialist hedgehog food are the safest supplementary options
Feeding stations reduce predation risk from foxes and domestic animals by providing sheltered access
Overreliance on supplementary food may reduce foraging behaviour and natural insect intake

Welfare Considerations

While well-intentioned, inappropriate supplementary feeding can cause real harm to hedgehogs. Mealworms fed in excess cause a calcium-phosphorus imbalance leading to metabolic bone disease, resulting in limb weakness and skeletal deformities. Bread and cows' milk cause digestive upset and diarrhoea. Providing appropriate food in clean dishes, changed regularly to prevent mould, combined with fresh water, offers genuine welfare benefit. Feeding stations positioned in sheltered spots with small entrance holes exclude cats and foxes while allowing hedgehog access. Seasonal adjustment matters: reducing supplementary feeding in summer encourages natural insect foraging, while autumn feeding supports pre-hibernation weight gain.

What You Can Do

Feed hedgehogs only suitable foods: meat-based cat or dog food, specialist hedgehog biscuits, or crushed dog biscuits
Always provide fresh water alongside food - never milk
Use a purpose-built feeding station or weighted box with small access hole to exclude cats
Clean feeding equipment regularly to prevent bacterial contamination
Record hedgehog visits and report sightings to hedgehog mapping projects
Create hedgehog highways by cutting small gaps in garden fences to allow movement between gardens