Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Supplementary Feeding Safety

Supplementary feeding can support hedgehogs but requires appropriate food choices to avoid harm.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant - milk causes diarrhoea and dehydration
Bread and milk, once traditional, is harmful to hedgehogs
Appropriate foods include meat-based cat/dog food and specialist hedgehog food
Fresh water alongside food is more beneficial than milk

Welfare Considerations

Inappropriate supplementary food - particularly milk and bread - causes gastrointestinal distress and nutritional deficiency. Well-intentioned feeding with unsuitable foods can harm the hedgehogs people are trying to help.

What You Can Do

Use only appropriate foods if feeding garden hedgehogs
Provide fresh water rather than milk at any time of year
Share evidence-based hedgehog feeding guidance with neighbours