Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hedgehog Autumn Weight Preparation

Autumn is critical for hedgehog welfare as animals need to build sufficient body weight to survive hibernation - many fail and die.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs need to weigh at least 600g before hibernation to survive winter
Animals under 450g in October are unlikely to survive without supplementary feeding
Hedgehogs can be seen in daylight in autumn - this may indicate a struggling individual
Supplementary feeding with cat food, mealworms, or hedgehog-specific food can be life-saving
Cold snaps in October before animals have hibernated increase mortality risk significantly

Welfare Considerations

Autumn starvation is a leading cause of hedgehog mortality, particularly in years when natural invertebrate food is scarce. Community support through feeding and habitat provision can save individual lives and support population recovery.

What You Can Do

Put out supplementary food for hedgehogs in autumn, especially cat or dog food
Weigh any hedgehogs found to check if they need support before winter
Contact a hedgehog rescue if you find an underweight animal in late autumn