Wildlife Rehabilitation

Hedgehog Rehabilitation Best Practices

Hedgehogs are declining across Europe and face unique welfare challenges during rehabilitation due to their specialized needs and vulnerability to human handling stress.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs can carry up to 500 fleas and multiple ticks but are rarely harmed by them
European hedgehog populations have declined by 30% since 2000
Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant — milk causes fatal diarrhea
They hibernate and require careful temperature management in care
Nocturnal animals, they suffer from stress when handled during the day

Welfare Considerations

Rehabilitating hedgehogs requires strict handling protocols: minimal daytime contact, appropriate warming for hypothermic animals, and correct diet (insects, wet cat food — never milk). Release timing is critical — hedgehogs need sufficient body weight before winter hibernation. Poorly timed or fed hedgehogs rarely survive their first winter.

What You Can Do

Never feed hedgehogs milk — use cat food or specialist hedgehog food
Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if you find an injured hedgehog
Create hedgehog highways by cutting gaps in garden fences
Support British Hedgehog Preservation Society and similar organizations