If you’re lucky enough to have a little spikey friend visiting your garden then there’s a way you can get on better terms with them – feed them!
Sadly, hedgehogs are facing troubling times as the UK’s population has seen a decrease of two-thirds in the last 25 years.
So if your garden has found itself a new resident recently, or you’re trying to attract a hedgehog, it’s time to take extra care of them by offering them some food and water.
And it’s surprisingly easy to do and something they, and the natural world, will love you for.
Here’s everything you need to know about feeding hedgehogs from their diet, when to feed them, and the best way to do it.
What do hedgehogs eat?
Typically a hedgehog’s diet is made up of insects including beetles, earwigs, earthworms, and caterpillars.
It’s thought the decrease in bugs because of pesticides and agricultural changes, is one main reason behind the decrease in hedgehogs.
So if you want to make sure your garden pet is getting plenty to eat, you can offer them meat-based cat or dog food, specially made hedgehog food from garden centres, or even cat biscuits.
If a hedgehog is very young – roughly apple-sized – you’ll need to soak the biscuits in water first.
Wildlife experts from the Woodland Trust also advise putting out a shallow dish of water, especially in the summer months.
What not to feed hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs are described by the Woodland Trust as ‘opportunist eaters’ so will eat most things they’re presented with, however, there are a few foods they should avoid altogether.
Milk and dairy are a big no for the garden creatures as they’re actually lactose intolerant.
Experts also discourage the giving of bread as it has very little nutritional value.
Mealworms are also off the food list as it’s thought they can cause health problems.
When is the best time to feed hedgehogs?
Spring is a useful feeding time so they can get refills after waking up from their long sleep.
Summer and autumn’s hotter weather makes water and food extra important as they find their natural food supplies decrease more.
How do you feed hedgehogs?
A small and shallow dish with the above recommendations on will suit the hedgehogs perfectly.
Ensure you clean up or cover leftovers as you go to avoid any other extra, unwanted, garden guests.
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