What to Feed Hedgehogs in Your Garden

What to Feed Hedgehogs in Your Garden

Hedgehogs are charming and beneficial visitors to many UK gardens, helping control pests like slugs and insects naturally. Providing food for hedgehogs can encourage them to stay longer and thrive in your outdoor space. However, it’s important to offer the right diet to support their health and wellbeing.

Natural Diet of Hedgehogs

In the wild, hedgehogs mainly eat insects, worms, slugs, and snails. They also consume small amounts of fruit and occasionally eggs or baby birds. Their diet is high in protein and low in sugar and fat.

Suitable Foods to Offer

If you want to supplement wild feeding, provide hedgehogs with suitable, nutritious options such as high-quality, plain dried or wet cat or dog food. These are rich in protein and easily digestible. Avoid foods with fish or onion as they can be harmful.

Mealworms or dried insects are an excellent treat that closely mimics their natural diet. You can buy these from garden centres or pet shops.

Foods to Avoid

Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, and milk can cause digestive problems or even death. Bread offers no nutritional value and can harm their digestive system.

Sugary or processed human foods, salty snacks and cooked meats should also be avoided.

Providing Water

Always leave out a shallow dish of fresh water. Hedgehogs need access to clean water daily, especially in dry weather. Avoid deep bowls that could cause drowning.

Feeding Tips

Place food and water in a quiet, sheltered spot away from pets and busy areas. Offer food in the evening or at night when hedgehogs are most active. Keep feeding areas clean to avoid attracting rats or unwanted pests.

Encouraging a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden

Beyond feeding, create a welcoming habitat by providing log piles, dense shrubs and leaf litter for shelter and nesting. Avoid using pesticides and slug pellets that can poison hedgehogs.

Final Thoughts

Feeding hedgehogs with the right foods in your garden supports these delightful creatures and helps maintain a healthy garden ecosystem. By providing suitable nutrition and a safe environment, you can enjoy their charming presence while contributing to their conservation.