FEEDING HEDGEHOGS

- why?

By feeding the Hedgehogs, you will be providing them with a life line.

Whilst Hedgehogs can be fed throughout the year, feeding them during the Winter months is vital. A mild spell of weather in Winter may encourage a Hedgehog to emerge from its nest in a desperate bid to forage for food which may or may not be there.

Early Spring is a good time to feed Hedgehogs because they emerge from hibernation often underweight and in desperate need of food.
Late summer and early autumn are excellent times to feed Hedgehogs because they will be building up their fat reserves for winter hibernation. Underweight Hedgehogs will not be able to hibernate successfully.

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WHAT TO FEED

Hedgehogs can be fussy, but despite this there is a range of food that is safe to feed them:

Tinned or dry 'Spike's Dinner Hedgehog Food'
Cat and dog meat in chicken flavours
Cat and dog biscuits in chicken flavours
Chicken
Mealworms
Minced meat
Chopped peanuts (non-salted)
Weetabix
Unsweetened musili
Clean, fresh water


WHAT NOT TO FEED

Bread and milk*
Salty foods such as bacon and corned beef
Any cat or dog meat that contains fish or gravy

* Hedgehogs are unable to digest bread, which causes their stomach to swell. This can kill the Hedgehog.
Milk sits in a Hedgehog's stomach where bacteria multiply, fundamentally causing the Hedgehog an infection which may prove fatal.
Bread and milk should not be given under any circumstances. It is a dangerous folk tale that can kill Hedgehogs.

Great post Helenx

very good post.

Thank you for this love, it is great to be able to continually learn about them and their little ways.

Hugs

JO xx

Thanks Jo xx