Feed hedgehogs

Provide shallow bowls or containers for hedgehogs to eat and drink from.



Offer meaty hedgehog food from wildlife suppliers, or healthy options like tinned dog or cat food, or crushed dog or cat biscuits.



Create a simple structure to keep the food safe from cats—some people use large plastic containers with two holes, allowing hedgehogs to come and go easily.

Late in the evening, place the food and water bowls anywhere in your garden. You may want to hide the food in a sheltered area to hide it from cats.

 

The best times to offer food and water for hedgehogs are spring (a boost of energy) and autumn (to help build fat reserves), but offering food and water all year round will benefit other wildlife.

If you are lucky enough to find a hedgehog eating or drinking, it’s best to observe them from a distance without lights on. Take videos or photographs – but remember not to use the flash!

Budding conservationists could use a camera trap to record hedgehogs and other wildlife in the area.

Throw away any leftover food and water and clean the bowls each day. Do this outside with hot, soapy water and rinse well.

Replace the food and water late in the evening.