Should you put hedgehog food in a hedgehog house?

Table of Contents

Putting food inside a hedgehog house is generally not recommended, as it can attract unwanted guests and potentially harm the hedgehogs. Therefore, it’s generally best to avoid placing food directly inside the house.

Introduction: Understanding Hedgehog Housing and Feeding

Hedgehog populations are sadly in decline across many regions, making providing suitable habitats and supplementary feeding increasingly vital. One way to assist these prickly creatures is by offering a hedgehog house – a safe haven from predators and harsh weather. However, how we use these houses to support hedgehogs is crucial, and a key question arises: Should you put hedgehog food in a hedgehog house? Understanding the nuances of hedgehog behavior and best practices for their care is essential to ensuring we are truly helping them thrive.

Why Hedgehogs Need Our Help

Before we delve into the specifics of feeding, it’s important to understand why hedgehogs need our help in the first place. Habitat loss, pesticide use reducing their food sources, and road traffic collisions all contribute to their declining numbers. Gardens can become vital refuges for these creatures, providing shelter, food, and safe passage.

The Purpose of a Hedgehog House

A hedgehog house primarily serves as a safe and secure shelter. It provides:

Protection from predators like badgers and foxes.
A warm and dry place to nest during the winter hibernation period.
A safe space for raising hoglets (baby hedgehogs).
Refuge from extreme weather conditions.

The Downside of Placing Food Inside

While the intention behind placing food inside a hedgehog house is often good, there are significant drawbacks:

Attracting Unwanted Guests: Food inside the house can attract rodents, cats, foxes, and other animals, which may compete with or even predate on the hedgehogs.
Hygiene Issues: Uneaten food can rot and attract flies, potentially leading to unsanitary conditions and making the house unsuitable for hedgehogs.
Dependency: While supplemental feeding is generally a good idea, making food constantly available inside the house can discourage natural foraging behavior.
Risk of Harmful Food: Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, and some foods are harmful to them. Food left in the house might go unnoticed and cause illness.
Disturbance during Hibernation: Placing food inside, especially during late autumn/early winter, can disrupt their hibernation.

Best Practices for Feeding Hedgehogs

So, if you shouldn’t put food inside the house, how should you feed hedgehogs?

Create a Feeding Station: Place a feeding station near the hedgehog house, but not directly inside. This can be a covered dish or a simple feeding bowl.
Offer Appropriate Food: Hedgehog-specific food (available in pet stores) is ideal. Cat or dog food (meat-based, without gravy or fish) is also acceptable. Never give hedgehogs milk, bread, or avocado.
Maintain Hygiene: Regularly clean the feeding station to prevent the buildup of bacteria and deter pests.
Provide Water: Always provide a shallow dish of fresh water.
Feed at Dusk: Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so feeding them at dusk aligns with their natural feeding patterns.
Monitor Consumption: Observe how much food is being consumed to avoid overfeeding or attracting unwanted visitors.

Understanding Hedgehog Diet

Understanding what constitutes a healthy hedgehog diet is crucial:

Food Category	Acceptable Options	Foods to Avoid
:—————-	:———————————-	:—————–
Main Food Source	Hedgehog-specific food, meaty cat/dog food (no fish or gravy)	Milk, bread, avocado, mealworms as a primary food source
Treats (in moderation)	Cooked (unseasoned) chicken, scrambled eggs	Sweet treats, salty snacks
Water	Fresh, clean water	Milk, sugary drinks

Creating an Ideal Hedgehog Habitat

Besides food, providing a suitable habitat is essential. This includes:

Leaving Patches of Wildness: Allow some areas of your garden to grow wild, providing natural foraging opportunities.
Providing Leaf Piles: Hedgehogs love to nest in leaf piles.
Ensuring Safe Access: Make sure hedgehogs can easily access your garden through gaps in fences or hedges.
Avoiding Pesticides: Pesticides can harm hedgehogs and reduce their food supply.
Checking Before Strimming/Mowing: Always check long grass and undergrowth for hedgehogs before using strimmers or mowers.
Providing a Shallow Pond or Water Source: Ensure that any water source has a means for hedgehogs to escape should they fall in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it harmful to put milk out for hedgehogs?

Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and cannot digest cow’s milk properly. Feeding them milk can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, and even death. Always provide fresh, clean water instead.

What kind of cat or dog food is safe for hedgehogs?

Choose meat-based cat or dog food (wet or dry) that does not contain fish, gravy, or high levels of sugar. Look for options with a high percentage of meat protein.

Can I feed hedgehogs mealworms?

Mealworms can be offered as an occasional treat, but they should not be a primary food source. They are high in phosphorus and low in calcium, which can lead to metabolic bone disease if consumed in excess.

How often should I clean a hedgehog house?

A hedgehog house should be cleaned at least once a year, preferably in the spring after hibernation season is over. Wear gloves and a mask, and use hot water to scrub the inside of the house. Avoid using strong chemicals.

What do I do if I find a hedgehog out during the day?

Finding a hedgehog out during the day is often a sign that it is sick, injured, or dehydrated. Contact a local wildlife rescue or hedgehog rescue organization for advice.

How can I tell if a hedgehog is hibernating in my hedgehog house?

Signs of hibernation include: the hedgehog house appears undisturbed for extended periods, you might find a tightly sealed entrance with leaves or other materials, and the house feels significantly colder than the surrounding environment. Do not disturb the house during hibernation season (typically November to March).

Is it okay to handle a hedgehog if I find one in my garden?

It’s generally best to avoid handling hedgehogs unless it’s absolutely necessary (e.g., to move them to a safer location or to take them to a vet). If you must handle a hedgehog, wear thick gloves to protect yourself from their spines.

How can I make my garden more hedgehog-friendly?

Make your garden hedgehog-friendly by: leaving patches of wildness, providing leaf piles, ensuring safe access, avoiding pesticides, checking before strimming/mowing, and providing a shallow dish of water. A variety of plants can also attract insects, which are a natural food source for hedgehogs.

What should I do if I find a baby hedgehog (hoglet) on its own?

If you find a hoglet on its own, observe it from a distance for a few hours to see if the mother returns. If the hoglet appears to be injured, cold, or is still alone after several hours, contact a local wildlife rescue organization.

How can I prevent hedgehogs from falling into ponds or swimming pools?

To prevent hedgehogs from falling into ponds or swimming pools, ensure that there is a ramp or sloping side that they can use to climb out. You can also place a partially submerged log or rock in the water as an escape route.

Is feeding hedgehogs making them dependent?

Supplemental feeding can help hedgehogs, but it’s important to do it responsibly. Avoid overfeeding and ensure that hedgehogs still have access to natural food sources in your garden. The goal is to supplement their diet, not replace it entirely.

What if I’ve been putting food in the hedgehog house; should I stop immediately?

Yes, you should stop putting food in the hedgehog house immediately based on the factors described above. Clean the inside of the house to remove any remaining food residue, and begin offering food in a separate feeding station near the house instead. Observe the feeding station regularly to ensure other animals aren’t taking the food. This is the best way to help and protect hedgehogs.