Although hedgehogs love bread and milk unfortunately milk is too high in lactose for the hedgehogs stomach and it can cause all manner of probelms. So what follows is a list of ideal foods for hedgehogs, all of which are easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive :
- Tinned dog or cat food
- Dry cat or dog food
- Muesli
- Raw meat
- Crusted biscuits
- Specialty dry and wet hedgehog food (often available from local pet stores)
- Mealworms
Make Them a Treat
If you want to really treat your hedgehog then why not go one step further and make them a real treat with this simple recipe:
- 400 gram tin of cat or dog food
- 100 grams chopped unsalted peanuts and/or sultana and/or raisins
- 100 grams of kitten or puppy biscuits (no fishy flavours)
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. It should last you a few days and will keep well if kept in the fridge in an airtight container.
Planning to Go on Holiday
If you are going on holiday then you will have to either reduce the amount of food you feed over a few weeks prior to going away or ask a neighbour to feed for you. Hedgehogs come to rely on the food you put out and it can cause problems if it just disappears.
Making a Feeding Station for Your Hedgehog
Now you've made your hedgehog a treat you don't want your cat or your neighbours cat eating it before the hedgehog gets a chance. So why not make a hedgehog feeding station. To do this you will need:
- Blue plastic mushroom box (you can get these free from the local supermarket)
- Scissors
- Pen or pencil
- A brick or something heavy
- A large coffee jar lid
- A plate
On one of the short ends and along the top edge mark out a hole measuring 10cm by 10cm (4" x 4") and carefully cut out. Now place in your garden near to where you saw your hedgehog and place the brick on top. Just as it is getting dark fill the lid with water and the plate with some food and place at the back. If you are lucky you will see the hedgehog disappear inside to enjoy its tea in peace.
Note: A stackable storage box will also do the job just as well.
If you would like to find out more about hedgehogs and how to help them then check out British Hedgehog Preservation Society or Spikes Site.
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