Hedgehog Food & Houses

Hedgehog Food, Houses, and How to Help Hedgehogs in Your Garden

Once a familiar sight in gardens, hedgehogs are sadly becoming less common across the country. In some areas, rural populations have declined by as much as three-quarters over the past 20 years, making it more important than ever to support these much-loved mammals. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do right in our own gardens to help hedgehogs thrive.

What Do Hedgehogs Eat?

Hedgehogs are insectivores, feeding on beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, etc. When natural food is scarce, especially before and after hibernation, offering supplementary food can make a significant difference to their survival. Our specialist hedgehog food provides a balanced, energy-rich diet that’s easy for hedgehogs to digest. Hedgehogs can also enjoy small portions of high-quality meat-based pet food. It’s very important to offer fresh water for wildlife all year round. Please ensure food and water bowls are kept clean., 

Creating a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden

Helping hedgehogs is about more than just feeding them. It’s crucial to give hedgehogs the freedom to roam safely between gardens. Small gaps in fences or walls, ideally measuring 13cm x 13cm square, create hedgehog highways that allow hedgehogs to forage, find mates and reach nesting sites. Some new housing developments are starting to include these features in their landscaping, offering a simple but powerful way to support hedgehog populations.

Hedgehog Houses and Safe Nesting

Hedgehogs need quiet, sheltered spaces to rest, rear young and hibernate safely. Natural habitats like log piles and leaf litter are helpful, but a well-designed hedgehog house provides added protection from predators and harsh weather. Our range of hedgehog houses, including spacious designs for larger or pregnant hedgehogs, offers features such as predator-resistant entrances, built-in ventilation, and removable roofs for easy cleaning (please never clean if there is a hedgehog in residence). Choosing the right hedgehog shelter ensures hedgehogs have a safe place to nest and hibernate all year round.

When placing a hedgehog house, select a quiet, shady spot beneath permanent vegetation like a hedge, shrubs, or trees. 

Helping Hedgehogs in Autumn and Winter

Autumn is a vital time for hedgehogs as they prepare for hibernation. Before their long winter sleep, they need to build up fat reserves, so offering good-quality hedgehog food each evening can help them gain the weight they need. At the same time, hedgehogs search for nesting materials. Leaving leaf piles, brushwood or deadwood in a quiet corner of your garden gives them a safe place to build a warm, protective winter nest.

By providing food, shelter, and safe access routes, you can play a vital part in helping hedgehogs survive the colder months and return to your garden in spring. Whether it’s installing a hedgehog house, putting out nutritious hedgehog food and water, or creating hedgehog highways, every small step makes a real difference for these iconic creatures.