We have seen a lot of young, injured, or chilly hedgehogs brought into the practice in recent weeks by concerned members of the public. This time of year, our prickly friends should be making and changing nests, hunting for food in the daytime and evening and young leaving their family. If you see one out and about in the daytime, it likely needs some attention. If you find a nest of hoglets, or a singular adult, do not touch them and cover them back up. If you find an injured hedgehog, or hoglet, out of it’s nest, very gently pick them up (with a towel or gloves) and bring them indoors or straight to the vets in a box. If you find a hedgehog which looks like its sleeping or ‘dead’, it may well be trying to hibernate. Please place them somewhere safe and covered (e.g. in a hedge or shrub or nesting box) and keep a close eye on it for 24-48hrs, minimising any further handling, if possible.
What you can do at home
Offer water in a shallow bowl and either wet or dry, cat or dog food (not fish based). Do not feed them milk. They are very lactose intolerant, and it will cause diarrhoea. Ensure they are kept warm. If you notice any injuries, or ticks, or they’re just not behaving normally (stumbling, wobbling or lame), please call the practice on 01423 900449. We have some very lovely clients who rehabilitate hedgehogs and release them once they’re a healthy weight and thriving. However, they are territorial, so if we feel they are well enough, we will ask you to place them back where they were found.
Hedgehog numbers are at a decline in the UK. There are lots of simple things you can do to help them out:
- avoid using pesticides to encourage insect numbers
- keep pets away from any potential nesting sites during breeding season (spring through autumn)
- check under hedges, bonfires or overgrown areas before using lawnmowers and strimmers to prevent accidental injury
- place ‘hedgehog-sized’ gaps in fences and maintain hedges and covered areas to encourage nesting
- put out appropriate food and water in areas of known hedgehog activity
Wildlife Aid Foundation | European hedghehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
Found a hedgehog? britishhedgehogs.org.uk