Registered Charity – 1188161
Caring For Hedgehogs
Before you touch any hedgehogs please check our hedgehog care FAQs below to get the correct advice you may not need to intervene at all.
Caring For Hedgehogs
Have you found an injured or abandoned Hedgehog? Before you touch the animal please check our hedgehog care FAQs below to get the correct advice; you may not need to intervene at all.
Remember that wild animals are very different from domestic animals; your dog or cat may be comforted by your presence and gentle stroking; a wild animal will be stressed and frightened by your presence and in some circumstances it may cause more harm than good. Our advice is ALWAYS given putting the animal first. In some circumstances the advice might be to do nothing; in others we may advise you to bring the animal to us. Our care FAQs will talk you through what to do for the best.
If you don’t find the information you need please pick up the phone and call us for advice, our team are more than happy to help and advise.
I HAVE JUST NOTICED A HEDGEHOG IN MY GARDEN. SHOULD I PUT FOOD OUT FOR IT?
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, and so feed during the night. Creating log piles, compost heaps and leaving piles of leaves is a good way of getting natural food sources for wildlife to feast on. If you think you have an underweight juvenile or during periods of drought or cold weather then a plate of dog or cat food and a saucer of water is the best thing to offer. Do not give hedgehogs milk, as they cannot digest it.
THERE'S A HEDGEHOG IN MY GARDEN MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?
Hedgehogs are prone to lung worms and respiratory diseases and most centres will willingly examine a hog if someone is worried about it. Pick it up carefully, using stout gloves and place it in a stout box, lined with towels or newspapers to take to the rescue once we have agreed to see it.
Hedgehog In Distress..
Catch it (using gardening gloves if possible) – Place it in a box or cage indoors, somewhere quiet – Give it a blanket for it to hide under – Put a hot water bottle at the bottom of the box in a towel if possible, ensure there is enough space for the Hedgehog to get off it, should it become too warm (do not let the water bottle go cold as this can do more harm than good) *** Do NOT include a hot water bottle if the Hedgehog is bleeding as this will increase blood flow and therefore blood loss – Provide water – Weigh if possible – Contact the rescue.
MY DOG FOUND A HEDGEHOG IN OUR GARDEN, I CAN’T SEE IF IT IS INJURED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Please pick up the hedgehog, wearing gloves to avoid prickles and place it in a ventilated box. Please call us then bring it to the rescue as soon as possible to be checked over.
I HAVE FOUND A HEDGEHOG THAT HAS A LOT OF FLIES AROUND IT, IS IT OK?
The presence of flies, or their eggs/larvae (small yellow clusters of eggs/maggots) means that the hedgehog has an injury. Please call us & bring the hedgehog to your the rescue for treatment.
Food and Drink..
When helping a Hedgehog it is important to always provide it with a shallow dish of fresh water, but be mindful when offering food. A dehydrated Hedgehog could collapse if it begins to eat as it will redirect what fluid it has left, from its vital organs to help digest the food. Please get advice before providing food if you believe the Hedgehog could be dehydrated.
Never give a Hedgehog milk.
Cat biscuits or wet food that is NOT fish based will be enjoyed by the Hedgehogs.
SOME PEOPLE FEED HEDGEHOGS WITH BREAD AND MILK, I'VE HEARD THIS ISN'T GOOD FOR THEM?
Hedgehogs should never be fed bread and milk. The best food to put out for the hedgehogs is kitten biscuits, meat flavour not fish. This gives the hedgehogs a decent level of protein and the small kibble is easy for them to eat.
I HAVE FOUND AN EXTREMELY LARGE, ROUND HEDGEHOG
Hedgehogs can suffer from a condition called Ballooning, which causes them to bloat up to an unnatural size. It is caused by air getting trapped under their skin, and can hinder the hedgehogs ability to rollup, and to move easily. It is treatable, so please pick up the hedgehog, place it in a box and bring it to the rescue.
Spotting a Hedgehog..
Hedgehog’s are nocturnal animals so if you see one out in the day it tends to be a sign something is wrong.
If it has a mouthful of leaves or is walking ‘with a purpose’ then just keep your eyes peeled for future sightings. Otherwise, the Hedgehog needs help.
If you see a Hedgehog sleeping out in the open it is likely to be ill, it will require urgent help.
THERE'S A HEDGEHOG OUT IN THE GARDEN DURING THE DAY.
a hedgehog out during the day is a sign there is almost certainly something wrong. If the hog is a healthy looking adult and is busy carrying grass and leaves to a dry space, then leave it alone – its nest building.
If it is asleep in the sun, staggering or walking in circles, it needs to get to care as soon as possible. Try and pick it up and put it in a cardboard box or pet carrier lined with newspaper or an old towel. If you haven’t got anything to put it in, ask a neighbour for help, or wrap the animal up in an old towel and put it into a shed or garage to save it wandering off while you make arrangements for its transportation. Call us.
I HAVE SEEN A HEDGEHOG IN MY POND, WILL IT BE OK?
Like many mammals, hedgehogs can swim if they have to, but it is not a natural activity for them. Try and rescue the hedgehog using gloves as they can be very prickly. Once you have rescued the hedgehog it is sensible to provide a slope or ramp so that any future hogs can get out easily.
Hedgehog Injuries..
If a Hedgehog appears to be dragging one or more legs it will require urgent medical assistance. The Hedgehog will need to be treated with care and, if possible when picking it up use something stiff to slide underneath it to minimise the Hedgehog’s movement. The Hedgehog needs your help.
If you find a Hedgehog trapped in netting or caught in anything, you will need to get the Hedgehog to a rescue immediately so it can be cut free and monitored for at least seven days to ensure there are no further complications.
Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool Emergency Contact Numbers
Call Jean on 07577010011 8am till 5pm or our Out-Of-Hours team on 07951613221 5pm till 10pm,
If nobody answers the phone please Leave a Voicemail with a Name and contact Number and we shall call you back.
Please DO NOT use the contact forms on the site if you have found a hedgehog in need of assistance.
Please call one of the numbers above
Contact Hedgehog Rescue Blackpool
