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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Hedgehogs what do they eat?

42 replies

MaxHodgeheg · 20/08/2022 00:04

We have a very weird enclosed garden but I've cut some hedgehog sized holes in the fence. I've got a hedge hog house and tonight there's someone in the border!!

I gave him/her some dog food and they had a big drink of water then wandered off and ate a slug im honestly so happy but what kind of food can I buy to support them?

I found an old can of cesar in the cupboard and it was very happy chomping on that for a bit but it can't live on that surely?

OP posts:
Pricklesinperil · 20/08/2022 06:45

Congratulations on your hedgehog visitor! @MaxHodgeheg

Here’s some info from Hedgehog Street who campaign to keep hedgehogs a common and familiar part of British life. Hedgehog Street campaign

What do wild hedgehogs eat?

What supplementary food can I feed hedgehogs?

please, if you haven’t already, register your hedgehog sighting on Hedgehog Street’s Big Hedgehog Map

here’s their video on ten tips to help hedgehogs

Wolfiefan · 20/08/2022 06:57

Our lovely neighbours have a feeding and watering station in their garden. They have rigged up a camera so they can watch the visitors from inside the house! Love it when one stops in here on the way to or from theirs.

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 20/08/2022 07:29

Sarahzb · 20/08/2022 01:56

More protein in cat food - mind you, filled with sugars and wheat. That's wht a lot of cates get diabetes. Like my poor ex-cat😢

Thank you. I wonder why? ie - do cats need more protein?

Pricklesinperil · 20/08/2022 07:37

Also, We have a thread running that is full of hedgehog lovers if anyone would like to join us - Help hedgehogs

Simonjt · 20/08/2022 07:41

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 20/08/2022 07:29

Thank you. I wonder why? ie - do cats need more protein?

Yes, unlike dogs cats are obligate carnivores, the only non-meat food they should be having is the stomach contents of their prey. As they’re obligate carnivores like other cats they have a very poor thirst drive as they are designed to get virtually all fluids from their food, thats why dry food is really bad for their health.

vroc81 · 20/08/2022 07:50

Oh they’re all lovely. Our neighbours built a shed up against our corner fence in early July and I’ve not seen or heard our hog since then so suspect their path has been blocked. ☹️

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 20/08/2022 09:15

Yes, unlike dogs cats are obligate carnivores, the only non-meat food they should be having is the stomach contents of their prey. As they’re obligate carnivores like other cats they have a very poor thirst drive as they are designed to get virtually all fluids from their food, thats why dry food is really bad for their health

Interesting. Thank you.

PepsiMaxandPringleStacks · 20/08/2022 14:29

Sarahzb · 20/08/2022 01:53

Yes Cat food They are omnivores and love a slug. Good. No-one else does...

They only eat slugs as a last resort this is another common misconception!!

hedgehogcabin.info/

Best resource above!!

katepilar · 20/08/2022 14:52

We have a hedgehog visitors and they feed on food scraps left for visiting cats.

And yes, they are cute :)

AgathaMystery · 20/08/2022 14:59

We have 2 Hogs that come every night. If we forget to put the food out they shove the plates round the garden making a racket until we get up and feed them.

MassiveSalad22 · 20/08/2022 15:01

We have one too 😍 and a eufy motion camera to see him ☺️ We have 2 chicken water things in the garden for him and other wildlife. And hedgehog food from pets at home but he seems to be able to do without andsaw a rat eating it once. Which I don’t know how to feel about, I mean if I’m fine with a hog why not a rat?

MassiveSalad22 · 20/08/2022 15:20

This thread is brill, I will get some kitten food and stop the hedgehog food. We first saw our guy during the day in the heatwave so ran out and got the first food I could find as obviously being out in the day he was struggling! He never seems to roam just pops out for food and then goes back towards what I assume is his best behind our conservatory. So it seems he’s here to stay? Seems weird? I thought they roamed. I just registered him on that site linked above too!

MassiveSalad22 · 20/08/2022 15:20

*nest

TheMadGardener · 20/08/2022 15:23

Mine eat WAGS chicken flavoured dry puppy food at the moment and seem quite happy with it. I sometimes buy hedgehog food but puppy food is cheaper. I can't give them cat food as next door's cat will get it, no matter how small the hole! But he leaves the puppy food alone.

megletthesecond · 20/08/2022 15:29

My local hedgehog just munches the slugs.
I leave out a small bowl of water, partially dug into the ground, too.

DeclineandFall · 20/08/2022 15:37

We had one that over wintered in our garage in a big pile of bubble wrap, so I ended up feeding it. Cat food was a hit. We left the garage open a crack so they could leave when they were ready. I miss it.

WildFlowerBees · 20/08/2022 17:28

Kitten kibble, between 100-150g per hedgehog. Tesco own is cheap but they're fussy so be prepared! We have rescues with us and they eat more than my bloody horse I swear!

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