Hedgehog advice.

Themadhouse

I've wanted a hog for ages but never got around to it. One appeared in the garden and now it.looks like we have a second. The garden is fairly secure, must be getting in under the small gap in the gate. I would really like to keep them around for the slugs, save my veggies like.
The last couple of nights I've put out some food and fresh water. Am I ok to feed them or should I just leave them to their own devices?

Cherry Blossom

Their natural diet would be insects. I would be inclined to leave them to their own devices and maybe supplement with a high meat content cat food only on very cold nights if they stick around long enough or comming closer to hibernation weather if they look a bit small. They have delicate digestive systems so I wouldn't go overboard on leaving out food they aren't used to unless they need it.

Themadhouse

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

Their natural diet would be insects. I would be inclined to leave them to their own devices and maybe supplement with a high meat content cat food only on very cold nights if they stick around long enough or comming closer to hibernation weather if they look a bit small. They have delicate digestive systems so I wouldn't go overboard on leaving out food they aren't used to unless they need it.

Thank you.:--)

ganmo

its a wild animal, let it be wild

aonb

Put out some dishes of water, or better still dishes that can fill with rainwater.
Lucky you - hedgehogs are lovely

thegreatgonzo

ganmo wrote: »

its a wild animal, let it be wild

I don't think the OP is trying to domesticate it, just keep it around. Leaving food out in the run up to hibernation can increase their chances of surviving the winter but a healthy hedgehog shouldn't need any food left out this time of year