Obviously, if they were living in the wild, insects would be a major source of nutrients for your hog. If the lady had not caught him and brought him in, we dread to think of how he would have suffered in the wild with no help 🙁 If so many hedgehogs are turning up with problems as a result of eating too many mealworms, etc. perhaps some of them are actually, now, using the food as more than just a supplement (the research was quite old). Whilst I appreciate that resources are limited, it seems to me that it would be a simple matter to amend the list of foods and anything which can easily be done to help hedgehogs should be. My feeling is that if we are trying to help hedgehogs, we should give them the best food for them which we can – regardless of whether it is only supplementary feeding.. So does the child who only wants to eat chocolate… but seriously – rescues are admitting an ever increasing volume of hogs with severe dental disease, even in young hogs. How severe you ask? One rescue had a hog with such severe dental disease, the jawbone had become infected and crumbled. Hogs cannot clean their teeth. Sweet sugary foods cause dental decay in other mammals too. PLEASE do not feed these things. Lots of people tend to think the only thing you can feed hedgehogs is cat food, but there are actually lots of things you can feed them.

Still with me? Great. Read on for more answers to the common issues raised by the good folk who feed hedgehogs in their garden….. Apples – eaten in moderation, apples are a deliciously crunchy treat for hedgehogs. They are high in natural sugars, so they should only be given as a treat now and again Processed foods – don’t be tempted to feed your hog some of your leftover dinner, this could be toxic or just increase weight gain We have teamed up with DHLto provide our customers with the best delivery service possible which is both fast and flexible. The only thing the hedgehogs need to drink is water. That is so much easier to access anyway, so why complicate things?

Free delivery on orders over £59

Grapes – grapes can be toxic for hedgehogs and can damage their liver and kidneys. Do not feed your hog grapes under any circumstances It is estimated that we have lost up to 75% of our hedgehogs since the turn of the century. Pressures from urban development, loss of suitable habitat in the wider countryside and decline in food in both areas has meant that what was once a common mammal is now a notable absentee from its former haunts. Much like we have to eat everything in moderation and only indulge in unhealthy foods as treats, hedgehogs should do the same. Hedgehogs need good-quality food with the appropriate calcium balance to avoid this condition. For more information, take a look at: A Guide to Hedgehog Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) A little more about Hedgehogs in the garden. What can I do to help hedgehogs in my garden? My top 4:

If you have a bird feeder with peanuts in, please ensure it is safe and the nuts are not falling out on to the floor, there are little trays you can get to put underneath to catch any loose nuts and seeds. Food for hedgehogs can be left on the floor or in a shallow dish. Relying on their spines for protection hedgehogs are not shy so the dish can be out in the open where you can see and once they have found it they will soon ensure that your diner is part of the evening routine.Place in a shallow dish and put out before dusk in a quiet area of the garden, along with a shallow dish of water. A mature hedgehog can eat about 20g each night. Ingredients

An easier option is dried cat or dog food. this is more easily stored and handled and if kept dry will not smell as strong and attract the wrong clientele. Boxes can be sourced easily from most food shops too and are relatively inexpensive. WildThings® Hedgehog Food has been specially formulated as a complete meal that will benefit the overall health and wellbeing of Hedgehogs. Containing a carefully selected blend of natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals it is a convenient and economical way of supporting the wildlife in your gardens' natural ECO system. WildThings ® Hedgehog food is best placed in a quiet corner of your garden alongside a dish of water providing the perfect addition to nature's fare. It's also delicious so hedgehogs will become regular visitors. Feeding guide Then find a sheltered spot in your garden for a hedgehog feeding station, designed to stop cats, birds and foxes from eating the food. Fill it with lots of hedgehog-safe food and water at sunset, ideally using a hedgehog food bowl and a hedgehog water bowl. Only put out small amounts of food as this is to supplement their diet. If you’re looking to keep a hedgehog as a pet, you’re probably wondering how you would go about feeding them. Well, you came to the right place, this article will discuss all things hedgehog food, what they can eat and what they definitely shouldn’t eat.

Storage

But peanuts and seeds are also not so good for hedgehogs because of the ratio of calcium to phosphorous which, similar to mealworms, but to a slightly lesser extent, can contribute to bone problems. This year, we have already had two admissions prior to little Gherkin, with metabolic bone disease (confirmed by a veterinary surgeon), both barely able to walk, and in pain. Both of these, like Gherkin, were fed large amounts of mealworms. a) The start of this is a very old post (from June 2017) and some of the information which follows is outdated. Since then there have been various posts which are very much more concise. It is unfortunate that this one has been brought to prominence again – not for the first time, as is evident! No (but please read the full answer). Mealworms contain excellent proteins and amino acids that are beneficial in an insectivore’s diet. However, they have a poor calcium : phosphorus ratio meaning they should only be fed as part of a balanced diet. The problem is hedgehogs seem to become addicted to mealworms, eating them to the exclusion of other foods. In the long term, this can result in illness and disease and it is therefore probably better not to feed them at all. Can I feed hedgehogs dry fruit (such as banana chips and raisins)?