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Hedgehogs in your Garden

Hedgehogs are a useful ally to gardeners. They eat slugs, snails and other pests which can cause damage to plants. They are normally nocturnal and often sleep during the day under a bush or in a patch of long grass. Hedgehogs also hibernate in the winter. When threatened, hedgehogs defend themselves by rolling into a ball, leaving an almost impervious covering of sharp quills.

As gardeners, we rarely see these cute creatures. When we do, there is a temptation to try and help them - especially if they do not immediately roll themselves into their characteristic 'balls'

We hope that this page will give you some information on how to help hedgehogs and, more importantly, when to leave them alone

Hedgehogs that should be left alone

It is normal for healthy hedgehogs to arouse from hibernation for short periods even in cold winter weather, do not assume these hedgehogs need help unless they are underweight or obviously unwell.

Adult females in summer uninjured but found out in daylight (these can be nursing mothers), any large uninjured hedgehogs found (e.g.in winter or in the road) and picked up "for safety" by well meaning people should be put back away from the road but near where found.

Hedgehogs that need help are:

Orphaned hoglets - found out of the nest in day, or when the nest has been destroyed and the mother killed or injured.
Injured hedgehogs - with open wounds, fractures, bites, burns, or trapped in some way.
Sick hedgehogs - usually found out in the day, thin, dehydrated, possibly poisoned, or with breathing problems.
Hedgehogs that are unsteady on their feet (wobbling, rocking) and one with flies around them.
Autumn juveniles - young hedgehogs born late in the year, weighing under 600g from September onwards - especially if out in the day.

Emergencies

If you find an injured hedgehog the first thing to do is to keep the hedgehog warm,

Place on a hot (but not boiling hot) water bottle wrapped in a towel and then put in a cardboard box or recycle box lined with newspaper covered in a blanket in a quiet place to warm up.

Please then phone for help as soon as possible. Click here for a list of carers. Time is so important.
If you cannot contact help, after about an hour you could try to give a little water in a low dish and a saucer of dog or cat food meat-based. Do not feed a hedgehog on milk or bread as these can cause diarrhoea.

ONLY PUT WATER AND FOOD DOWN WHEN THE HEDGEHOG HAS WARMED UP.

Check if the hedgehog is dehydrated. If you pull up a few spines, does the skin spring back into place when you let go or do they stay put? If the skin does not spring back then it may be dehydrated.

Once warm you can give the hedgehog fluids (all given at normal body temperature): orally: Lectade, Duphalyte, Dioralyte, flucose/honey in warm water.

International Rehydrating Fluid Recipe: 1 tablespoon sugar. 1 teaspon salt in 1 litre of warm water fed by syringe into the mouth and also left in bowl instead of water.

It is essential when giving fluids orally that the hedgehog is warm and responsive enough to swallow. Otherwise sterile fluids will need to be adminstered by your Hedgehog carer or Vet.

This information was supplied by "Help A Hedgehog Hospital"
Ardmore, Bourne Lane, Brimscombe, Nr. Stroud. GLOS. GL5 2RQ
01453 886 424
www.helpahedgehog.org