Found a Hedgehog?
When to help:
What to do:
Thank you for caring!
- Hedgehog is out during daylight
- Hedgehog appears 'wobbly', larthargic or cannot stand
- Hedgehog is injured (may shout/scream in pain) e.g. may be dragging legs or have a visible wound
- Hedgehog has more than around 12 ticks on it
- Hedgehog is very tiny & out on its own with no sign of its mother (may make high-pitched 'peeping' noises)
- Late Autumn only: Hedgehog weighs less than 600g (hedgehogs need to be 600-650g to hibernate safely. Smaller hogs will need over-wintering).
What to do:
- Using thick gloves or an old towel, carefully pick up the hedgehog (beware, their spikes can hurt!)
- Place the hedgehog in a cat carrier or similar, or use a high sided box (hogs are good climbers, make sure it cannot escape!)
- Ring your nearest hedgehog rescue for advice
- Offer water in a shallow dish & some cat or dog food (wet or dry but no gravy) - please never feed them bread or milk
- Wrapping a hot water bottle in a thick towel may help prevent shock & hypothermia (make sure the hedgehog can get away from the heat if it wants to)
- Please do not leave the hedgehog outside in a cold shed or garage for days without ringing a rescue. Time is of the essence for many poorly hogs! If you cannot get through to a rescue, take the hedgehog to your nearest vet, who have a duty to help by law (you will not have to pay) & hopefully will be able to pass it to a rescue for rehabilitation.
Thank you for caring!