I saw a Hedgehog in my Garden yesterday in the early evening, I've never seen one so early before. Is it normal to see them during day light? I thought it might be looking for food, is there anything I could put out for them?
Although hedgehogs are nocturnal, it is not unusual to see them out & about earlier in the evening at this time of year. As long as it looked healthy, wasn't out in full sun & was moving about ok it was probably fine but it would be worth keeping an eye on it if you see it again. A good quality, meaty cat food is best for them with a few cat biscuits to help keep their teeth in good shape. A supply of fresh water is also important & NEVER feed bread & milk as this is extremely bad for them & can actually kill them.
I saw 2 baby hedgehogs today, one at lunch time and one at 6pm. They didn't seem to well and were wandering aimlessly, so i brought them inside in a card board box. The one was starving and ate loads of cat meat, the other has eaten nothing. What should i do with them? Should i put them back out when its dark, keep them and feed them up for a bit, or will the mum be around still and be looking for them? Also they are full of fleas, is this ok and will they infect my cats and dogs? Thanks
Hi Mel Thanks for joining our forum. I think I have replied to an email from you regarding these 2 hedgehogs but for others benefit: If hedgehogs are out in daylight, it is often a sign of a problem. Look at the faeces (droppings). If they are at all green or mucousy/slimy then there is probably a problem & the hedgehog needs attention as soon as possible. Never give a hedgehog cow's milk - it can be fatal. Pedigree Chum Puppy Food mashed up finely with water until fairly sloppy is a very good, easily digestable food for young or sick hedgehogs. Hedgehog fleas are host specific, they only live on hedgehogs. They will find their way onto other animals & people too but they cannot survive for long away from a hedgehog. It is best not to treat a hedgehog for fleas unless absolutely necessary as many flea treatments can be fatal to hedgehogs. If one has to be used, it should be a pyrethrum based flea treatment, usually available for birds.
