Hedgehog food

[batwing]

We need some hedgehog food as we've long suspected that the hedgehog that lives in our neighbours rather overgrown garden visits us at night and were delighted to actuallly witness a visit yesterday evening. We want to encourage him ( they eat slugs don't they?) But I can't remember what hedgehog food we need to put out, is it dog food or cat food we should put out?

[Ann2]

Both tinned dog and cat food are suitable for hedgehogs. I read somewhere that they prefer chicken flavour. They also appreciate a drink of water.

Ann

[batwing]

Thanks Ann. Water is always on supply, high and low, for the birds so that is probably why he visits. Off to the supermarket tomorrow for some catfood then. Don't want to raise his hopes but 'other half' will think we are going to get some cats again.

[Bunster]

Hi
Yes, go for the white meat dog/cat food, and avoid the ones in gravy or fish flavoured. Other things you could try are raw mince or pretty much any meaty leftovers, crunchy cat biscuits, which is good for their teeth, or maybe some moistened crumbled digestives.

[Susie]

When we used to have hedgehogs visit the garden they were very partial to fruit, in particular nectarines. I am sure the cat/dog food and/or mince is far better for them, but if you want to put something out for pudding ....

[paulinemiller10]

Originally Posted by batwing

We've long suspected that the hedgehog that lives in our neighbours rather overgrown garden visits ours at night and were delighted to actuallly witness a visit yesterday evening. We want to encourage him ( they eat slugs don't they?) But I can't remember, is it dog food or cat food we should put out?

They also like chopped peanuts, banana, cheese, sultanas, and digestive biscuits, and do get very thirsty, you may find cats eat the food if they are about, you can put it under a garden slab on top of bricks with a hole to go in.
I used to have a lot visiting at one time, but only seen one this year, I used to feed mine on cooked chicken, but some would only eat chopped peanuts, they would nt eat the tin food, but then I used to spoil them. Pauline.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Bunster

Hi
Yes, go for the white meat dog/cat food, and avoid the ones in gravy or fish flavoured. Other things you could try are raw mince or pretty much any meaty leftovers, crunchy cat biscuits, which is good for their teeth, or maybe some moistened crumbled digestives.

Leaving out food can encourage the rats though!

[galanthus]

We've had our hedgehog around 2 and a bit years now. He loves cooked chicken. The rescue centre advised we needed to feed him a half can or one pouch of cat food every other night during the summer. The cat food could be anything except fish-based, they also suggested complete dog food. We found hedgehog food in b and q so he's loving that. Winter time we feed him every day, haven't seen a slug for years. Pic of him included drinking from our pond

[Vanessa W]

Changing the subject - are Hedgehogs Territorial. We had a hedgehog in our garden for the past 2 nights. The only reason we have noticed this is because we had our patio doors open and the Hedgehog walked into the living room, on consecutive nights! We encouraged him safely back out again but haven't seen him tonight and I just wondered how far they wander?

[paulinemiller10]

What a lovely picture galanthus, and he looks so well too, lovely condition, they do need looking after, my hog has just returned from his Spring courting, and is tucked up in the box I made for him, he went off last year for his winter sleep, but came back two weeks later, and I found him dead one morning, but in March this year he returned, so it was nt him, it must have been a different one, they all look so alike, used to have a lot more , but only Hansel comes back now, he s been coming for four years.

I think your hoggy was hungry Vanessa, and he came in asking for help, and they do need water too, you could leave some chopped peanuts out for him. Pauline.