How to Help a Hedgehog (and What to Feed Them)

Vet-reviewed by Veterinary Reviewer, DVM · Last reviewed June 2026

Help hedgehogs by leaving out meaty cat or dog food (or specialist hedgehog food) and a shallow dish of water — never bread or milk, which make them ill. Make gardens safe with a "hedgehog highway" gap in fences, and seek a rescue if you see a hedgehog out in daylight, looking sick, or very small heading into winter.

What should you feed a hedgehog?

Put out meat-based wet cat or dog food, or dry cat/kitten biscuits, or specialist hedgehog food, plus a shallow bowl of fresh water. Avoid bread and cow’s milk — hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and milk causes diarrhoea and dehydration. Feed in a sheltered spot, ideally a feeding station that keeps cats out.

How to make your garden hedgehog-friendly

Cut a 13cm × 13cm gap in fences (a “hedgehog highway”) so they can roam between gardens; leave wild, leafy corners for nesting and foraging; check long grass before mowing or strimming; cover drains and provide a ramp out of ponds; and avoid slug pellets and pesticides, which poison hedgehogs and their food.

When does a hedgehog need rescuing?

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so a hedgehog out in daylight, lying still, wobbling, or obviously injured likely needs help. So does a small hedgehog (under ~450g) seen late in autumn that may be too light to survive hibernation. Pick it up with gloves, put it in a high-sided box with a towel and a covered warm (not hot) water bottle, and call a hedgehog rescue or vet.

Frequently asked questions

Can you give hedgehogs milk?

No — milk causes serious digestive upset; give water instead.

What's the best food for hedgehogs?

Meaty cat or dog food, dry cat or kitten biscuits, or specialist hedgehog food.

I saw a hedgehog in the daytime — is that bad?

Usually yes — it often signals a problem; contact a rescue.