Hedgehog Food Guide UK: How to Feed & Support Hedgehogs in Your Garden This Spring
As spring arrives across the UK, hedgehogs begin to wake from hibernation — and they need your help.
After months without food, hedgehogs emerge weak, underweight, and actively searching for nutrition. With natural food sources still limited in early spring, your garden can become a vital lifeline.
In this guide, we’ll show you what to feed hedgehogs, how to care for them, and how to create a hedgehog-friendly garden — all while helping support local wildlife.
Why Feeding Hedgehogs in Spring Is So Important
Hedgehogs can lose up to 30% of their body weight during hibernation. When they wake, they must quickly rebuild their strength to survive, reproduce, and continue their role in the ecosystem.
Unfortunately, modern gardens often lack:
- Natural shelter
- Insects and food sources
- Safe access between spaces
That’s why providing high-quality hedgehog food in the UK is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help.
What Is the Best Food for Hedgehogs?
To supplement a wild hedgehog's natural diet, offer a good-quality meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food, or dry cat biscuits, alongside fresh water.
A live option from our range is Meadow Farm Connoisseur Kitten Turkey & Chicken 300g.
These dry kitten biscuits contain 70% total turkey and chicken. They can be offered in small amounts as supplementary food for visiting wild hedgehogs, with clean water in a shallow dish.
The product is formulated as complete kitten food; for wild hedgehogs, offer it only as a supplement to the insects and other natural food they find. Keep feeding areas clean and remove uneaten or damp food promptly.
How to Feed Hedgehogs in Your Garden
Feeding hedgehogs is simple, but doing it correctly makes all the difference.
✔️ Best Practices:
- Put food out at dusk (hedgehogs are nocturnal)
- Always provide fresh water
- Use a shallow dish for easy access
- Feed regularly to encourage repeat visits
❌ Avoid:
- Milk (can cause digestive issues)
- Bread (low nutritional value)
- Processed human food
Create a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden (Easy Tips)
Making your garden hedgehog-friendly is one of the best ways to support wildlife in the UK.
🏡 1. Build Hedgehog Highways
Hedgehogs travel up to a mile each night. By adding small gaps (approx. 13cm x 13cm) under fences or gates, you allow them to move freely between gardens.
Benefits of hedgehog highways:
- Access to food and water
- Safe movement across territories
- Improved breeding and survival rates
🌿 2. Provide Shelter & Safe Spaces
Leave areas of your garden slightly wild:
- Log piles
- Leaf piles
- Dense hedges
These provide essential nesting and resting areas.
🐛 3. Let Hedgehogs Control Garden Pests
Hedgehogs naturally feed on:
- Slugs
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
Encouraging hedgehogs reduces the need for chemicals and supports a healthier garden ecosystem.
Why Hedgehogs Are Declining in the UK
Hedgehog numbers have dropped significantly due to:
- Habitat loss
- Urban development
- Pesticide use
- Limited food availability
By feeding hedgehogs and making your garden accessible, you’re helping reverse this decline.
Shop Hedgehog Food Online UK
Looking to support hedgehogs in your area?
Shop Meadow Farm Connoisseur Kitten Turkey & Chicken 300g — meaty dry cat biscuits for supplementary hedgehog feeding.
- Trusted, high-quality nutrition
- Ideal for spring feeding
- Supports local wildlife
- Available online and in-store
Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Impact
Helping hedgehogs doesn’t require a huge effort — just a bit of food, access between gardens, and a safe place to rest.
By making these simple changes, you’re not only helping hedgehogs recover after hibernation but also supporting biodiversity right in your own garden.