I have a hedgehog in my garden...?

Question

There is a hedgehog in my garden and I think it's making a nest under the bonfire. I do not mind because I have no intent on actually lighting it to be honest. Basically it's just a pile of jungle, garden and a few bits of old door.

Bearing in mind that I have FOUR cat's that actively roam around the garden....is there anything I can do to make the hedgehogs stay as comfortable as possible...?

All answers muchly appreciated,

thanks,

Matilda x

Answer 1

Now you have a wig

Answer 2

They eat slugs and love cat food.  Dont give it milk.

Answer 3

Just dont ,light the bonfire, feed it cat food and water, also if it comes out in day light something is wrong so as long as it is hidden stay well clear but if it comes oit on the day, seek help from wildlife people good luck!!

Answer 4

nail it to your doorstep to clean your muddy boots

Answer 5

In order to protect "her" hedgehog from marauding cats, my daughter made a shelter with bricks and planks where the entrance was just large enough for Mrs Tiggywinkle, but too small for puss. Provide some bedding, cat food & water (milk is actually poison for them) and enjoy! Clear up any slug pellets you may have scattered and on a fine evening you should be able to watch your little friend.

Answer 6

My guess is that you mean ground hogs or woodchucks, since hedgehogs are native to New Zealand, and southern Africa, I believe. Your cats shouldn't bother them due to their size. just be sure your cat cannot access the nesting area if the creatures have offsprings.

Answer 7

There are several websites giving advice regarding hedgehogs & how to take care of them but the following are the best ones I've found......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A510931

http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/garden.htm

The 2nd one is the Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue & their site gives a lot of advice for people who want to ensure their garden is safe for hedgehogs, what to feed them with.....eg cat food NOT bread & milk because the latter can cause very bad upset tummies for hedgehogs.

I hope you find all the information you need to make the little chaps' stay in your garden a happy one.

I love hedgehogs & I think we are SO lucky in the UK to have these little animals choose our gardens to hibernate in during the winter months.  Good Luck xx

Answer 8

I would only worry that your cats may pick up fleas, as hedgehogs are usually covered in them. Don't worry about the hedgehog he knows his habitat but I've added a link for you:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellit...

Answer 9

Mrs. Hedgehog will be fully aware of the cats and is more than capable of looking after herself

Answer 10

Just leave it alone..cats can find easier prey. The fact that it has decided to build a home in your garden shows that it finds it an ideal habitat. It will repay you by cleaning up some pests.Well done you.

Answer 11

As long as you know that it is there and don't light the bonfire, "your" hedgehog requires nothing from you except your absence.

Answer 12

Just leave it alone, an adult hedgehog is in no danger from a cat - they soon find out how painful it is to tackle.  It'll be fine as long as you keep on remembering where it lives.  Don't use slug pellets if you're a gardener, hedgehogs are excellent at eating slugs and you don't want it to eat a poisoned one.

Some people put out bread and milk, your problem is the cats will probably snaffle it!

If you go out after dark, especially if the garden's a bit damp you'll probably hear it snuffling around and maybe see it.