Hedgehogs are one of Britain's best-loved – and most adorable – garden visitors, but sadly, they are a species in serious trouble.
Populations have declined by as much as 30–75% since 2000, with fewer than one million now thought to remain in the UK.
Habitat loss, pesticides and a lack of food have all contributed to their decline, but the good news is that there are simple ways we can help – starting right from our kitchen cupboards, fridges and pantries.
What can you feed hedgehogs from your cupboard?
While hedgehogs naturally feed on invertebrates like beetles, worms and caterpillars, you can offer a small amount of supplementary food – especially in early spring, when they emerge hungry from hibernation, or during cold, dry spells when natural food is scarce.
Alongside specialist hedgehog food, there are several everyday cupboard staples that can help:
- Plain, meat-based wet dog or cat food NOT including fish varieties
- Dry kitten or cat biscuits, like Dreamies (again, avoiding fish)
- Cooked, unseasoned chicken, turkey or mince (leftovers work well)
- Tinned meat (in water, not brine or sauce)
- Scrambled or hard-boiled eggs (plain, no salt or milk)
- Unsalted peanuts or crushed dry dog biscuits (in moderation and broken up)
Always put out a shallow dish of fresh water alongside any food. And one key rule: never give hedgehogs dairy products (especially milk), bread or sugary foods, as these can make them seriously ill. Similarly, avoid fish varieties of cat food, as this can cause indigestion.
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Katy Bell, senior conservation officer at Ulster Wildlife, explains: "Hedgehogs eat a varied range of invertebrates, and so the best way to help keep them well-fed is to plant wildlife-friendly plants and leave log piles or leafy corners that attract the types of bugs and beetles they like to eat. Alongside this, putting out a small amount of food gives them a helping hand through cold and harsh weather."
Creating a hedgehog-friendly garden
Supplementary feeding is helpful, but long-term support comes from making your garden a welcoming habitat.
Leaving wild, biodiverse corners, building log piles and reducing pesticide usage all help to boost the insects hedgehogs rely on. Small gaps in fences – endearingly referred to as 'hedgehog highways' – also allow them to roam freely, which is vital, as they can travel up to 3km in a single night.
Take part in the Hedgehog Walk
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly way to get involved, The Wildlife Trusts are encouraging people across the UK to join the Hedgehog Walk, running from 30th March to 30th April 2026. This nature challenge raises awareness of hedgehog declines and inspires simple actions to help wildlife thrive where we live.
With thousands already taking part, it’s an easy and engaging way to support these much-loved animals, while spending time outdoors away from screens and learning more about nature.
From a handful of kitten biscuits to a small hole in your fence, even the simplest actions can make a real difference. With a little help from our cupboards, our gardens and our compassion, we can all play a part in giving hedgehogs a fighting chance.
Hedgehog lover edit
Hedgehog Watercolour Card
Maddy is the Homes Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she can be found writing about the latest interiors news and collating inspiring trend edits. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Classics and Ancient History from the University of Manchester and a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, where she was the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper.
