Hedgehogs love sleeping out in the grass in good weather. In case of danger, your hedgie naturally curls up into a ball for protection. If you choose to use a strimmer or lawn mower in your garden, thoroughly search first to avoid harming your spiny friend.
Besides the grass, other areas in the garden pose risks to your hedgie. We’ll list them for you, so you can keep a watch to ensure your hedgehog is always safe while relaxing in the garden.
Common Garden Hazards for Your Hedgehog
Garden Screens
Garden nets/ screens are dangerous as they entangle your hedgehog. If you have unused nets, keep them safe from where your hedgie is likely to hide.
When fixing the garden screens, leave an 8 inches gap from the ground and ensure it’s safely secured so they can move through freely without being entangled. If your hedgehog gets trapped in the garden and cannot take it safely, immediately contact your local hedgehog carer for help.
Compost Heaps
During autumn, you’re likely to leave many leaves in your garden. Your hedgehog might find it an attractive place to rest during the day without knowing they are in potential danger.
Ensure you regularly check the heaps for hazards, but you can make arrangements to secure the compost heap.
Ponds
Ponds are a significant hazard to your hedgehog if you have them in your garden. Hedgehogs can swim, but if your pond lacks an exit to climb on, they’re likely to fall back and drown.
If you have to leave your hedgie in the garden near ponds, ensure you provide some ramp-like brick steps or planks they can climb on and crawl out.
Slug Pellets and Pesticides
Slug pellets and pesticides harm your garden pets. They poison and damage the food chain. If you have to use fertilizer, use organic options like coffee grounds or crushed eggshells around plants.
Slug pellets contain metaldehyde which is poisonous to hedgehogs.
Steep Ditches and Open Drains
Check for open drains and steep ditches around their play area if you let out your hedgehog in the garden. Ensure to cover gutters and steep steps.
You can also make hedgehog highways around the garden to let it move around freely.
Bonfire
If you pile up material to burn from your garden, always ensure you stack them away from areas your hedgehog is likely to hide.
Additionally, if you are a lover of bonfire nights, have a bonfire zone with a rescue fence, so you don’t harm your spiny friend.
What To Do If Your Hedgehog is Injured
When a hedgehog is injured, it requires urgent attention since it can curl up and die. To save your hedgie, contact your local vet or take it to the nearest rescue center.
Local vets take in the wildlife and treat them for free under the RCV code of practice.
How to Pick Up an Injured Hedgehog
An injured hedgehog may present signs of dragging of limbs or bleeding. It means that your hedgie needs immediate vet attention. However, you need to know how to pick it up so you don’t cause more pain or injury.
You can use a towel or thick gardening gloves to pick up your injured hedgehog. Place it in a cat carrier or a box with a towel as bedding, then cover it well.
Ensure a heating pad or a warm water bottle keeps your hedgie warm. Replace the bottle if the water becomes cold to take away the shock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a hedgehog survive with a broken leg?
A hedgehog naturally curls up in case of any danger. It may be impossible to treat the fracture if it has a broken leg. It may not survive with an amputated leg.
How do you help a hedgehog in shock?
First, keep the hedgehog in its natural environment. A dark, quiet but warm place to help take away the shock. Hedgehogs love drinking water so you can provide adequate warm water. Warmth helps to take away its shock.
What sound does a hedgehog make when hurt?
An injured hedgehog quacks like a duck. A screaming hedgehog is in pain, whereas a quacking noise indicates that the hedgehog is distressed or the injury is not severe.
Final Word
We’ve discussed common garden hazards for hedgehogs and solutions to make your garden a home for your hedgie. Hedgehogs love a perfect garden habitat where they can hibernate, forage or raise their young ones.
With hazards everywhere around them, you need to keep them alive by ensuring they have a safe place to live. Keep off any hideouts that can cause injury and ensure the plants are not poisoned with slug pellets.
In case your hedgie is accidentally injured, contact your local vet immediately.
