OK, it's not a pet, but I am feeding a baby hedgehog some cat food at night as it regularly comes looking (our cat is out at night, and I leave food out for it),

It's young - only about half grown, and I'm sure it should be hibernating by now.

Question is, should I provide a box and straw for it to encourage it to hibernate? I worry it's just not built itself up enough to sleep foodless through the winter, but it will die of cold if it doesn't

Any advice anyone?

Your local vet might have the number of a wildlife rescue. They'd be able to give you really good advice. It's possible that it's become separated from it's parents/siblings and is fending for itself. You're very sensible wanting advice before it hibernates and I hope you get an answer.

Sorry to mention this but does your cat have to be out all night? It's very cold these days.

They're not cheap to buy http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hedgehog-House...1%7C240%3A1318 but I'm sure you could improvise one for a few pounds. Maybe a plastic storage box with a hole cut out of the side and filled with hay. It'll repay you in spring by eating all your slugs and snails.

Don't give it milk, it's not good for them.

Thanks, will try to contact wildlife place.


Re. the cat - we have a real problem, if he stays in all night he poohs in the house - we leave a litter tray for him, but he doesn't seem to know what it is. We've tried shutting him in the utility room, but he jumps and scratches at the door and wakes us up all night. It never used to be a problem - the soiling, he used to go all night no problem, if he was in the house. He's 10 years old now, so maybe that's why he can't these days.

I hate to put him out when it's cold, but always thought it's OK with his thick fur coat. He's an outdoor cat anyway - in the summer he's hardly ever indoors.

Suggestions appreciated.

Re. the hedgehog. Apparently if it weighs over 600gms it will be ok and will eventually hibernate. under 600gms it will not survive hibernation and needs to be kept indoors and fed all winter.

I haven't a clue how to weigh a hedgehog

Can't possibly keep it indoors, there's no space or anything Also, they are riddled with fleas and tics usually.

Oh dear.

Cat flap ?, or at least the one small room with an outside door (pantry/servants quarters ?) is kept slightly open, and the rest of the house closed off

Your local wildlife rescue will take him off your hands. There was an item on radio about this the other morning, apparently there are late born hedgehogs (born in Oct rahter than July) who don't get enough time to fatten up. Non fishy cat food is odeal but he won't survive outdoors in your garden all winter Bring him to a vet if you don't live near a rescue shelter. They are a protected species here in Ireland, not sure about the UK but i think vets are obliged to take them off your hands.

Hedgehog fleas are host specific, which means they only live on hedgehogs. If a hog has many ticks it usually indicates illness and needs urgent help.
Hedgehogs will only eat slugs and snails when no other food is available, and as the slugs are poisoned with pellets etc it kills the hogs too.Cat food is ideal, both canned and biscuits.
A hedgehog will not survive the winter below 600 grammes. (i prefer not to release before 700) and the small ones will need to be indoors, preferably with space to run around.
To weigh a hog you simply pop him onto the kitchen scales.