6 Signs A Hedgehog Is In Serious Need Of Help

HedgehogThis year’s hot, dry summer has been hard on creatures like hedgehogs, Natural England said, partly because it’s led to fewer insects. And as they settle down for hibernation, hedgehogs face what the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) call a “complicated and often perilous energy conservation strategy”. The time before hibernation, which typically begins in November, is therefore key to hedgehog survival.So it’s a good thing the experts have shared six signs that show a hedgehog is in need of some help, as well as what to do if you notice them.1) Lethargy“Hedgehogs don’t sunbathe,” the site advised. They are usually nocturnal, so spotting them reclining in the day is a sign they’re in urgent need of help.2) FliesIf there are flies swarming around a hedgehog, it needs help.“If you find a hedgehog with what looks like small grains of white rice on its face (a common area) or between the spines (prickles) the hedgehog will need URGENT help,” Bruntisland Hedgehog Sanctuary added, as this could be a sign of fly strike.3) Wobbling as they walkIf a hedgehog seems a little unsteady on its feet, it could have a neurological condition that requires intervention.4) Obvious injury Wounds and clear distress are enough to seek help for an affected hedgehog. 5) Trapped hedgehogsHedgehogs can get trapped in places like drains, ponds, and holes and need to be removed from these. Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, gardening expert James Lewis said: “To help the hedgehogs, you should cover [kitchen drains], or alternatively you can provide a small ramp to enable them to get out.”6) Unaccompanied hogletsIf you see a baby hedgehog (hoglet) on its own or next to a dead adult hedgehog, notice it’s squawking a lot, or if it’s out in the day when it’s very cold, it may need rescuing, the RSPCA said. Have you seen a #hedgehog you're worried about?📞🦔🩹Follow the steps on our website & call us on 01584 890801 or your local independent hedgehog rescue as soon as possible.https://t.co/Qd9aQ4At6tDon't delay - acting now can make a difference!#MondayMotivationpic.twitter.com/e2vY0PbYvP— Hedgehog Society (@hedgehogsociety) September 22, 2025What should I do if I spot a hedgehog in need?“If you have found a hedgehog you are concerned about please use gardening gloves or a folded towel to collect it up, bring it indoors and put it in a high-sided box with an old towel or fleece in the bottom for the hedgehog to hide under,” the BHPS said.You can fill a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel at the base of the box with enough water to keep the animal warm, and also provide a space for them to move off of it if they get too hot.Leave it in a quiet room and don’t check on the hedgehog more than you strictly have to. Offer meaty cat or dog food – not the dry kind – and water, but don’t force them to eat or drink. Then, call The Hedghehog Society as soon as possible on 01584 890 801. They’ll be able to offer advice and help you find local help centres. If you notice severe injury and/or distress, however, take the animal to a vet instantly.Related...UK Gardeners Urged To Place A Cardboard Box In Their Lawn ASAPIt's Not Just Bread And Milk ― Hedgehog Food Can Be Bad For Them TooI Just Learned How Hedgehogs Mate, And I Guess Spiky And Horny Are Two Different Things

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