What should you do if you find a hedgehog

Written by Meanne | Content Specialist | May 8, 2026

Do you see a hedgehog walking through your garden, the park or along the side of the road? You may wonder whether you should intervene. In many cases, this is not necessary. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, but they can sometimes also be active during the day, for example in autumn when they are looking for extra food for hibernation. However, there are situations in which a hedgehog does need help. It is therefore important to recognise when it is better to leave a hedgehog alone and when to contact a hedgehog rescue centre or animal ambulance. In this blog, you can read what to look out for and what you can do yourself.

When is it better to leave a hedgehog alone?

Although it is good to stay alert, not every hedgehog needs help. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals and mainly look for food in the evening and at night. Do you see a hedgehog calmly walking through the garden or foraging among the shrubs in the evening? Then there is usually nothing wrong. If you find a hedgehog nest, leave it alone as much as possible. Hedgehogs are protected animals, and disturbing a nest can cause stress for the mother and her young. It is also better not to wake or move a sleeping hedgehog during winter.

Products for hedgehogs

When does a hedgehog need help?

Not every hedgehog you see during the day is immediately in distress. Especially in autumn, hedgehogs may also be active during the day to look for extra food for hibernation. However, there are signs that may indicate a hedgehog needs help. A hedgehog that is injured, appears weak or behaves strangely should not be left to fend for itself. For example, watch out for a hedgehog that is wobbling, walking in circles, lying still or not curling up when touched. A hedgehog that is coughing, has a runny nose or dirty eyes may also be ill. Hedgehogs with flies, fly eggs or maggots often need help quickly. The same applies to hedgehogs that are tangled in a net or stuck in another way. If you see a hedgehog at risk of drowning in a pond or swimming pool, you should also intervene.

Young hedgehogs deserve extra attention. Baby hedgehogs with white spines that are found outside the nest usually need help. A small hedgehog that keeps squeaking or whistling loudly without a mother nearby may also be orphaned. Are you unsure whether a hedgehog needs help? Contact a hedgehog rescue centre or animal ambulance for advice. Hedgehogs are protected animals and often need specialist care that you cannot provide at home.

Dangers for hedgehogs in the garden

Of course, you would rather prevent a hedgehog from getting injured or into trouble. Although a garden often seems like a safe place, there are several situations in which hedgehogs can get hurt. They can become tangled in nets or get stuck in rubbish, open drains or other narrow spaces. Ponds with steep edges can also be dangerous if a hedgehog cannot climb out again. Slug pellets and other chemical pesticides also pose a risk to hedgehogs. Because hedgehogs eat insects and slugs, among other things, harmful substances can be absorbed through their food. Always check carefully under shrubs or in long grass before mowing or pruning, so that a hiding hedgehog does not get injured.

What can you do if a hedgehog needs help?

If you think a hedgehog needs help, carefully pick the animal up with a towel or gardening gloves. Then place the hedgehog in a box or basket with a towel, newspaper or fleece blanket on the bottom. Put the hedgehog in a quiet and warm place indoors. If the hedgehog feels cold, you can gently keep the animal warm with a hot water bottle or bottle filled with lukewarm water, wrapped in a towel. Be careful if the hedgehog has fly eggs or maggots. In that case, it is better not to use extra heat or water, as this can cause the eggs to hatch more quickly. You can put down a shallow bowl of water so the hedgehog can drink by itself if it needs to. Do not give a hedgehog milk. Are you unsure about what you can and cannot give? Read more in our blog about what hedgehogs can and cannot eat. Do not wait too long before seeking professional help and contact a hedgehog rescue centre or animal ambulance as soon as possible.

Also read our other blogs

How to help hedgehogs through autumn and winter

Autumn has started, which means hedgehogs are preparing to hibernate. Did you know many hedgehogs could use a bit of extra help to get through winter well? In this blog, we explain how to help hedgehogs in autumn.

Hedgehog in hibernation: what should you know?

Hedgehogs hibernate to get through the cold months when less food is available. During this period, they live off the fat reserves they built up in autumn. As a garden lover, you can play an important role in supporting hedgehogs during this phase.

What do hedgehogs eat? (And what should they absolutely not eat?)

Does a hedgehog regularly visit your garden? Then it is good to know what hedgehogs eat and which food is suitable. In this blog, you can read about the natural diet of hedgehogs, what you can feed them as a supplement and what is best not to give them.

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