Caring for Hedgehog Orphans
If you accidentally disturb a mother with young do not handle the babies as she will abandon or kill them if they smell of humans.
Replace their cover gently and carefully with a stick and keep their whereabouts a treasured secret between you and a thankful mum.
If you do find an abandoned baby or orphan squeaking for help he needs the following:
- protection from flies
- a feed mix of ⅔ goats milk and ⅓ goat colostrum, from a goat farm or breeder
- if you cannot get to a goat farm then use Esbilac, which is a puppy weaning formula and can be purchased from petmeds.co.uk or other online shops
- drip 1 to 2 ml. slowly from a syringe at 2 hourly intervals
- stimulation to urinate after each feed. The mother would do this by licking the baby’s genitals. You can do it with a damp tissue or cotton bud.
- Constant warmth is essential for his survival.
See also our hedgehog first aid page. And the feeding hedgehogs page.
Further information and advice is available on request. If in doubt please telephone Hedgehog Care or a local vet.
