The best hedgehog feeder is a covered feeding station with a small entrance that lets hedgehogs in while keeping cats, foxes and rain out. For most gardens, the Wooden Hedgehog Feeder is the overall pick, as it blends into borders and gives a dry, sheltered spot to eat.
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These picks were chosen by product type and by the sizes and materials stated in each listing. We grouped them by garden use, build material and size so you can compare like with like.
What Size Entrance Should a Hedgehog Feeder Have?
A hedgehog feeder entrance of around 13 cm square lets hedgehogs walk in easily while stopping most cats from squeezing through. This is the size Hedgehog Street and other UK wildlife groups commonly suggest for feeding stations. Measure the opening on any feeder you are comparing, as some decorative designs have holes that are too big or too small. A short internal tunnel or baffle behind the entrance adds another barrier, because cats will not crawl round a bend to reach the food. If magpies or rats are a problem in your area, raise the feeder slightly on bricks so the entrance still sits at ground level for hedgehogs but the floor stays dry. Place a brick on the roof of light feeders so foxes and badgers cannot tip them over. Check the entrance has smooth edges with no splinters or sharp metal that could catch spines.
How Do These Hedgehog Feeders Compare?
The table lists each hedgehog feeder with who it suits and its main detail. Check the entrance size, around 13 cm square, and measure the spot where it will sit first.
| Product | Good Choice For | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Hedgehog Feeder | First time hedgehog feeders | Covered feeding station |
| Wooden Hedgehog Feeder | Natural looking gardens | Wooden build |
| Metal Hedgehog Feeder | Gardens with foxes | Metal build |
| Plastic Hedgehog Feeder | Low maintenance owners | Plastic build |
| Garden Hedgehog Feeder | Hedges and shrub borders | Garden design |
| Outdoor Hedgehog Feeder | Exposed gardens | Outdoor use |
| Indoor Hedgehog Feeder | Pet hedgehog enclosures | Indoor use |
| Small Hedgehog Feeder | Small yards and patios | Small size |
| Large Hedgehog Feeder | Busy hedgehog gardens | Large size |
| Rustic Hedgehog Feeder | Cottage style gardens | Rustic finish |
Where Should I Put a Hedgehog Feeder in My Garden?
Put your hedgehog feeder for garden visitors near a hedge, shrub border or fence line, because hedgehogs travel along edges and feel safer under cover. Keep it away from paths where dogs run at night and away from bird feeders that may attract rats. Make sure hedgehogs can reach your garden in the first place: a gap of about 13 by 13 cm at the base of a fence lets them pass between gardens, and many UK neighbours now link up this way. Set the feeder on a flat patch of ground so it does not rock, with the entrance facing away from the prevailing wind and rain. Leave a shallow dish of fresh water nearby, as hedgehogs need water as much as food. Avoid placing it right beside a pond with steep sides. Move it a metre or two now and then so the ground underneath stays healthy.
What Food Should I Put in a Hedgehog Feeder?
Meaty cat or dog food, cat biscuits or a specialist hedgehog food are the safest things to put in a hedgehog feeder. The RSPCA and Hedgehog Street both warn against milk, which can upset their stomachs, and against bread, which has little nutritional value. Dried mealworms and sunflower hearts are best avoided too, as too many can cause bone problems. Compare food dishes by depth; a heavy, shallow bowl around 2 to 4 cm deep is easy for a hedgehog to reach into and hard to knock over. Put out a small handful each evening rather than a large pile, so less is left to go stale or attract pests. Clear away uneaten food each morning. Feeding is most useful in spring after hibernation and in autumn when hedgehogs are building up fat reserves before winter.
How Do I Keep Cats and Rats Out of a Hedgehog Feeder?
The best way to keep cats out of hedgehog feeders is a small entrance of about 13 cm square with an internal baffle or tunnel behind it. Cats dislike crawling through tight, bending spaces, while hedgehogs will push through happily. Weigh the roof down with a brick or paving slab so cats and foxes cannot lift it off. Rats are harder, because they are small enough to use the same entrance. Put out only as much food as hedgehogs eat in one night, and clear leftovers every morning so there is nothing for rats to find. Keep the feeder away from compost heaps, sheds and bird feeders, which already draw rats in. Raising the station on a few bricks with a short ramp can also deter rats in some gardens. If you see signs of rats, stop feeding for a week or two, clean the station thoroughly and move it to a new spot. A trail camera is a simple way to check exactly who is visiting at night. Never use poison near a hedgehog feeder.
Next, see our guide to window bird feeders, then the squirrel proof bird feeders guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Material for a Hedgehog Feeder?
Treated wood is the most popular material, because it stays dry inside, blends into the garden and keeps a steady temperature. Plastic feeders are easier to scrub and lighter to move, while metal ones are tough but can feel cold and rattle. Whatever the material, check the floor drains or stays dry.
How Often Should I Refill a Hedgehog Feeder?
Refill a hedgehog feeder each evening with a small amount of food, and clear away anything left the next morning. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so food put out at dusk is fresher when they arrive. If the bowl is always empty, add a little more, but avoid leaving large piles.
Can I Use a Hedgehog Feeder Indoors?
A feeder designed for indoor use can work inside a pet hedgehog’s enclosure, but garden feeding stations are too large for most cages. Wild hedgehogs should never be brought indoors unless a rescue centre advises it, so keep wildlife feeders outside where they belong.
Does a Hedgehog Feeder Need a Cover?
Yes, a hedgehog feeder works best with a roof or cover, because it keeps rain off the food and stops cats and birds stealing it. A covered station also gives hedgehogs a sheltered, quiet place to eat. Weigh the roof down with a brick so foxes cannot lift it.
How Do I Clean a Hedgehog Feeder?
Clean a hedgehog feeder every few days by removing old food, scrubbing the bowl in hot soapy water and rinsing it well. Wash the floor of the station weekly with a mild pet safe disinfectant, then let it dry before refilling. Regular cleaning helps stop disease spreading between visiting hedgehogs.
Last reviewed: 23 October 2026.
Hedgehog Feeders to Compare
Hedgehog Feeder
A sensible all round choice for anyone starting to feed visiting hedgehogs in a typical garden.
Wooden Hedgehog Feeder
Natural timber suits gardeners who want a station that blends into borders and stays dry inside.
Metal Hedgehog Feeder
Strong and fox resistant, a good fit for gardens where larger animals often tip lighter feeders over.
Plastic Hedgehog Feeder
Light and simple to scrub clean, ideal for people who want a low maintenance feeding station.
Garden Hedgehog Feeder
Built to sit under hedges and shrubs, it suits wildlife lovers who want a feeder that looks at home.
Outdoor Hedgehog Feeder
Made for year round outdoor use, so it suits gardens exposed to wind and frequent rain showers.
Indoor Hedgehog Feeder
Sized for enclosures, a handy pick for owners of pet hedgehogs who want a tidy feeding spot.
Small Hedgehog Feeder
Compact enough for small yards and patios where floor space for a station is limited.
Large Hedgehog Feeder
Plenty of room inside suits busy gardens that see more than one hedgehog visit each night.
Rustic Hedgehog Feeder
The weathered look appeals to people who like a cottage garden style feeder among plants and logs.