As of: March 25, 2024, 8:00 p.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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Overfeeding can be fatal for hedgehogs just emerging from hibernation.
It is often too late before the seriousness of the situation is recognized.
This can certainly be avoided with targeted measures.
Melissa works on a voluntary basis in animal and species protection and primarily looks after hedgehogs in her private foster home.
She also does valuable educational work about spiny wild animals
on her
Instagram account @gluecksfelle.stachelnasen.
In a video, for example, the animal lover explains what the so-called refeeding syndrome in hedgehogs is all about.
At 24garten.de you can also find out why you have to watch out for hedgehogs when spring cleaning in the garden.
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According to @gluecksfelle.stachelnasen, the syndrome is one of the ten most common causes of death in hedgehogs and most often occurs when the animals wake up from hibernation.
Too much food at once, offered to quills by well-intentioned people, can cause organs, including the heart, to fail.
It is often too late when people notice the hedgehog's apathetic state.
24garten.de explains here whether a hedgehog is healthy or sick.
Found an emaciated hedgehog, what to do?
Hedgehogs awaken from hibernation from March to around mid-April.
(Symbolic image) © Siegfried Kuttig/Imago
To avoid the death trap, @gluecksfelle.stachelnasen advises not to simply offer the spiny mammals as much food as possible when they wake up from hibernation and may look a little emaciated.
According to the animal rights activist, you should first contact a hedgehog foster home instead.
“If you can't find a foster home, then when I have a warm tummy, offer me chicken broth WITHOUT spices/salt, with VERY SMALL amounts of cooked chicken,” advises Melissa from a hedgehog's perspective.
“Or a teaspoon of scrambled eggs every two hours WITHOUT spices/salt,” continues @gluecksfelle.stachelnasen.
There's nothing wrong with a little bowl of water.
Nevertheless, malnourished hedgehogs need professional help and should not be nursed on your own.
You can find out here when the spiny animals really need help.
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The
Igelhilfe Ludwigshafen
also points out that feeding is only safe from a body temperature of 36 degrees Celsius.
Feeding a hypothermic hedgehog could lead to its circulatory collapse, the volunteer association said in a first aid guide for hedgehogs.
Read here how you can properly help not only hedgehogs, but also their offspring.