The old wives tales are not always correct. Please do not feed hedgehogs bread and cows milk! Although hedghogs have a sweet tooth they have lactose intolerance.
Studies suggest that hedgehogs only use food in gardens as a supplement to their natural diet and therefore there is no evidence to suggest you are causing them to become dependent on you for food.
What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?
As a general preference based on mailny availability at the time of year, hedgehogs eat Beatles, Caterpillars, Earthworms, Slugs, Millipedes, Earwigs, along with many other Insects.
Not as frequent, but definetly on their diet are Carrion, Frogs, Baby Rodents, Baby Birds, Bird's Eggs, and Fallen Fruit.
What can you supplement their diet with in your garden?
Once eating as in the hedgehog is not a juvenile, a suitable diet can consist of hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food, cat biscuits, CHOPPED UNSALTED peanuts or sunflower hearts (not seeds).
A bowl of water should always be placed with any food you put out for the hedgehogs, it's a good idea to always keep a bowl of water out for hedgehogs. We sell both food and bowls online, please take a look at our shop.