My new cat-proof hedgehog feeding station is an upgrade of my previous hedgehog cafe. I’ve created a new hedgehog cafe design that is aesthetically more pleasing and has so far deterred every cat. Its clearer design also means that I have got much better footage on the hedgehog night camera. Its the perfect addition to your nature garden.
You can use the box either way up but this box had a slight shatter in the top so I have used it upside down. It is also more stable this way up.
I started by measuring and marking out a 4.5″ square hole.
I talk in more detail about tools on my previous hedgehog feeding station blog. I would advise also wearing googles. The plastic often shatters during cutting. I scored all along the edges of the marked hole several times before cutting through. I finished off the cutting with the sturdy kitchen scissors.
I used clear Gorilla tape to seal all the sharp edges around the hole. This is essential because the plastic edges left after cutting are sharp. The clear tape gives a much more aesthetically pleasing finish.
In this new design of hedgehog cafe, I created an internal dividing wall using a piece of polycarbonate. I had this lying around from previously repairing a growhouse. I cut it to the exact shape of the box and cut a 4.5″ square hole out of the bottom side. I also taped this with the clear Gorilla tape.
The dividing wall has so far baffled all cats and it also looks more aesthetically pleasing than a brick to deter cats. I don’t think the cats are able to contort their bodies to get through the first door and then immediately round into the second hole.
Hedgehogs can also see if the feeding station is already ‘hoggupied’
The clear tape and dividing wall also mean I get better footage of hedgehog diners on the night camera.
You will need a weight on the top of your feeding station to help stop it blowing around or cats/foxes trying to get in. What a fabulous use for my old hedgehog boot scraper (the brush scraper bit long since disintegrated)
Here is some footage of the hedgehog cafe in use:
Consider a double entrance hedgehog feeding station
Since this hedgehog feeding station was designed, there have been reports of some hedgehogs being bullied and trapped inside single entrance feeding stations. I would recommend adding a second entrance to your design. You can also purchase ready made double entrance hedgehog feeding stations if you search online.
Rat proof hedgehog feeding stations
In over a decade of feeding hedgehogs in hedgehog feeding stations and monitoring them with a night camera, I have never once see a rat enter a feeding station even though I know rats are around. Rats are very intelligent and wary of being trapped. If you have a rat problem, it is much more likely to be caused by food being left out in the open e.g. leftover bird food, than food in a hedgehog feeding station.
Learning about hedgehogs
If you would like to learn more about how to help hedgehogs in your garden, I run online hedgehog courses for all levels of knowledge and experience, including basic first aid and how to make your garden wildlife friendly.
About me
I am busy creating a wildlife haven in an acre of the Yorkshire Wolds and have over a decade’s experience as a wild hedgehog rehabilitator. If you have found the information on my website useful, I would be grateful if you would consider one of the ways to support my work.
You might also be interested in my handmade wildlife jewellery, which includes hedgehog designs plus other wildlife and nature pieces. It all comes with a rescue hedgehog postcard and information about how to help hedgehogs.
Little Silver Hedgehog 