If you want to create a thriving ecosystem in your outdoor space, it's a great idea to encourage as much wildlife as you can to your garden and providing safe areas of shelter is a good way to do this. Many of us have found space for an insect hotel, and maybe even a wildlife pond, but could you also make room for a small home for a hog? Personally, we'd be more than thrilled to welcome a little spiky friend to the best hedgehog house on the block.
In the wild, hedgehogs will typically make their 'homes' within hedgerows, hence their name, but they basically need a dry, sheltered, safe place to set up camp, especially during the winter months when they can hibernate for several months, depending on the weather conditions.
Best hedgehog houses at a glance:
This is where hedgehog houses come in - a safe space in your garden for the adorable little creatures to cosy up. Designed to be placed on the ground in a quiet area, hedgehog houses offer a hutch-like haven for these small mammals. Traditionally made of wood, these small habitats have an easy access entrance and then a dividing wall so the hedgehogs can be safe from predators such as foxes or cats. Inexpensive and adorable in themselves, we've rounded up a selection of the best currently available.
Best hedgehog houses for your garden
Best overall hedgehog house
The Hutch CompanyWith nearly 5,000 Amazon reviews racking up a 4.7-star rating, this option comes highly recommended from wildlife-lovers. It has a simple design - it's basically a wooden box with one internal part wall to offer hogs protection and privacy, but that's all the little creatures really need. One reviewer states that their local hog inhabited it on the first night they put it out in their garden.
This has a weatherproof roof that's removeable for easy access, but also boasts two clasps to securely close it to protect your garden guests from predators. You can be assured you're offering a safe space for hedgehogs as this is made from pet-friendly, European whitewood that's been sourced from FSC-approved forests. That wood is then twin treated with an anti-bacterial water-based coating.
Pros
- Made from responsibly sourced FSC-approved timber
- Removeable roof for easy cleaning access
Cons
- You might want to find a way to raise this off the ground
Best hutch-style hedgehog house
Riverside Woodcraft Handmade in the UK and arriving ready assembled is Riverside Woodcraft's hedgehog house. This is a wooden option crafted from FSC-certified materials with a solid and durable design. The top of this house is covered in granite-based roofing material making in suitable for use in all seasons. Helping this weatherproofing is an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial coating which fights germs whilst protecting the box from the elements.
This has a 'predator-proof' entry that's the perfect dimensions for hedgehogs to enter, but is sized so that foxes and cats would struggle to get at whoever is inhabiting the house. The design of this house has vents, great for air circulation, but also allows for wiring for owners to set up a wildlife camera.
Pros
- A quality product handmade in the UK
- Has vent gaps to allow for camera wiring
Cons
- No space for a feeding area
Best eco-friendly hedgehog house
Wildlife World Featured on BBC's Autumn Watch and a recommended product from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society for people looking to rehabilitate hogs, comes the wittily named 'Hoglio'. This house has a circular design so hogs can really cosy up and an entrance that's perfectly sized for hedgehogs - not predators. One reviewer praises this house for its thoughtful design saying their three garden hedgehogs found it and started using it within hours of it being placed in the garden.
This gets our thumbs up for being eco-friendly as it is made from recycled agricultural plastic on a plywood skeleton. This has a green finish to better blend into its surroundings, but Wildlife World recommends also covering it with foliage to better shield it and make it an even more welcoming option for wild hogs.
Pros
- Made from recycled agricultural plastic
- Swivel lid for easy access
Cons
- Lid has no way of securely locking
Best budget hedgehog house
Clifford James If you want to be hedgehog-friendly on a budget, then consider Clifford James's hog home that's a more affordable choice than rival products. This hedgehog house has a traditional design made of durable fir wood. This house has a slightly pitched, removeable roof that helps with rain runoff, while it's covered with a durable waterproof roofing felt for longevity against adverse weather.
Inside the house, you'll find an entrance corridor, then a concealed chamber where hedgehogs can curl up and be safe from harm. This has been pre-treated with hedgehog-safe, water-based varnish but will require ongoing maintenance to keep it as weatherproof as possible. This house comes as a kit that requires assembly, but one reviewer states that with a Phillips screwdriver and a methodical approach, it's not an impossible job.
Pros
- Pitched roof to help with rain runoff
- Fir wood is pre-treated with hedgehog-safe, water-based varnish
Cons
- Some assembly required
Best hedgehog house igloo
Wildlife WorldBetter replicating what a hedgehog's shelter would be built from in the wild is the HH10 from Wildlife World. This has a completely natural look, made from a steel ringed frame covered in waterproof roofing felt that then has rattan weaved around the entire structure. This rustic appearance helps camouflage the house, and hopefully makes it more attractive to fearful hedgehogs.
Measuring in at 24 cm tall, at its highest point, this is large enough to house family groups of hogs such as a mother and hoglets. Reviewers suggest this works brilliantly as a hedgehog hideout, giving them somewhere to head to if they feel threatened or need to rest, but it's not suitable as a hibernation shelter. Some recommend pinning it to the ground for better stability.
Pros
- Natural looks that will blend into your garden
- Sturdy steel and rattan design
Cons
- Not ideal for hibernation
Best rustic hedgehog house
CBK LTD This attractive hedgehog house is perfectly functional as a shelter for the little creatures, but also adds a whimsical, decorative touch to your outside space. Its domed design is charming and the shape makes it ideal to be placed underneath any shrubs or bushes you may have. Some owners of this home have used it as a base to create a mound of natural material above to better camouflage it.
We like this house's roof that's crafted from pieces of firwood that have the bark left on to up those cute rustic looks. Adding to the adorability is the window detail and a nameplate on the roof of the house so you can inscribe your spiny's friend's name on it - a touch that children will enjoy. Reviewers like that this comes ready assembled which makes it a great gift for any hog-loving households you know.
Pros
- Attractive design with cute decorative detail
- Curved roof helps with rain runoff
Cons
- No internal chamber for protection
Best hedgehog house with feeding station
DInwww.ebay.co.uk
Not all wild hedgehogs will want to eat next to their shelter, but if you have hedgehogs in your garden that you're already regularly feeding, a house with an integrated feeding platform might well work. This large hedgehog house is made from pine wood that's been pressure-treated to help protect it from rot, decay, and insect damage.
Inside the house, there are two dividing walls to offer protection for multiple hogs. The feeding area has a handy roof over it so you can put food out in all weathers without worrying about it getting waterlogged. This home comes complete with a durable stainless bowl that's the ideal size to be placed in the food area.
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction with a robust, rainproof felt roof
- Comes complete with a stainless steel food bowl
Cons
- This house has a large footprint so requires a decent space
How we chose the best hedgehog houses
All of these hedgehog houses have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the design, functionality, and usability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching hog homes to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
Where should I put my hedgehog house?
When you're deciding where to place your hedgehog home, think about creating a haven. Find a sheltered, quiet area in the garden, out of direct sunlight, where it's not too damp, and not facing into the wind. Under a bush or shrub is a good bet. An area that has a natural cover around the home will also mean your hogs are sheltered as they come and go from their abode.
Down the side of a garden shed or greenhouse is also a popular position as the structure will offer protection from the elements and provide a relatively sheltered tunnel for the hogs to access the house.
What should I put in my hedgehog house?
There is no need to buy any special bedding materials for your hedgehog house, the little creatures are very adept at making nests. If you want to be particularly benevolent, and hopefully attract a spiny house guest, you might want to consider gathering suitable nesting materials - dry leaves, dead foliage, small twigs, etc. - and place them near the entrance to the house so it's easier for the hogs to collect.
What should I feed my hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs will eat regular cat and dog wet food, but you can spoil them by treating them to some specialist hedgehog food. Amazon currently offers a great hedgehog food bundle that comprises of Brambles Dry Crunchy food, Spikes Semi Moist meal, and Mr. Johnsons Niblets. This is a good option if you're in the early stages of trying to attract a hog as you can experiment to see which option they prefer.
Should I clean out my hedgehog house?
Never when a hedgehog is in residence. In the late spring if you're sure you have no inhabitants you can give the home a good scrub with hot water ready for the next season. Wooden hedgehog houses may need a spruce up at this stage with a coat of pet-safe protective varnish.
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Amy-Mae Turner is a Commerce Content Writer for Modern Gardens, Yours, Take A Break Pets, and A Modern Kitchen. When she's not pottering in the garden or mucking around in the kitchen, she can be found having doggy cuddles with her two beloved cockapoochis.