Pet firm’s food initiative to help endangered hedgehog

Brambles Pet and Wildlife is a family owned company and the team have been involved in developing products for animal welfare since 1990. Gail Tracey, the Managing Director, has a scientific background in Biological Sciences.

“We have combined our experience and expertise to formulate foods that are nutritionally beneficial to wild animals and ensure that they do not contain any added sugar, colours, or artificial flavours,” said Gail’s husband David.

“We also do not use other ingredients that are commonly used in other commercial foods, such as mealworms, that are potentially dangerous to Hedgehogs in particular. All our foods are sourced and made in Great Britain.

“As hedgehogs are now on the endangered list they need all the help they can get and many people are rising to this challenge. However, it is very important to feed them nutritionally beneficial food as many rescue centres are reporting hogs with dental disease caused by foods containing sugar. Sugar can also lead to obesity & associated cardiovascular issues and too much fat in food can lead to Fatty Liver Disease that can quickly become fatal to the animal.

“Also, increasingly hedgehogs are being seen with Metabolic Bone Disease in which bones & teeth are soft, deformed and easily fractured. The cause of this disease is Calcium to Phosphorus ratio imbalance in the blood due to food containing too much Phosphorous. To redress this blood imbalance Calcium leaches out of the bones and teeth resulting in very painful bone and dental abnormalities.

“We do not recommend giving Hedgehogs any foods containing high levels of Phosphorous such as:

Mealworms
Peanuts
Sunflower Hearts

“It’s worth noting that hedgehogs are particularly fond of mealworms and will ‘cherry pick’ them if mixed in with other foods leaving the more nutritious parts of the blend uneaten. The same, to a slightly lesser degree can be said of dried fruit, peanuts and sunflower hearts. Therefore, these foods should not be given in any circumstance as there’s no way of knowing how much the hedgehogs are eating and it stops them eating other nutritionally beneficial foods.

“In addition hedgehogs lack the enzyme Lactase and so cannot digest lactose found in milk. If given milk they can get digestive problems and diarrhoea.

“At Brambles Pet and Wildlife we are passionate about wildlife. Our vast experience enables us to produce a range of quality foods that keep wild animals in tip top condition in today’s challenging times. Many Wildlife Centres throughout the UK are using our Hedgehog Foods and, Swan & Duck Food, and we are working with them to promote the message about good hedgehog nutrition. We have also advised the RSPB on hedgehog food and they now stock all of Brambles hedgehog foods.”

Brambles Crunchy Hedgehog Food and Brambles Meaty Hedgehog Food are complementary foods specially formulated to give the right balance of nutrients, vitamins & minerals for wild hedgehogs and, due to its crunchy texture, it is also great for dental health. The foods are also suitable for badgers and foxes.

Gail and David have been helped at Brambles Pet and Wildlife by their two daughters Laura (21) and Emma (13).

“They have both helped with packaging design and social media, plus visits to wildlife hospitals,” said David.

Brambles Swan & Duck Food is a complementary food specially formulated to give the right balance of nutrients, vitamins & minerals for swans and ducks. It is also suitable for geese, moorhens and coots and as it floats people can easily see when it is time to stop feeding the birds. Available in 1.75 Kg & 12.55 Kg sizes.

For more information visit www.bramblespaw.co.uk