Building a cat-proof hedgehog house is not difficult with our guide. Here you can find out how the construction works, which tools and materials are required, as well as the right location.

In a nutshell

  • Division and dimensions must fit
  • a cat-proof hedgehog house also protects against other animals
  • ready-made kits are the simplest solution
  • sheltered location is important
    natural materials are preferred

choose location

The most important factors when choosing the location are the following points:

  • protected
  • quiet
  • little frequented

Tip: Right next to the entrance or a playground, the hedgehog house tends not to be accepted or the animals are disturbed during their hibernation. A secluded corner of the garden is better, for example next to the compost, between the hedge and the fence or behind the shed.

time

Depending on the region, climate and current temperature, shelter is accepted from around October. The hedgehogs look for winter quarters when the temperatures start to drop and the first night frosts are to be expected. It is therefore ideal if one or more houses are standing and used as shelter from September.

Hedgehog house in the garden

Possible materials

Wood and stones are particularly suitable. Plastic boxes with insulation are also possible. These are cheap to buy and easy to clean. However, they quickly become brittle and cracked, for example due to temperature fluctuations and UV radiation. In addition, they can fog up on the inside and thus create an unfavorable climate.
On the other hand, wood that is untreated or treated with a safe preservatives can absorb and release moisture. It is therefore a wonderful basis for the hedgehog house. Stones are also associated with many advantages. They heat up comparatively quickly and store the heat for a long time. This keeps the temperature in the shelter relatively even.

Tools & Aids

Which tool is required depends on the material. Different tools are required for a wooden hedgehog house than for a variant made of stone. No tools are usually required for stones. Simply stacking can already be enough. If you want to build a more durable variant yourself, however, the following utensils and tools are required:

  • board
  • Hay, straw, brushwood
  • trowel
  • Maurertubbe
  • mortar
  • Stirrer or stirrer attachment for the drill
  • water
  • brick or natural stone

For a wooden hedgehog house, on the other hand, these tools are required:

  • Cordless drill or drill
  • wooden boards
  • saw
  • hinges
  • screws and screwdrivers
  • styrofoam

Dimensions & construction

There is diversity in these points. Please note:

  • number of sections
  • size of the entrance
  • height
  • length of the side walls

A base area of 30 x 30 centimeters is sufficient. Hedgehogs can sleep here individually. The advantage of this small space is that it heats up quickly. In addition, several boxes can be placed next to each other. A disadvantage, however, is that it also cools down quickly. This is a potential problem, especially with very small and light animals. However, this can be solved by isolation. Larger hedgehog houses have the advantage that they can be divided into several sections. As a result, there is space for several animals. On the other hand, the entrance can be designed to be particularly cat-safe.
The entrances should each be ten by ten centimeters in size. The height should not exceed 30 centimeters.

chambers

It is often recommended to divide the hedgehog house into chambers. The main purpose of this is to keep out drafts and provide additional insulation. However, it only makes a limited contribution to safety from cats. If the cat fits through the first entrance, it can also get through the second. A division into two chambers is only recommended from a size of at least 30 by 50 centimeters.

Building instructions for wood

Building a cat-proof wooden hedgehog house is not difficult. You have three different connection options to choose from. It refers to:

  • Afford
  • screws
  • angle

The advantage of the wooden strips is that the effort is very low, but drafts are avoided and the costs do not increase noticeably. However, the parts can also be screwed directly to one another or connected to one another by means of angles. If you don't have a workbench available, you should use strips or angles.
Once the decision has been made, the following steps must be followed:

  • Select frame and roof: For the simplest variant, only four side walls and a roof are required. So five simple boards are enough. For example, OSB panels are recommended.
  • Build frame: First, the four side walls are connected to each other. Care should be taken to ensure that there are no gaps or cracks. Because the penetrating draft and moisture could become a danger for the hedgehog.
  • Cut out door: A door opening is cut out with a jigsaw. 10 x 10 centimeters at floor level are sufficient for this.
  • Apply roof: Another board can be placed directly on the frame for this purpose. Alternatively, it is possible to fix it with hinges. In this way, the interior can be easily checked and, if necessary, filled or cleaned.

Tip: A slightly sloping roof is enough to allow rainwater and melted snow to run off better. This increases the lifespan of the hedgehog house. In addition, insulation in the form of Styrofoam can be introduced. This is particularly recommended in very cold regions.

Instructions for stone

Hedgehogs are not choosy when it comes to winter quarters. It should be quiet, protected and comparatively warm. Piles of wood and niches are therefore also used. If you want to build a simple and durable cat-proof hedgehog house, you can use old bricks or bricks, for example. In addition to the heat-storing effect, these have the advantage that they can be stacked easily and quickly, are durable and have a long service life.
The assembly instructions are therefore also simple:

  • Laying the floor plan: The first row is applied. It is important to ensure that the surface is flat and that the edges are closed. If you don't want to use mortar, try to avoid spacing altogether.
  • Staggered hang-up: For stability and durability, it is advisable to stagger the stones so that they are centered on the joints of the lower row. For this purpose, the bricks may have to be cut or sawed to size.
  • Attach cover: After the hedgehog house has been built as high as desired, it is closed off at the top with a board. This can simply be placed and additionally covered with brushwood, moss and straw. This creates insulation.

A hedgehog house made of natural stone is a bit more complex to build, but it looks more natural.

  • Lay the frame: The frame or the outline of the house is laid with the selected stones. The stones should fit together as well as possible at the edges in order to create only small joints.
  • Close joints: The joints can be closed with mortar and a bricklayer's trowel and the stones can be connected to one another.
  • build rows: When the outline is complete, the next rows can be created. To do this, the order must first be determined. So test out which stones go well together.

Tip: Number the stones. This can be done, for example, with small pieces of masking tape. This allows you to place the stones in the correct order.

Foundation & Filling

A foundation is not absolutely necessary. However, it can make sense in very cold regions. However, it does not have to be a solid, concrete floor. A sheet of polystyrene can also be put inside the house, which can be insulated and covered from below. Suitable materials for this are:

  • hemp litter
  • hay
  • brushwood
  • straw

kits

The easiest way to build a cat-proof hedgehog house is to buy and assemble a ready-made kit. All you have to do is follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you only have little manual experience or want to be ready quickly, such a kit is the best choice. You only need a few tools and have both the material and the required accessories already available to the appropriate extent.

frequently asked Questions

Why should the hedgehog house be cat-proof?

Because cats and dogs can become a significant threat to hedgehogs. However, with a small entrance and a stable construction, the risk of injury can be prevented.

Is special care of the cat-proof hedgehog house necessary?

Cleaning and changing the litter should be done at least once a year. It is important not to do this in late autumn or winter. Otherwise the animals would be disturbed.

Which material is better for the hedgehog house?

A wooden shelter is easier to move and quicker to set up. Stone variants are easier to insulate and more durable.

Category:

Animals in the garden