When should you feed wildlife? And what should you feed them? RSPCA experts have this advice

Here are the do’s and don’ts of feeding wildlife from the RSPCA

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Published: Monday, 01 July 2024 at 12:30 PM

Following the sad news about the death of Callum the stag we ask the RSPCA for advice on feeding wildlife and the do’s and don’ts.

It’s great that so many people want to help wildlife; we should be proud that we  are a nation of animal lovers, and providing food can be one of the many ways people can help, says RSPCA scientific officer Rebecca Machin.  

“We’ve already recruited thousands of Wildlife Friends who are taking simple actions in their own outdoor spaces and communities to make this a kinder place for wildlife to live, and we can’t wait to welcome even more animal lovers on to the scheme.

“But there are some important things to consider before feeding any wild mammal or bird,” adds Rebecca. Here are her top tips. 

What shouldn’t you feed wildlife?

It’s vital not to feed an animal food that could be unnatural, unhealthy or even toxic to them. Even if a wild animal appears tame and friendly to humans, they should not be fed inappropriately, as this can lead to long-term problems and in some cases, even death.

Wild animals have specific nutritional needs which, usually, they can meet themselves without the help of us humans. However, as humans remove more of wild animals’ natural habitats, this can make it harder for them to find natural food sources. 

Be careful when feeding wild mammals in public spaces or parks. If animals become used to receiving food from people, they can become tame, which puts them at risk from harm if they come into conflict with other people.

What and when should you feed wildlife

There are times when leaving food out for some wild animals – such as garden birds and hedgehogs – can really make a difference, particularly during the dry summer months and the depths of winter, when wildlife can struggle to find food. 

When feeding wildlife, be careful to provide only small amounts so that they don’t become dependent on non-natural food supplies. This also stops problems arising if you have neighbours who don’t welcome animals attracted by food.

How can people help wildlife?

As well as feeding the wildlife in your garden when they really need it, people can help them by providing plenty of fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing. And don’t forget to be wildlife-friendly when you’re tending to your garden this summer; take care when using lawn mowers or strimmers and keep pesticides out of reach of animals.

And if you’re enjoying some sports in the back garden, don’t forget to remove any equipment after use to stop animals from getting caught in sports netting. We also recommend replacing pond or plant netting with solid metal mesh, too.

Why you should not feed other people’s animals – including livestock, horses and pets – without the owner’s permission

We urge the public never to feed livestock or other peoples’ pets, without the consent of the owner. Indeed, their owners will already be providing them with food and the animals may be on specialist diets to control health problems or other issues. Foods that may seem innocent can actually be highly dangerous to some animals. For example, a pony in a bare-looking paddock might be on restricted grazing to reduce the risk of laminitis – a life-threatening condition caused by lush grass.

Find more information about feeding wildlife safely on the RSPCA website.