Tubby Ted: Blind Hedgehog Put on Diet After Doubling in Weight

Published: 27 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A hedgehog named Tubby Ted has become the latest celebrity at a Wiltshire wildlife rescue, but for reasons his carers say are “no laughing matter.” The five-year-old hedgehog, who is completely blind, has been placed on a strict calorie-controlled diet after ballooning to nearly twice the weight of an average adult hedgehog. At his peak, Ted weighed in at a staggering 1.9kg—comparable to a human weighing 20 stone—leaving him unable to perform the most basic hedgehog defense: rolling into a ball.

Ted was brought to the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital after a concerned member of the public found him waddling through a garden in Salisbury. Rescuers quickly realized that while Ted’s blindness was a lifelong condition, his obesity was a recent development likely caused by “over-generous” neighbors and a lack of natural foraging exercise.

Wildlife experts are using Ted’s story to warn the public about the dangers of “killing with kindness.”

The Backyard Buffet: Ted had reportedly been frequenting a series of gardens where residents were leaving out large bowls of high-protein kitten biscuits and mealworms.

The Mobility Issue: Because Ted is blind, he relies on his sense of smell. In a garden with a “bottomless bowl,” he didn’t have to travel to find food, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that caused his weight to skyrocket.

Health Risks: Much like humans, obese hedgehogs face increased risks of heart disease, fatty liver syndrome, and joint stress. More critically, a hedgehog that cannot “ball up” is completely defenseless against predators like badgers or foxes.

Ted is now several weeks into a specialized “slimming world” regime designed to get him back to a healthy 1kg.

Controlled Portions: Ted is being fed a measured amount of low-calorie, insect-based hedgehog food twice a day.

Hydrotherapy & Foraging: To encourage movement without straining his joints, Ted is placed in shallow water trays to “paddle” and is forced to find his food hidden inside “foraging logs” to keep his mind and body active.

Progress Report: So far, Ted has lost 200g. While he still has a “significant tummy,” he is reportedly showing more energy and is beginning to regain the ability to tuck his head in.

The Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital has issued a set of guidelines for those wishing to feed local wildlife without creating another “Tubby Ted.”

“We love that people want to help, but please, moderation is key,” said a senior rehabilitator. “A small handful of specialized hedgehog food or crushed cat biscuits is plenty. And please, avoid mealworms—they are like chocolate for hedgehogs and can lead to metabolic bone disease.”

Because of his blindness, Ted will never be released back into the wild. Once he reaches his target weight, he is expected to move into a “retirement garden”—a secure, enclosed outdoor space at a sanctuary where he can live out his days safely.

As Ted’s story goes viral, he has become an unlikely mascot for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, reminding us all that while a “tubby” hedgehog might look cute, a fit hedgehog is a safe one.

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