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Pebbles82 · 06-22-2016, 02:59 PM

Hay is safe in the house but it's a good idea to stick it in the freezer in its plastic bag for a week. Just in case there are any bug eggs in there. It's just a precaution really. As the others say, hay isn't necessary for hamsters and can be a bit of a problem too.

You need

1) Bedding (substrate) - there are a number of choices, but not pine or cedar bedding. Some pine bedding is kiln dried which makes it less of a problem, but there are lots of alternatives - Carefresh, Kaytee Clean and Cosy, Boxo, Oxbow paper bedding or aspen.

2) Food - a good hamster mix. Some recommendations above. You can give them a thumbnail sized piece of fresh veg each every 2 or 3 days - that will be very popular with them! There's a list of safe veg on here - I tend to stick to broccoli, carrot, cauliflower or cucumber mainly. No sugar or fruit to avoid risk of diabetes. So the hamster mix needs to be one that isn't full of sugar.

3) Salt lick - not really necessary. I think they were recommended at one time, but not now.

Your boys are going to have a lovely surprise when they come back and find all this!

06-22-2016, 02:59 PM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Feeding help Hay is safe in the house but it's a good idea to stick it in the freezer in its plastic bag for a week. Just in case there are any bug eggs in there. It's just a precaution really. As the others say, hay isn't necessary for hamsters and can be a bit of a problem too. You need 1) Bedding (substrate) - there are a number of choices, but not pine or cedar bedding. Some pine bedding is kiln dried which makes it less of a problem, but there are lots of alternatives - Carefresh, Kaytee Clean and Cosy, Boxo, Oxbow paper bedding or aspen. 2) Food - a good hamster mix. Some recommendations above. You can give them a thumbnail sized piece of fresh veg each every 2 or 3 days - that will be very popular with them! There's a list of safe veg on here - I tend to stick to broccoli, carrot, cauliflower or cucumber mainly. No sugar or fruit to avoid risk of diabetes. So the hamster mix needs to be one that isn't full of sugar. 3) Salt lick - not really necessary. I think they were recommended at one time, but not now. Your boys are going to have a lovely surprise when they come back and find all this!