How often should I treat my Siri?

Spark · 03-12-2011, 09:06 AM

Hi all,

Suggs is my first hamster (Syrian) - only had her a couple of weeks, and of course, I just can't stop buying her bits and bobs. I've got a selection of treats, ranging from yoghurt drops to cheesy popcorn treats (all specifically for hammies). I tend to give her 2/3 things throughout the day (pop one in her cage for her to find in the morning, one or two at night during playtime), but I'm paranoid she's getting porky.

How often shold I treat her? I give her a tablespoon of standard hamster mix a day, and a slice of fresh apple every other.

I just thought about the relative size of some of these treats - the drops I have for her would be the equivalent of a giant tub of yoghurt for me!

Gillzy · 03-12-2011, 09:39 AM

That's sounds about right :/ I probably give Sen too many treats - I like it when she takes food out of my hand. So I've recently started just giving her bits of her food mix. I would suggest you weigh her. I put Sen in a bowl with a bit of veg (taring the bowl and veg) so she sits still. That way you'll know if you're feeding her too much

Fidgetthefirst · 03-12-2011, 10:21 AM

I'd say, but this is just my opinion, that its too much, but only slightly!
I would reduce the amount of apple, maybe every 3-4 days? I have 3 'salad' days a week for Milo, where he'll get a bit of everything but only quite small amounts so he can eat it all quickly so it doesn't go brown and gross

But if its working for your hamster and hes not overweight stick with what your doing

Womblehands · 03-12-2011, 10:24 AM

mine get a treat every two days.. might be some veg, fruit, or hammy treat such as yoghurt drops etc... and every cage clean they get a piece of dried banana and 3 monkey nuts each..and three times a week they have cooked rice or some ready brek

SnickersTheFirst · 03-12-2011, 10:24 AM

Maybe have some variation of different fruits and veg instead of just apple? Check out the wiki for a list of safe foods. I think how often you feed her treats is fine though.

Spark · 03-12-2011, 10:29 AM

Thank you both! I'll cut down on the apple (I know it's quite sugary).

I will also invest in some digital scales - my current set is years old and deals in imperial weight... I dun get it! xD

She's definately grown over the last couple of weeks, when I bought her she (although I thought I was getting a HE) was in a small cage with two others (brothers and/or sisters), so it's possible she's getting more food now she doesn't have to share.

I've also just moved her from a Rotastak cage with a tiny wheel, so I hope now she has a bigger one she'll be more interested in using one! I do let her roam around a lot, so hopefully she's getting enough exercise to keep her happy and healthy.

She's 9/10 weeks old now, do they tend to grow steadily over time 'til maturity, or in spurts?

amyXlovesXhamstersX · 03-12-2011, 10:31 AM

Ruby gets pasta once a week, and fruit or veg a few times depending on what i have... She only gets a yoghurt drop or a choc drop once every few weeks! Oh, and porridge once a week, and a millet spray every cage clean out...

Gillzy · 03-12-2011, 10:32 AM

Hmm I think I over feed Sen - I just weighed her and she's gained a fair bit (I put it in the weigh-in thread).

What about seeds, and dari? How often would you guys given them?

I give Sen 4 sunflower seeds and two pumpkin seeds (her food mix doesn't have many seeds in it) every night and then a monkey nut/choco drop/popcorn/few pieces corn on the cob (though I don't like giving her the drops) and she usually gets a bit of my breakfast (i.e. a shreddy or a half teaspoon of porridge) most mornings. And I give her a bit of veg/fruit and a couple of small branches of dari every 2-3 days.

It does look like I feed her too much looking at all that...

Spark · 03-12-2011, 10:32 AM

Ahh, sorry Womble and Snickers, you posted as I was writing that!

Oooh Ready Brek - I love that! Great excuse to get some heehee. I feel safe with apple, but you're right, she deserves more variety.

Thing is, I'm so rubbish at eating my 5 a day that anything fresh I do buy would go to waste. Perhaps it's time for a diet overhaul

Spark · 03-12-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyXlovesXhamstersX

and a millet spray every cage clean out...

Oooh, what's this?!