Help - fruit sticks

saori · 11-08-2012, 07:01 AM

So I just got my first hamster couple of weeks ago. And I bought him a fruit stick. On a package it said that I should keep one in a cage all the time.
But today I bought a different fruit stick from pets at home:

Fruit Sticks 2 Pack for Hamsters by Pets at Home | Pets at Home

And on this one it says that I should just give him them as a treat. So which one is it? I am so confused

On some websites I even read that they can be unhealthy!

My hamster seems to love those sticks and he has lots of fun with them. Can I have one in the cage all the time?

I would really appreciate some advice from someone more experienced

Thanks in advance <3

HollyHamster · 11-08-2012, 09:04 PM

I would feed them as a treat only. They are very rich and one should last a while anyways.

Gibbs&JackBlack · 11-08-2012, 09:35 PM

I'm sure your hamster does like it because it's like hamster junk food! yum!
They are high in sugar so should just be used as a treat-definitely not every day. You'd have one fat ham on your hands if you gave it daily

I give one at Christmas and that's about it. Otherwise, fruit is a great treat for hamsters. They love it and it's healthier.
Of course the manufacturer says to give it daily because they want to sell their product and they don't really have a clue about hamster nutrition.....

Call me Alison · 11-09-2012, 05:11 AM

you should def only feed as a treat as the others have said.

i know a few of the brands say to have them in the cage at all times.

maybe get a millet spray and hang it up, lt's lots of fun for the ham and a lot more healthy!

xxxx

saori · 11-09-2012, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the replies

The stick is no longer in his cage.

Thanks so much!

shazd84 · 11-09-2012, 10:57 AM

I've had one of these in Jacksons cage since I got him, he's gone through two sticks in two weeks. I'm now wondering whether these may have caused his upset tummy/diarrhea?!

SammyJo · 11-09-2012, 12:48 PM

Shazd, it would make sense, it's a lot of dried fruit, all dried fruits are high in fiber and some have a laxative affect on top of that. As the others have said it's like us eating only sugary junk too. I'd limit them from now on.

shazd84 · 11-09-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammyJo

Shazd, it would make sense, it's a lot of dried fruit, all dried fruits are high in fiber and some have a laxative affect on top of that. As the others have said it's like us eating only sugary junk too. I'd limit them from now on.

I definitely will. It makes me so cross that these pet shops can be SO misleading... selling you cages that are too small, selling fluffy bedding saying its safe, and selling fruit sticks they say to put in their cage everyday. For people who don't know any better (like myself, prior to the advice I've been given here) it can cause all sorts of problems!

RedStarBlackpool · 12-02-2012, 12:05 PM

On the same subject, what about the corn on the cob sticks that you get in the shops? I used to have one of these in the cage with my two previous hams, they never seemed to come to any harm from it.

lorrapaw · 12-04-2012, 09:56 AM

I usually put one in felix's cage once a week when i clean cage and he loves it and hes definately not overwight. He likes the stickles banana and honey ones.