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Old 10-30-2014, 05:00 AM   #1
cypher
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Default Chia seeds?

I'm sure someone mentioned feeding chia seeds somewhere but I can't remember who or where sorry!
I've used them sprouted for the hams but as they absorb so much water & are so mucilaginous I wasn't sure if straight seeds are good or bad for hams.
Any ideas?
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Last edited by cypher; 10-30-2014 at 05:27 AM.
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Old 10-30-2014, 06:25 AM   #2
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

I use a sprinkle of chia seeds on my hamsters food every once in a while. They're very nutrient dense and contain a lot of fiber and antioxidants, and the hams seem to love them and unlike flax seed, they are digestible in their normal state (flax seed must be ground or broken to be digested)
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Old 10-30-2014, 07:07 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

Thanks, I'll give it a go then & see if they like them.They probably will, they enjoy the sprouts but then they seem to love almost anything I sprout/grow for them.
I do grind up flax seeds for myself but the hams get whole ones & I never find any undigested seeds, I suspect their digestive system is better designed for breaking them down than ours is.
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Old 10-30-2014, 07:36 AM   #4
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

Ah, I wasn't aware of that. that's definitely probable, their diet is much rougher. I hadn't really thought about that.
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Old 10-30-2014, 08:19 AM   #5
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

Sharper teeth & one more stomach than we have must make for some pretty formidable digestive powers lol!
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Old 10-30-2014, 10:24 AM   #6
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

I'll have to make it known that Chia seeds should be hydrated at 1:10 Chia Seed:Water as it CAN dehydrate you or your hamsters from the inside. Chia seeds absorbs up to 10x it's weigh of liquid. For humans, it sounds ok since we know and we will drink more. Some hamsters doesn't drink as much and it can result in dehydration. Soaking also release the gel of Chia seeds, which is actually the more nutritious part of the seeds. I usually hydrate the seed for a day before giving to my hamsters.

On the good side, Chia seed would be beneficial for Dwarves since they're prone to diabetes. Chia seeds are known to control and maintain sugar levels. It also has 2 times the protein of any other seeds or grains.

NiceCrocs - Grounding seeds deflate their nutritional values, and my hamsters never had issues digesting their flaxseeds.

Last edited by Furkies; 10-30-2014 at 10:30 AM.
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Old 10-30-2014, 11:23 AM   #7
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

@Furkies: grinding flaxseed is beneficial to humans. Our digestive systems cannot digest the hulls. So in this case, not grinding them is what deflates the nutritional value; when whole, they pass through our systems without us absorbing any nutrition from them. I did make the mistake of thinking that hamsters couldn't digest them either, which was incorrect, and I apologize for the oversight. Either way, I don't keep flaxseed in the house, and so don't feed it to my hamsters.
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Old 10-31-2014, 01:45 AM   #8
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

Furkies we are talking about hamster proportions here, so maybe two or three seeds added to their mix once in a while, not something like a whole spoonful which could potentially cause problems if they were to ingest that much. Hams are like most animals & will drink if they need to & pet hams get more water in their diet than in the wild with the fresh veg most of us give them so I don't think you need to worry about dehydration.
I do know what you mean about grinding seeds, if done commercially they can be exposed to heat which can destroy or denature nutrients also once ground oxidation begins to destroy nutrients too, simple answer, grind them just prior to using them & it's no problem.
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Old 11-04-2014, 05:25 PM   #9
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

Re: Chia Seeds
Where do you get them?
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Old 11-04-2014, 05:32 PM   #10
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Default Re: Chia seeds?

Most pharmacies and health food stores sell them in large bottles
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