Can hamsters eat......

hamsterlover10109 · 09-20-2015, 01:09 PM

Hi there! I am soon going to be a new hamster owner very soon...and i wanted to know....can hamsters eat timothy hay?? I know it is not a nessecary nutrient for them like it is for guine pigs but can they have some too?

WinnieTheHam · 09-20-2015, 04:03 PM

Yes they can have a little bit. Although many people would advise against it because it's sharp and could poke a hammys eye. Sometimes it carries mites in it which will spread to your hamster.

If you do get some for your new ham i advise you to put it in the freezer for a couple of days - this will kill off the mites. When you feed it only give a small amount

cypher · 09-20-2015, 11:05 PM

I agree with what Winnie says, you do have to be careful to pick out any sharp bits to avoid the possibility of pouch injuries as well as protecting eyes, putting it in the freezer should get rid of any mites that might be there.
It isn't essential but if they do eat it it is a good source of fibre for them & some like to take it into their nests too.

Thin Lizzy · 09-21-2015, 04:22 AM

When are you getting your little ham? I bet you're excited and nervous.

racinghamster · 09-21-2015, 04:42 AM

I never use hay for these same reasons. Possible injury to eye or pouch. And of course mites being brought in from an infected bale/pack. Hay is basically fibre, so given most hamster foods contain flaked grains, these provide some fibre. Soft edible grass might be worth a try, but be careful it`s not too bulky or stringy. I remember buying some dry herbs sold for small animals for my last roborovski and he initially had a little nibble at the small amount I put in his cage, but most of the time it was just left strewn about uneaten.

Some hamster owners use hay a lot and never have any problems (or don`t report them) but I always think if something is likely to be a liability, avoid it. x

hamsterlover10109 · 09-21-2015, 05:32 PM

how about orachad grass hay by oxbow? Is that more safe than timothy?

cypher · 09-21-2015, 10:25 PM

All hay, grass & even dried herbs have the same potential problems, that doesn't mean you can't use them, just be aware, carefully check for sharp bits & any bugs that might have hidden in there!
I haven't tried the oxbow one so I don't know what it's like, I very rarely use any but I have found this one to be about the best of those I have tried.