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Old 11-07-2015, 01:35 AM   #1
lovelyhamsters5
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Default Einstein's food issue

Hey guys! it has been forever since I have posted anything! Einstein is still somewhat energetic at night but not as much as he used to be (he's almost a year old now) But I just want to jump into what's happening with Einstein. So Einstein is a Syrian Hamster almost one year old now and his eating habits are starting to change. He won't eat his dry kibble anymore and he leaves almost all of his dinner in the bowl (he takes the few things he likes). Also I usually drip some vitamins onto his favorite treats so he gets his vitamins considering he hasn't been eating his kibble that has essential ingredients. I'm just wondering if I should just stop feeding him kibble all together considering he doesn't eat it and find another way to provide some form of protein. I've already been feeding him almonds which he LOVES but I'm wondering if that is enough. I really want to know what some good meal plans are for year old hamsters (I know every hamster is different but I want a starting point ). Also, I am wondering if the vitamins are keeping him from eating, also his poops have been "irregular" like stringy, I feel like it is because of the vitamins and that he has been getting to much so I've cut back and basically stopped for now. Plllleeeease give me some tips on what Einstein should be eating I'm really lost here, Thank you guys sooooo much!
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Old 11-07-2015, 02:13 AM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Einstein's food issue

I think some of the more experienced members would suggest getting his teeth checked by a vet if he's not eating properly. I wouldn't give too many almonds. I think they are ok if they are human grade ones without the skins. I give Charlie half a brazil nut a couple of times a week - they are high in protein. Do you give fresh veg every day as well? Cooked veg might be best (softer) if his teeth are causing problems - a small (like 1cm cubed size approx) piece of carrot or broccoli, or cauliflower each day - I rotate these for variety. That will help him get vitamins and they usually eat veg without fail as they like it. I don't think I'd use vitamin drops unless prescribed by a vet. You can also supplement his protein with a little bit of scrambled egg and the occasional piece of chicken.

I've seen others recommending getting science selective biscuits for food and soaking them to make them soft and mushy, if teeth are a problem - I believe they contain all the nutrients and he can't selectively feed with these.

Does he seem healthy otherwise?

I'm not sure what you mean by kibble - do you have a photo? Sorry that's probably a US/Uk language thing that needs translating lol.
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Old 11-07-2015, 02:17 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Einstein's food issue

Which hamster mix are you using & have you changed brands or anything?
Treats & vitamin drops aren't going to keep him healthy, it's easy to overdo vitamin drops which can be harmful & treats won't provide the balanced nutrition he needs, almonds do contain some protein but also a lot of fat so they should be a rare treat not a staple. It's not just protein you need to consider either, he really needs the right balance of protein, fat, fibre, vitamins & minerals.
It sounds as though he can manage to eat ok so you may need to go the tough love route, stop the treats & leave his food until he eats it, I know that may sound a bit mean but he will be a lot healthier with a balanced diet & ultimately happier for it.
You could try a different brand of food or even something like oxbow if he's being really stubborn.
He may well be lacking in fibre, that could cause his poo to appear different, do you feed any fresh veg?

ETA kibble is a little confusing! Do you mean a lab block like oxbow or a muesli type mix?
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Old 11-07-2015, 05:39 AM   #4
lovelyhamsters5
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Default Re: Einstein's food issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
I think some of the more experienced members would suggest getting his teeth checked by a vet if he's not eating properly. I wouldn't give too many almonds. I think they are ok if they are human grade ones without the skins. I give Charlie half a brazil nut a couple of times a week - they are high in protein. Do you give fresh veg every day as well? Cooked veg might be best (softer) if his teeth are causing problems - a small (like 1cm cubed size approx) piece of carrot or broccoli, or cauliflower each day - I rotate these for variety. That will help him get vitamins and they usually eat veg without fail as they like it. I don't think I'd use vitamin drops unless prescribed by a vet. You can also supplement his protein with a little bit of scrambled egg and the occasional piece of chicken.

I've seen others recommending getting science selective biscuits for food and soaking them to make them soft and mushy, if teeth are a problem - I believe they contain all the nutrients and he can't selectively feed with these.

Does he seem healthy otherwise?

I'm not sure what you mean by kibble - do you have a photo? Sorry that's probably a US/Uk language thing that needs translating lol.
Yeah he seems healthy otherwise he runs on his wheel almost all night still just not as fast as he used to, his pee isn't discolored, and he still drinks a decent amount of water. He looks healthy overall he is just a really picky eater it seems. And the "kibble" is like the basic store bought hamster food that has all the "essentials" mine is from the company of "oxbow." But i Have noticed Einstein's not chewing on anything at all anymore he just really loves his wheel and likes to hide in places in his cage. I give him squash and small pieces of baby carrot whenever I give him vegetables. Do you have any foods that I should feed him for now until I bring him to the vet? Because I'm lost on what to feed him right now he's always loved food and now he's really picky and just likes seeds and squash and his little treat and he doesn't get enough nutrients from that.
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Old 11-07-2015, 05:44 AM   #5
lovelyhamsters5
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Default Re: Einstein's food issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
Which hamster mix are you using & have you changed brands or anything?
Treats & vitamin drops aren't going to keep him healthy, it's easy to overdo vitamin drops which can be harmful & treats won't provide the balanced nutrition he needs, almonds do contain some protein but also a lot of fat so they should be a rare treat not a staple. It's not just protein you need to consider either, he really needs the right balance of protein, fat, fibre, vitamins & minerals.
It sounds as though he can manage to eat ok so you may need to go the tough love route, stop the treats & leave his food until he eats it, I know that may sound a bit mean but he will be a lot healthier with a balanced diet & ultimately happier for it.
You could try a different brand of food or even something like oxbow if he's being really stubborn.
He may well be lacking in fibre, that could cause his poo to appear different, do you feed any fresh veg?

ETA kibble is a little confusing! Do you mean a lab block like oxbow or a muesli type mix?
I actually have oxbow already lol and I haven't changed his mix I did once when he was really young but he didn't like it so I switched back to oxbow, I will try doing that, I'll just give him his normal mix from now on until he starts eating it again! It sounds like a really good idea! Thank you for your input!
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Old 11-07-2015, 05:52 AM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: Einstein's food issue

I'd try giving him more green veg like broccoli, a little lettuce but not too much, as they do tend to have more vitamins & minerals but there's a wide range of veg they can have so experiment a bit & give as much variety as you can only one small piece of something each day though.
If he likes seeds why not try to find a good muesli type food rather than the all in one oxbow type, I can't say I blame them if they get bored with those! I know it's not so easy in the US but might be worth looking to see what you can get with a good nutrient level.
Check out this list if you're at all unsure what veg to give.
Safe and Unsafe Food and Plants - Hamster Central WIKI
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