Baby food suitable for hamsters

[Pebbles82]

I decided to check manufacturer websites for ingredients and find a list of baby foods that could be suitable for hams with eating difficulties (in addition to softened hamster mix). This is as at May 2016.

I left out anything that contained onion, garlic, leek, tomato, spices, lemon juice and added vitamins (not sure if quantities of vitamins would be suitable), which actually doesn't leave that many!

Generally they are the 4 month old ones as the ones for older babies seem to nearly all have onion etc in.

Note: once opened, refrigerate and use within 24 hours - is on most of them - so one pot will be ok for a second night after being opened the first night - some will need to go to waste or be eaten by humans )

SAVOURY

HIPP

"Sweet squash and chicken" - age 4 months version

HiPP Organic | Sweet Squash and Chicken

COW AND GATE

1) "Carrot and lamb hotpot" - age 4 to 6 months version

Carrot & lamb hotpot - Cow & Gate

2) "Tasty cottage pie" AGE 7 MONTHS (note the age 4 months cottage pie has tomato in - this one doesn't).

Tasty cottage pie - Cow & Gate


Possibly (too much milk might not be good):

3) "Friends Cauliflower Cheese and Pasta" (contains skimmed milk and cream)

Friends Cauliflower, Cheese & Pasta - Cow & Gate



CEREAL/BREAKFAST FOODS

These are milky - so occasionally maybe

COW AND GATE

Creamed porridge age 6 months (contains sugar). Might be easier to make it!

Creamed porridge baby breakfast - Cow & Gate

Packets of baby rice contain added vitamins so probably easier to buy standard oats or rice flour, or semolina, and make a porridge from them with water or add a bit of mashed banana or other fruit.

DESSERTS/FRUIT

Not many here as so many contain lemon juice or added ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

COW AND GATE

Rice Pudding - age 7 months (contains sugar)

http://www.cowandgate.co.uk/article/ricepudding

Banana delight - age 7 months (contains sugar)

http://www.cowandgate.co.uk/article/banana-delight

HIPP

Banana custard - age 4 months (contains sugar)

http://www.hipp.co.uk/products/our-b...banana-custard

HEINZ

Most of these have added iron so I left them out as wasn't sure if the amounts were suitable for hamsters.

ORGANIX

These are primarily fruit and veg puree with acid or added vitamins, so left them out.

ELLAS KITCHEN

Most are purees and a lot seem to have some unusual ingredients or added vitamins or lemon juice so left them out


Apart from the Savoury ones, it's probably easier just to mash a banana or make a bit of porridge or ground rice pudding I reckon, although the dessert pots could be handy for a quick extra.

Sounds like the main thing is to soften a hamster mix to make sure they get all their nutrients.

[freyashamsters]

I've always been curious about exactly what baby foods are safe for hamsters to consume and I can safely say that you have given me the information I need

Using this, I'm definitely going to buy a few jars of what you mentioned

I think it would be very helpful if this was stickied

[CMB]

Would it be ok to put the unused baby food into an ice cube tray, freeze it and then defrost a cube when needed?

[Pebbles82]

I don't know that one It's a good idea if it's possible. I guess you'd need to check the individual jar and see if it says it is suitable for freezing or not.

[pixiehollow]

I always freeze left over baby food I put it in a ziplock bag and then squish it flat, then when frozen I smash it up and let pieces thaw lol. An ice cube takes forever to defrost, when its flat it takes no time and can layer the bags in the freezer

I use mainly ellas kitchen pouches but sparingly and mine adore them, have never had any negative effects They also have the cow and gate banana and strawberry breakfast. Its a powder that I mix with baby milk lol. That goes down a treat too and easier because powder can be made to a specific quantity

[cypher]

I've always used ice cube trays, just a little in each section as if you completely fill one cube it would probably be too much & it seems to defrost in next to no time really.
Some do say don't freeze, no idea why it may just be that the texture changes but they're actually fine!

[ScoobyWoo]

Great thread Serendipity, very useful!

[barley]

Originally Posted by cypher

Some do say don't freeze, no idea why it may just be that the texture changes but they're actually fine!

Possibly because the meat has been frozen before being cooked and made into the baby food? Only a suggestion, but it said this on a pouch of dog food and I queried it with the manufacturer as I wanted to freeze it (in a Kong) and that's what they said. I do go ahead and freeze it anyway and like you say, it's always fine.

Anyway, thanks Serendipity for this list - it's really useful!

[pinkneon]

In my stash I have the HiPP organic potatoes and carrot, and the Cow & Gate Chicken, potato and broccoli ...

[cypher]

barley it could have been meat in the do not freeze one, not sure now it was so long ago but I have a feeling some of the veg/cheese ones say so too.

These are some of the ones I used, can't remember them all now, but these are safe & went down well!

Cow & Gate Baby Cauliflower Cheese Jar
Cow & Gate Baby Cauliflower Cheese Jar 125G 4 Mth+ - Groceries - Tesco Groceries
Cow & Gate Broccoli Cheese Jar 250G
Cow & Gate Broccoli Cheese Jar 250G 10 Mth+ - Groceries - Tesco Groceries
Friends broccoli, cheese & pasta
Friends Broccoli, Cheese & Pasta - Cow & Gate

These two are a bit on the sweet side so probably better for a syrian then a dwarf!
Cow & Gate Pumpkin And Carrot With Chicken Jar
Cow & Gate Pumpkin And Carrot With Chicken Jar 125G 4 Mth+ - Groceries - Tesco Groceries
Ella's Kitchen Organic Sweet Potato Broccoli And Carrot
Ella's Kitchen Organic Sweet Potato Broccoli And Carrot 120G - Groceries - Tesco Groceries