Are these safe?

AprilPearl · 06-26-2017, 07:20 AM

Been looking into buying some good freeze dried meat for Quigley so he gets some animal protein, as my family doesn't eat meat much so there isn't usually any in the house to give him.

I used to give Mushu the freeze dried thrive chicken, so I thought I might buy that. But, I noticed that they also do a number of other flavours and wanted to see which would be safe.

So, here they are:

Beef liver (not sure if liver is bad?):
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...reats-35g-tube

Tuna (I'm thinking this won't be ok):
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-100-tuna-cat-treats

Whitefish (also suspect not safe):
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...ish-cat-treats

Shrimp:
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...imp-cat-treats

And, of course, chicken:
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...ken-cat-treats

If anyone can recommend me any alternative hamster safe freeze dried meats that would be good too. I already have air dried chicken which I bought off Zooplus, so I am primarily looking fir freeze dried.

AmityvilleHams · 06-26-2017, 07:34 AM

The chicken and shrimp are definitely safe.As for beef liver(which is quite high in fat for hamsters),it could make a good rare occasion treat,but there are other choices which would be even better such as duck(their dog section has this,but the cat section doesn't).

I'm not too sure how I'd feel with the tuna or whitefish.However,if you're going to get a few other varieties it wouldn't be necessary to take the chance with fish(although some people consider it safe!).You're honestly set for extra animal protein once you have at least three varieties(such as chicken,shrimp,and duck).

Hekomi · 06-26-2017, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Been looking into buying some good freeze dried meat for Quigley so he gets some animal protein, as my family doesn't eat meat much so there isn't usually any in the house to give him.

I used to give Mushu the freeze dried thrive chicken, so I thought I might buy that. But, I noticed that they also do a number of other flavours and wanted to see which would be safe.

So, here they are:

Beef liver (not sure if liver is bad?):
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...reats-35g-tube

Tuna (I'm thinking this won't be ok):
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-100-tuna-cat-treats

Whitefish (also suspect not safe):
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...ish-cat-treats

Shrimp:
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...imp-cat-treats

And, of course, chicken:
https://thrivepetfoods.com/thriver-1...ken-cat-treats

If anyone can recommend me any alternative hamster safe freeze dried meats that would be good too. I already have air dried chicken which I bought off Zooplus, so I am primarily looking fir freeze dried.

I would not feed beef liver as it will be very fatty.

Tuna, yes, though I would probably not feed much as tuna, being a bigger fish, will be higher in mercury.

I would be more comfortable feeding whitefish, personally. Shrimp should also be safe.

Chicken is fine, and is turkey. I would probably stick with chicken and turkey personally, but the occasional fish won't hurt. They can have beef too, but I wouldn't use liver.

A good suggestion may be to look at some of the food suggestions on German pages as I know many of them feed a lot of animal proteins.

AprilPearl · 06-26-2017, 08:06 AM

Ok, so the chicken is safe and also the shrimp. Anyone have suggestions for freeze dried turkey, duck or beef?

SKB_Hamsters · 06-26-2017, 08:11 AM

I was looking on Zooplus and found freeze dried duck and beef - Cosma Snackies Freeze-dried Cat Snacks| Free P&P on orders Â£29+. Although I have never used them myself and have a different brand of freeze-dried chicken.
I have looked on Zooplus for freeze-dried Turkey but they don't seem to have any.

AmityvilleHams · 06-26-2017, 08:11 AM

https://thrivepetfoods.com/thrive-pr...uck-dog-treats

Those are the dog duck treats,not sure why they don't have turkey or beef as they're such common protein sources for dogs and cats.Someone else might be aware of another good UK brand for those proteins though!

Hekomi · 06-26-2017, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

https://thrivepetfoods.com/thrive-pr...uck-dog-treats

Those are the dog duck treats,not sure why they don't have turkey or beef as they're such common protein sources for dogs and cats.Someone else might be aware of another good UK brand for those proteins though!

Have you fed duck before? I'd be concerned that it has the same issues as beef liver - being fatty/greasy. But I've never bought it, or looked into it, so I honestly don't know, haha.

If it's fine, my pups have a new treat!

I can google for other brands, but alas, being a Canadian I'm not sure I know any off hand!

AprilPearl · 06-26-2017, 08:19 AM

Maybe not duck then, wouldn't want to risk it! The cosma beef things might work though

cypher · 06-26-2017, 08:21 AM

These are the best quality dried meat I've found, not a big fan of thrive nor are my hams! They love the chicken & duck, I don't give them tuna.
Duck is very high in fat, I only gave it for a while when chicken was out of stock & of course they'd rather have duck now but that's tough, they get chicken again!

One to avoid is Dokas, they go mouldy!

AmityvilleHams · 06-26-2017, 08:24 AM

It seems like duck has a bit of an undeserved reputation for being fatty,but it seems like mostly the skin is the fatty part while the breast for example isn't as fatty.However,I'd still feed other meats aside from duck and keep duck to being fed sparingly just in case.

I haven't personally tested duck myself(at least on its own),but I do know other forum members have used it and it isn't a problem.I'm not sure what brands you'd get in Canada or which would actually have duck(not duck liver if you're concerned about the fat,which rules out Orijen's duck singles which would be great otherwise).