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Old 01-17-2018, 03:33 AM   #1
Hammy992
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Default Increasing nutrition level in older hamsters?

Hello,

So as my hammy is going to be turning 2 at the start of April it got me thinking about whether or not he should be supplemented with more nutritional foods as he gets older.

I found plenty of posts regarding giving baby food and porridge for elderly hams who have trouble eating but not on giving these foods daily simply as a way to bolster their naturally weakening immune systems.

Do elderly hamsters, like ageing humans, benefit from extra amounts of nutrients in their diet even if they can still eat normally or would this just be piling on extra unneeded calories?
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Old 01-17-2018, 04:02 AM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: Increasing nutrition level in older hamsters?

I'd only give them as a treat / part of diet maybe once or twice a week. If they fill up on soft food then they tend not to eat the dry which they need to do to keep the teeth worn down. If they are unwell then it is different but aging hamsters do tend to use less energy as they sleep a lot so they don't need loads of extras. We also hold on extra proteins as they tend to be less able to process them and it strains the kidneys I think. A few extra fresh fruits and veggies are a good addition and if you like a vitamin supplement can be useful.
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Old 01-17-2018, 04:04 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Increasing nutrition level in older hamsters?

When our last Syrian was about two I began supplementing as he was starting to look a bit thin. While they do get a bit thinner or lose a bit of weight as they get older, it's important to check their teeth and make sure they can actually eat properly. If the teeth are overgrown they may need trimming at the vets. But even if the teeth aren't overgrown, they can get jaw pain or toothache in old age just like humans!

I continued to put out regular hamster mix (even if they can't eat hard food as well, they still like to pouch and hoard it and nibble on the odd bit). I also started putting out high calorie supplements.

Pecan nuts and hemp seeds are very high calorie and also healthy. One half of pecan nut a week though, and the hemp seeds I would put out in a little lid from a baby food jar once or twice a week. I would also put baby food out each day in a little egg cup and he really loved it. As they get older it is also about enriching their lives and not worrying so much about whether the supplements are that healthy! A bit of banana or a raisin goes down well too once a week.

For bolstering weakening immune systems brazil nuts are good I believe. I read an article on it.

So I had a special place I would put an extra each week (on a separate dish or his kabob) - makes it interesting to go round the cage finding things.

Half a brazil nut once a week, half a pecan nut once a week. In between maybe a small piece of banana or apple or a raisin, or a monkey nut.

As well as putting baby food out and hemp seeds once or twice a week. Charlie's condition improved and his life was more interesting, and he lived to 2 years and 8 months.

On the other hand, as long as they can eat their normal hamster mix and are getting all the nutrients there is no real need to supplement, but I think it's a good idea to make their life more fun or if getting a bit thinner.

With the baby foods - they need to be without onion, garlic, spices or tomato. The age four months ones are usually ok but I would still check the labels and only get the ones without those ingredients. So I had a selection of 3 or 4 and would give one two days on the trot (the jars only keep 24 hours in the fridge once opened, although some people freeze the contents in ice cube trays - I was too lazy lol).

Chicken and pumpkin, Grandpa's Sunday dinner and Boots fruity chicken were all favourites. Strangely Charlie didn't like the cauliflower cheese one - maybe too milky.
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Old 01-17-2018, 10:18 PM   #4
cypher
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Default Re: Increasing nutrition level in older hamsters?

If they can still eat their dry mix I also only give any soft foods like baby food or porridge about once a week as a treat.
They don't really need any extras but variety is always good so fresh veg each day varying it as much as you can will give a bit of a boost & I find they seem to enjoy their veg even more as they get older. That will help give more micronutrients without giving too much fat or protein, I tend to cut back on protein too as they get older.
If your hams fur begins to lose condition some extra flax seeds can make quite a difference.
I haven't really noticed any real problems with a weaker immune system but if you're concerned you could give a probiotic.
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