Sugar free Yogurt drops?

[Sancerree]

Hello,
I'm soon planning on adopting a winter white dwarf ham and currently trying to gather all supplies for him. I've already decided on the food mix for him (Harry Hamster mix which I will add a bit of Supreme Selective Hamster).

Once in Pets at Home, I've noticed Yogurt Drops, which I bought since I thought it would be a great occasional treat for the hamster.

I know that they are a source of controversy, and I also do know that dwarfs can be sometimes prone to diabetes. However, this claims to be a 'Sugar-free recipe'. At the back, the ingredients are: milk and milk derivatives (yoghurt powder 4%), oils and fats, cereal.

Would this be 'safe' then for a dwarf? I would only feed it occasionaly as a 'super treat'. Other than this I'm planning on providing fresh veg and greens every couple of days as more of a regular treat.

I will appreciate any advice!

[AmityvilleHams]

The ingredients are not very good, as they're relatively unspecified. Dairy is quite unhealthy for most pets anyways including hamsters, as they can't digest it! Even as a special treat they just aren't a good idea, being 100% junk food.

You could make a special veggie and seed and/or nut "cake" for special occasions as a good example of a healthy treat made more special.

[alpacassei]

Most Russian dwarfs actually prefer more savoury treats. Mine love the Rosewood and Woodlands natural treats available at p@h, especially the shrimp cookies.

[Fluffagrams]

Whilst there are some species of hamster that are prone to diabetes, diet is seldom the only cause and feeding a diet free from sugars will not prevent a hamster from developing diabetes if they’re genetically pre-disposed to it.

In terms of whether the treats actually are sugar free is difficult to say because it depends on how the manufacturers define ‘sugar free’. It may mean that it’s got no added sugars but there may still be some naturally occurring sugars from the dairy. Sometimes these dairy products can be processed to remove these sugars but it would be difficult to guarantee that this is the case.

Personally I wouldn’t choose to feed these sort of treats to my hamsters since I feel that there are healthier options out there and find that they seem to prefer things like seeds and mealworms. When I want to give them a special treat such as on their birthday, I usually find that plain cooked chicken is their favourite.

[Sancerree]

Originally Posted by alpacassei

Most Russian dwarfs actually prefer more savoury treats. Mine love the Rosewood and Woodlands natural treats available at p@h, especially the shrimp cookies.

Would you be able to link one of those since I’m not sure which one you are talking about? I am allergic to seafood so shrimp one I would prefer to avoid.


From what you are saying guys it does seem not the best idea after all, the yogurt drops.

[Ria P]

I'm just eating a small 68 kal vienetta ice cream stick which is 100% junk but tastes yummy and its a very occasional treat which i don't deny my hamster either. He gets a bit of cheese or biscuit at the weekend but doesn't like yoghurt or strawberries so never bothered with the yoghurt drops. If he'd love them he'd get a drop on a Sunday.

[Pebbles82]

I decided, after our last hamster, to only use healthy treats They are just as popular - so I use pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, the occasional blueberry, a bit of walnut or pecan nut etc. Hammies love fresh treats I wouldn't bother with yoghurt drops at all.

[alpacassei]

Originally Posted by Sancerree

Would you be able to link one of those since I’m not sure which one you are talking about? I am allergic to seafood so shrimp one I would prefer to avoid.


From what you are saying guys it does seem not the best idea after all, the yogurt drops.

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...22Woodlands%22 Some of them are out of stock online but theyre almost always available in store. The shrimp cookies are clearly labelled so they should be easy to avoid.

[Pebbles82]

These are healthy treats too - I used to use them as taming treats

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Na...gateway&sr=8-1