Hamster losing fur - help!!!

[cypher]

I would stick to veg rather than fruit as fruit is too acidic for them to have much of it.
Green veg are always good, so broccoli, often a favourite with hams, small amounts of lettuce, cabbage or pak choi are fine too, things like peas (frozen are fine) are usually enjoyed too, cucumber or courgette, peppers are all liked by most.
I would go easy on the baby food unless he needs it for meds as they should really be eating their mix mostly, giving too much soft food means their teeth don't wear down as much as they should which can just lead to more problems.
A few small pieces of nut, flax/linseed, sunflower or pumpkin seeds make good treats, millet sprays are usually enjoyed too but his mix has quite a lot of millet already so maybe not such a good idea to give more.

This is my (almost!) complete list of veg that I use, excuse the bit about diabetes prone species which doesn't apply to you, I'm just copying & pasting the list I keep handy!

Safe veg, those marked * are relatively high in sugar so only feed to diabetes prone species as an occasional treat if at all.
Asparagus
Basil
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Common or red clover
Cabbage, green or red
Carrot*
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Coriander
Courgette
Cress (not mustard & cress as commonly sold together)
Cucumber
Dandelion leaves & flowers
Endive/chicory
Green beans/runner beans
Kale
Pak choi/Bok choi
Parsley
Peas/mange tout/sugar snap/snow*
Peppers, any colour
Potato/sweet potato cooked only*
Radicchio
Spinach
Squash/pumpkin*
Swede
Sweet corn/baby corn*
Turnip

[chewiesaurus]

Thanks both for all that - I'll definitely try broccoli and will bear in mind that veg is better than fruit! He's never tried broccoli before I don't think.

He's been having cod liver oil mixed into the baby food as it's the only way he'll eat it and it was one of my ex's home remedies for fur growth, he only has a tiny bit every day though!

Really hope he likes the veg <3

[cypher]

Cod liver oil is too high in the fat soluble vitamins so I would stop using that, the evening primrose is safe & I also use this omega oil for mine.

[chewiesaurus]

He likes broccoli!!!

He's got a couple of patches of new fur coming through - they're still mostly bald, but there's definitely something starting to grow there. I'm wondering whether it might be linked to the wooden toys I took out of his cage a few days ago?

Have decided I'm going to give him a couple of days to eat nice food and try to be friends with me again so that he doesn't feel like I'm just a nasty person who gives him nasty medicines/treatments and moves his furniture around his cage. I've also ordered various things off the internet (as suggested by people here) which will hopefully be here soon. Thanks for all the help!

Really hope he's okay - I love my little baby Fili!

[AmityvilleHams]

It shouldn't be wooden toys unless they were previously exposed to potential mites or other parasites,such as in a pet store without being in sealed packaging and then not being sterilized.

Maybe try offering delicious things in the syringe as well so that syringes aren't always negative?I've seen this advice for pet birds and it does make sense,positive reinforcement and using rewards ultimately help with bonding and making situations like this much easier and creating various rewards such as a nice treat like for example almond milk or a nondairy milk such as cashew,soy(soya in the UK),etc.Don't use dairy milk though as any form of dairy milk is unsafe for small animals.

[chewiesaurus]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Maybe try offering delicious things in the syringe as well so that syringes aren't always negative?I've seen this advice for pet birds and it does make sense,positive reinforcement and using rewards ultimately help with bonding and making situations like this much easier and creating various rewards such as a nice treat like for example almond milk or a nondairy milk such as cashew,soy(soya in the UK),etc.Don't use dairy milk though as any form of dairy milk is unsafe for small animals.

Omg that's such a good idea!!!!!

[cypher]

Good to hear he enjoyed his broccoli & there seems to be some improvement in his coat.

Wooden toys shouldn't cause a problem but some can have rough edges & splinters or even tiny nails which can cause small cuts or hair loss, some also have ridiculously tiny holes for hams to go through & if those holes are too small that's another thing that can rub away at the fur or cut the skin.

Good idea to give him a little time to settle again now, I'm sure all will be forgiven soon enough & I hope he's on the mend for good now.

[Pebbles82]

I think you and he will like Fitch I love it and it works out economical. Plus it's hypoallergenic and hammies seem to love building mountains with it lol. It's just recycled food grade paper but there is no dust and it works out cheap bought in bulk. I get the 10kg bag because I don't have space to store the 20kg one indoors. You need to store it indoors really or it can get damp and could go mouldy then. Ours is in the corner of the bedroom with a blanket over it so it looks like a child size beanbag

I think hamsters really love fresh veg. If you give it every 2 or 3 days at first and then eventually every day. Our Syrian's reason for getting up every day is to nab his piece of veg when it's put out. Cypher's list is great. I tend to alternate each day between broccoli, carrot, cucumber and something else. I get sugar snap peas, washed spinach, and all sorts for the hamster lol.

See how he goes with the paper bedding - it could well have been an allergy as they can be allergic to any type of wood.

[chewiesaurus]

The Fitch stuff came today! have changed his substrate to that and hoping he likes it - he's been mostly asleep so far. I just got the 1kg bag for the moment to see how he gets on with it.

His fur seems to be growing back in some places, but his skin is still dry/scabby in others look how cute, though! (sorry he's hard to get photos of!

[cypher]

He looks pretty good there really, hopefully his dry skin will improve with more time.

Hope he enjoys the fitch, I'm sure he will.