Cleaning - how often? - Page 3

Pebbles82 · 06-22-2016, 07:02 AM

It can be confusing! The main thing is they need a minimum of 18% protein in their mix during their first year. They have a fast metabolism and can run miles in a night in their wheel - the high protein is really important to keep their weight up and keep healthy and fit.

There's a good "sticky" thread here that compares the different mixes and protein levels - the thread is about 3 years old but mostly still correct. I've tried other mixes (Burgess Supahamster, JR Farm and Bunny Dream) but not all of it got eaten. Harry hamster has pieces in that are a good size for a syrian and it's the only one our hamster eats all of. Although there are some hamsters who don't like it I believe. I think the Versele Laga Crispy Muesli would be fine for an older hamster but maybe not for one younger than a year old, even with supplementation as then it's a bit hit and miss.

If your lovely new hammy needs a bit of building up, I'd gradually switch his mix over to HH over a couple of weeks and see how he gets on then. You can still supplement as well

Mix Comparison

AmityvilleHams · 06-22-2016, 07:13 AM

I won't lie,at first I couldn't even calculate a percentage on my own!Of course,everyone has to start somewhere

I think it's easiest to start with a high protein mix,which is possible in the UK.It makes a lot of the frustration go away that comes with calculating protein percentages and having to get extra protein in!

cypher · 06-22-2016, 07:22 AM

These are my favourite very handy high protein low fat supplement/treat if you're still looking for something, the hams go mad for them & there's no worries about bits of fresh chicken getting lost in the substrate if it's not all scoffed in one go!
I use fresh water shrimps but they are really tiny so not sure if it's more of a favourite with dwarfs rather than syrians.

MrNibbles · 06-22-2016, 02:40 PM

@cypher: They do look yummy, I must admit!

I think I've got quite a good list of muesli mixes and ideas for protein supplements now. Thanks everyone.

If someone could just enlighten me which kind of Briscok dog biscuits might be suitable? Apart from the vegetable dental toothbrushes Cookie doesn't seem to gnaw on anything. He stacks some of the gnawing treats in his house but he doesn't really eat them.
Otherwise I think I should move to the Feeding/Nutrition forum

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AmityvilleHams · 06-22-2016, 08:23 PM

I wouldn't use any Pedigree,Purina,or other big brand dog food products as they can contain rendered meats(such as euthanized pets),unspecified "meat products" or for example "(chicken,cow,etc) biproducts" which can be anything including blood,feathers,hooves,skin,urine,etc.They also almost always contain BHT/BHA/ethoxyquin,a dangerous chemical known to cause cancer,as well as other chemical preservatives and unnecessary unhealthy ingredients.This is all common information in the US,but apparently not so well known in the UK!

cypher · 06-22-2016, 10:24 PM

These are the Biscrok biscuits I & other members use & find they hams really seem to enjoy.

Pebbles82 · 06-22-2016, 11:10 PM

I haven't tried any of them. Amityville has a point there actually "meat and animal derivatives" probably isn't particularly healthy! I don't know how much hamsters actually eat of them, it's more for gnawing. But there are lots of other things to chew as well.

I just got Charlie some of these to perk him up a bit and encourage gnawing. The reviews suggested that hamsters really like them so I thought I'd try them. They are just wood chews but with a fruity flavour that seems to attract them. I put the carrot one out and Charlie nabbed it like lightning and took it back to his nest!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Chews with tasty food on go down well too - I like the Rosewood naturals ones - no nasties in them. The dandelion sticks were Charlie's favourites. The first time I gave him one he ignored it for over a week - clearly not sweet enough. Then one night he had a go at it and found he really liked it! (It makes me think of the Dr Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham" lol). After that he would spend some time each night demolishing it. They are quite hard and also have the wood middle bit that their teeth chew on when they're demolishing the tasty bit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Na...BPZZYYVJ1TDKA5

Further down the page are some of the other flavours - but not all hamsters like all the flavours. Charlie won't touch anything with Strawberry in. I think he had the Cornflower and Daisy one once, and he loves the mini Rodent sticks.

And the Antos toothbrushes of course. Those are vegetable based so probably a bit healthier.

AmityvilleHams · 06-22-2016, 11:26 PM

Ratrations has an ingredients list for a lot of Rosewood products,by the way

I got a bit worried(mother hen of hamsters I swear!)because I don't like it when you have no idea what the ingredients of a product are,and so I went to the lovely Google and found that out.Of course,it was really Viovet's fault for not providing an ingredients list but they're still on my good side regardless for the awesome selection of healthy treats especially considering they ship just about everywhere

cypher · 06-22-2016, 11:33 PM

I really don't think you need worry about dog biscuits, in the main mix I wouldn't go for anything that says any kind of derivative whether animal or veg but a little bit for a chew isn't going to hurt.
They really can't be that much of a problem if they are actually required to be in the hams pen at shows!

Pebbles82 · 06-23-2016, 01:00 AM

This chew was very popular with Charlie when he was younger

It's quite big - about 3 inches long. He spent hours and hours chewing at this trying to get the carrot out of the middle! Before that he stripped all the bark off.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Bo...ood+carrot+log