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Old 04-22-2017, 02:42 AM   #11
cypher
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Default Re: is this safe?

I wouldn't worry April, you really weren't that badly misinformed tbh, young syrians can be prone to wet tail & the stress of moving to a new home can sometimes cause their immune system to be overwhelmed & the probiotics could hep prevent that.
It really won't have hurt him at all & that brand is used by many experienced owners for their sick hams & they really wouldn't be giving anything harmful.
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Old 04-22-2017, 02:45 AM   #12
AprilPearl
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Default Re: is this safe?

Thank you for the reassurance Cypher. I just did not realise that dextrose was an artificaial sweetner as Amity says! I did check the ingredients before giving it to him. I remember a study where they fed rats artificial sweetners and they all developed tumours. I don’t want that happening to Mushu.

Edit: Just looked up dextrose and it is apparently a natural sweetner. Does that mean it doesn’t cause cancer?

“Dextrose is made when starchy plants -- primarily corn (and less commonly wheat or rice) -- are broken down into monosaccharides using enzymes, and to a lesser extent acids. Because it's from natural sources, dextrose is considered "natural," but it is still processed.”

I am still going to stop feeding the Pro C, because obviously I do not not want him getting vitamin imbalances, and too much sugar is bad, but I would like to know that I have not been giving Mushu cancer.

Last edited by AprilPearl; 04-22-2017 at 02:56 AM.
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Old 04-22-2017, 03:26 AM   #13
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Default Re: is this safe?

Dextrose isn't exactly natural in the sense that other sugars would be,for example the sugar naturally found in fruit.Just because it is naturally sourced doesn't make it healthy though,even if it may seem that way to others

I did forget it isn't quite an artificial(still not natural,and processed making it really unhealthy regardless)sweetener but it is still something you don't need or want in a probiotic.Look for superior quality ones in the future as needed,but don't feel like you have to jump to using a product because a pet shop employee seemingly demands it or because something is popular!

Cancer is a tricky thing.Any sort of product that is known to cause cancer takes time to build up in the system(hence why some would assume just because their pet doesn't get cancer from for example known cancer causing preservatives BHA/BHT/ethoxyquin means it's a myth or something along those lines,but even minimal exposure is best avoided)so it's not likely that you're causing him cancer right now.As long as you're feeding only healthy products and staying far away from anything known to cause cancer,you've only got genetics to worry about,which you can do nothing about
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Old 04-22-2017, 03:37 AM   #14
AprilPearl
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Default Re: is this safe?

Thank you Amity. I am definitely not going to go giving him any more. However, I guess what I wanted to check is that it is not the same sort of sweetener as that used in the rats experiment (aspartame) because that one has a fair amount of evidence behind it to support the fact that it causes cancer in rodents. I was by no means saying that just because dextrose is kind of natural that I think it is healthy!

I just wanted to check that it is not known to cause cancer in rodents and checking with more knowledgeable people such as your good self seemed to be the best way to find out.

Thank god for this forum. Why do I make so many mistakes?! I always blindly trust what people tell me. Sigh. I let Mushu down :/
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Old 04-22-2017, 03:39 AM   #15
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Default Re: is this safe?

Everyone makes mistakes,so try not to feel bad Even the seemingly best make mistakes,I know I've made plenty mistakes and near mistakes over time with all sorts of pets!The important part is learning from them,and growing from the experience
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Old 04-22-2017, 03:48 AM   #16
AprilPearl
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Default Re: is this safe?

You're probably right, but I feel as though with pets I have a responsibility to get things right! Thanks again for helping me in that endeavour
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Old 04-22-2017, 09:42 AM   #17
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Default Re: is this safe?

The Pro-C probiotic is safe for hamsters though and it won't hurt Mushu if he's only had a bit, but it is unnecessary unless he is on antibiotics. I have used that exact one many times with my guinea pigs and they've always been fine with it, but I only sprinkle it on their veg if one of them is ill.

Unfortunately Pets At Home do provide outdated information and point you to the worst things. I haven't thankfully been 'advised' on what's best for my pets, but I have seen them treat some hamsters pretty badly and sell Roborovskis as the "perfect pet for young children" (I think robos make great pets, but not for small children who won't understand that robos are harder to tame and shouldn't be grabbed or squeezed).
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Old 04-22-2017, 09:51 AM   #18
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Default Re: is this safe?

Thank you Chesca. I feel a bit better about it now! I am glad I didn’t do any harm to him.

I think there is unfortunately a lot of misinformed people out there. It is just so unfortunate when they are put in positions when they can then misinform others in turn! I am so glad for this forum.
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Old 04-22-2017, 11:46 AM   #19
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Default Re: is this safe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
Actually I'd say they're unsafe Mineral chews are really not a good idea for the majority of animals to begin with,especially hamsters,and can cause serious health problems as you're adding unnecessary minerals into the diet and this can cause a very serious dietary imbalance.Not only is that part unsafe,but there's also a tiny bell which is not a safe style for any animal(bells are also inappropriate for hamsters,as the noise can be very irritating to them).The hanging style would be very risky and from the photo alone I can see at least one potential place for injury.

As for pumice,that would be unsafe as well.It's a lot harder than some chews and could cause problems,plus it probably isn't the most digestible material unlike Whimzees or high quality dog biscuits(with no unsafe preservatives no matter how labelled including E&C approved antioxidants and such,no digest/derivatives/meat of any sort and bone meal/unspecified liver/etc,no artificial ingredients,etc).
Quote:
Originally Posted by DennisJones View Post
I wouldnt for the reasons above, plus its from China so you wont know for certain what materials were used or where it was manufactured.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
That's an excellent point about Chinese products!I know they're terrible for dog and cat products,so I'd assume they'd be just as awful with other pet items due to their lack of appropriate regulation if any regulation at all

oh gosh, thank you all for the replies! i had my doubts on their safety, but figured there would be no harm in asking- now i'm especially glad i did! i will definitely not be buying them. thank you all again!
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