Hello! - Page 3

cypher · 05-20-2017, 11:03 PM

I think it depends where you are, I've found vets in the UK to be pretty good on animal nutrition from dogs to hamsters! I have no idea how experienced your vet is Olivia so it's always good to do some research too.

Olivia Catte · 05-30-2017, 12:06 PM

I have to agree with all of your points. That day, we’d taken Sherlock just to get a general check-up, you know, just to be sure because I wouldn’t be settled till I was assured he was in good shape. So the vet seemed to know a great deal of hamster anatomy, signs of illnesses, diseases, health, etc, so I thought he was pretty experienced. I’d also taken Sherlock's food along to ask him for personal advice, and he checked the ingredients and said it’s got all the required nutrients and proteins he needs. But still, I’m doing as much as I can to make sure he gets the right amount.
Also, yes, I’ve done so much research (my family thinks I’ve got a diploma in Hamsterology), I’m sort of confused as to how much nutrition they really need, and what I can do to supply everything. As for now, he gets only fresh fruits and veggies as treats since we don’t specifically get hamster treats anywhere nearby, and I bake some myself, plus a piece of boiled egg twice a week. I feel like he’s healthy and active, and we get along quite well.
Thanks anyway, guys, all your advice is helpful.

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Olivia Catte · 05-30-2017, 12:10 PM

Also, I just want to know if I should be worried if I find that he's sleeping too much, or his sleeping pattern gets irregular. Is it a sign of something, and should I be watching out for it? He’s been completely regular and active, so I just want to be forewarned incase.

cypher · 05-30-2017, 12:18 PM

Sleeping patterns can change with the time of year, day length, temperature & just sometimes for no apparent reason that's obvious to us so it's not usually a sign of a problem, as long as your ham is active when awake & doesn't appear lethargic or unwell in any other way I wouldn't get concerned over changes in sleep too much.

Giving the right nutrition doesn't need to be confusing really, the main thing is a good basic mix, I'm not sure if you said what mix you're using for him.
Once you have a good base then you don't really need to add much, veg daily is good (just fruit occasionally, not too often) is good, if your mix is low in protein (below about 18-19%) then you may want to add some of the protein extras mentioned before a few times a week but other than that treats are just treats, not essentials, so a few extras seeds or a piece of nut now & then is fine, natural foods are generally better than bought treats anyway.

Olivia Catte · 05-30-2017, 01:12 PM

As for active, I think he’s one of the most insanely hyper rats I’ve ever seen, and when he’s in the mood, he’ll be wriggly and jumpy and completely unpredictable. I don’t know where to find the room or space to let him out and discover by himself while I’m studying and can’t afford to keep an eye completely glued on him, since he chewed through his playpen, and climbed all the way up the curtains in my room and basically attempted at suicide (before I pulled him down and gave him a nice scolding). I think he’s healthy that way.
Also, I took your advice and looked in the local cat and dog pet store for freeze dried chicken treats, but I can’t find one that specifically says its freeze dried. How am I to know if it’s ham-safe, or not?
I can give him tofu and broccoli (though the latter I’m not too sure of), and hopefully, I’ll be getting mealworms in the larger pet store when we go in a week, but just as backup, what do I look for in cat and dog treats that’s safe for the ham?

AmityvilleHams · 05-30-2017, 01:30 PM

I think over time I've covered it several times over on this forum,but the basics would be no biproducts(digest,derivatives,meat and bone meal of any sort,biproduct meal,animal liver or just generalized liver,animal fat,etc),no artificial dyes or flavors,no processed or artificial colors(maltodextrin,sorbitol,dextrose,etc),and definitely no propylene glycol(used in the making of antifreeze),and also no unspecified preservatives(sometimes labelled E&C approved in UK products)or BHA/BHT/ethoxyquin(known to cause cancer,fall under the E&C approved loophole hence why that alone cannot be trusted and should not be considered safe).

Chinese/irradiated products should also not be used,and if they're to be shared with dogs or cats they cannot have corn or wheat.Sorry if this bit has been stated before

Olivia Catte · 05-30-2017, 01:34 PM

I will be noting down all of that…. but my mind stopped computing after a bit. Thanks for sending it yet again (and sorry if I’m being a bother with all these questions)

AmityvilleHams · 05-30-2017, 01:37 PM

It can be a bit intense,especially at first!I'd much rather send it many times over than have the alternative of someone not knowing and making poor choices as a result

Olivia Catte · 05-30-2017, 01:46 PM

Thank you!

cypher · 05-31-2017, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olivia Catte

Also, I took your advice and looked in the local cat and dog pet store for freeze dried chicken treats, but I can’t find one that specifically says its freeze dried. How am I to know if it’s ham-safe, or not?

I have no idea how readily available freeze dried meats are in other countries or whether it would actually say freeze dried necessarily but have a look & see if you can find anything that is just 100% meat (not meat by products), I really wouldn't worry too much about cat or dog treats though, if you give tofu & mealworms in addition to your mix your ham should be getting plenty of protein already.
Broccoli is a great food to give but a good variety of veg will give additional trace nutrients so it's always good to give those if you can not just one or two veg repeatedly, if you're unsure of which veg are safe just ask.