is it save/good for my syrian?

[Jesika_]

Hi, its been awhile since my last visit.
I am working on my hamster growth. He is being so small and have such a low appetite, however his desire to wheeling is good.

I found this supplement. Its consisted on :
Vit. A 125.000 IU, Vit. D3 50.000 IU, Vit. E 50mg, Ca-pan 60mg, Vit.B 1 30mg, Vit b6 20mg, Vit. K 13mg, Vit. C 50mg, AS. Folat 50mg, Ca, P, Zn, Mg, Trypthophan, Lysine, Methionine, Threonine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, dan Energy.

is there something harmful for my hamster?

[cypher]

You have to be careful with giving extra vitamin supplements to hamsters, that looks as though it may be a bit strong, is it meant for hamsters? Most hamster foods already have vitamins added to them so if you give supplements there is a danger of them getting too much of somethings which can be harmful.

[Pebbles82]

Don't give added vitamins to hamsters - especially if it means putting them in their water. Nothing should be added to their water or it can stop them drinking the water (they have a very keen sense of smell and taste).

Being small isn't necessarily a problem as long as your hamster is fit and healthy. You say he has a poor appetite. Does that mean you don't see him eating much or taking anything from the food bowl?

They usually have quite a big hoard in, under or near their nest and tend to eat from that (snack in bed ). Most of the food they take from the bowl gets hoarded. It's important not to remove their hoard or throw it away when you clean the cage. Don't clean your hammy out too much either. Weekly full cleans aren't necessary (if you didn't know already). You can just spot clean the pee mainly as and when necessary - if you provide a litter tray they will use it if you put it in their toilet area, and then you can just empty the litter tray.

I leave the nest and hoard alone when spot cleaning, or even doing a substrate change. Unless it's pee'd on or taking over the cage in a big way, and then you can prune it a bit - if it's peed on and you have to remove it try and leave some of the dry food behind and always put a handful of new food back to replace the food you've taken in exactly the same place.

Wheeling a lot shows he has energy - it can mean they enjoy it or if it is a lot it can be a sign of stress (although baby hamsters go crazy for their wheels). ie if they run in the wheel a lot when they're scared it's like running away!

You can usually tell if they're a bit stressed or just having fun by their behaviour generally.

Rule of thumb is - don't mess with the cage much, leave them to have their habits and feel cosy. They usually love any fresh food and will eat it straight away. Have you tried your hammy with fresh veg? It's good for them to have a big of fresh veg every day, as well as their hamster mix, and they'll get all their vitamins from that. Just a very very small piece - about 1cm cubed size (doesn't have to be square - just for size!) - broccoli, carrot, cucumber are all fine if you have them in the fridge. Best to rotate a bit so they have something different every few days.

At first just give it every 3 days so their stomachs adjust to the veg - then after a week or so you can go to every day. They will usually take it straight away - it's the first thing our hamster looks for when he wakes up every night.