Thread: Feeding help
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Old 06-21-2016, 08:17 PM  
AmityvilleHams
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: Feeding help

Hamsters don't require hay.You can order Higgins from Petco or purchase it in store,or Pet Supermarket may have it but that could depend on individual stores and it is generally cheaper there.For Winter Whites you would need to get Higgins Vita Garden hamster and gerbil,as it is diabetes friendly and they are a species which is prone to diabetes.

Generally don't listen to pet store advice,they're extremely out of date at best.Hamsters are omnivores,requiring high protein low fat diets(around 16-20% protein and 4-6% fat).With Higgins you do need to add extra protein,but that can be done with things like tofu,broccoli and other high protein vegetables,plain chicken or freeze dried chicken,high quality dog biscuits(not Purina,Pedigree,or other big brands and also be mindful of ingredients as not all are safe).Freshwater shrimp are a great protein boost,as they are high in protein but also very low in fat.

Aside from diet,you need to have large enough cages.For dwarf hamsters it would be best to put each hamster in their own cage that is around half a square meter or 775 square inches(roughly 25 inches x 31 inches per cage).It might be hard to find a cage with these dimensions,so you could certainly build a DIY hamster cage that is the right size or purchase a pair of Detolf's.

Wheels and substrate are two very easy subjects to cover!You need one wheel per hamster,upright is best and flying saucer style wheels shouldn't be used as the only wheel as they don't allow for the most natural movement.Around 8 inches in diameter is good for that,but the wheels must be a solid running surface.For substrate,you need to use something safe like aspen wood shavings or a paper based unscented substrate such as Carefresh or Kaytee Clean and Cozy that is around 6 inches deep.Do not use pine or cedar or scented substrates as these can be extremely dangerous.

The last subject that I'll cover is nesting material,and for that toilet paper is great as long as it is unscented and can be dissolved with water.Cheap Walmart or other store brand will do and actually can work better as it breaks up easier than the expensive stuff anyways!

If I think of anything else that is important or you have any questions I'll definitely post more information,but that covers some of the basics that a new owner would need to know.
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