Diabetes?

Elliriyanna · 12-02-2011, 08:09 PM

I recently read that like RC, Chinese and WW robo's are diabetes prone does this mean they also need a special diet?

**Hamtastic** · 12-02-2011, 09:00 PM

Robos are not prone to diabetes. The other three, and hybrids of RCs / WWs do need a diet that's free of added sugars (for example, in the form of fruit, molasses, sugar, honey, and possibly whole corn kernels). If you have an established purebred Winter White, he/she shouldn't be very susceptible to diabetes, but it's frequently not feasible, and pet store hamsters are hybridized in 99% of cases, so it's safe to just go with removing corn kernels and avoiding added sugars for all dwarf hamsters (minus robos) and Chinese.

Elliriyanna · 12-02-2011, 09:09 PM

Ok I had read here actually that they were and I had never heard this before I am always eager to learn

**Hamtastic** · 12-02-2011, 09:13 PM

Hm, well, we just recently had this discussion, and they are not considered to be such by breeders. Sometimes people bring up hearsay and then it gets discussed

Elliriyanna · 12-02-2011, 09:22 PM

Yeah I had learned a lot about the species but had never had them come up as a DP species but better to ask and learn

**Pompompoms** · 12-03-2011, 05:32 PM

Hiya, we did recently discuss this, so you may find this thread useful

Robos prone to diabetes?

Elliriyanna · 12-03-2011, 05:45 PM

Sorry i dont get on much I really just needed to know that they are or are not which they are not

**Pompompoms** · 12-03-2011, 07:03 PM

No, Robos are most definitely not prone to diabetes thankfully

. It's not impossible for them to get it, but it is very very rare. It seems that dwarfs are often all bunched together with health conditions, likely coming from the health difficulties associated with hybrids, the distinction between the dwarfs seems to get missed when comparing such things.

Robos luckily for them can tolerate a much higher level of fructose for example, with no problems at all. Obviously within sensible boundaries, but not at the near on bar on all types of sugar needed for hams with a predisposition to diabetes.

Elliriyanna · 12-03-2011, 07:43 PM

YAY

I was hoping to someday get two syrians and a robo I just needed to make sure they were not diabetes prone because I dont want to give them the wrong diet

I currently have 4 rc's so I have experience with diabetes prone species.

I really appreciate the help

That means my current diet plans would work Hazel hamster and mazuri pellets

Supplemented with protein and veggies

Plus knowing is very helpful with teaching others hamster care

**Hamtastic** · 12-03-2011, 08:51 PM

Mazuri hamster pellets have added sugar in multiple ingredients, such as cane molasses, beet pulp, and carrot, so I'd actually not recommend them for hybrids. There are pellets that are sugar free such as Harlan Teklad 2018 formula (can get on-line in 2 and 5-lb quantities for pretty cheap) and Purina Lab Diet ProLab RMH3000, which you can get in 5lb bags from some places.

Harlan Teklad 2018 (18% protein lab blocks)