harry hamster food...?

[Shmoo]

Originally Posted by internet_nobody

It's Harry in the UK and Hazel in the US, so yep, pretty much the same thing.

The brown bits are alfalfa, and hardly any hamsters do eat it. It's probably the most boring tasting bit in there. My hams seem to go in phases sometimes leaving the orange biscuits, sometimes leaving the green, and don't seem to suffer any ill effects. There's no need to remove the corn though, and bits shouldn't really be picked out as it is a balanced food incorperating them. Likewise to people adding to the mix you need to check the proportions and make sure you're not changing the nutritional balance too much!

Well that makes me feel better. Thanks.

Maybe it was just dwarf hamsters that weren't supposed to have corn because they're more likely to get diabetes?

[starrylight99]

Originally Posted by Shmoo

Well that makes me feel better. Thanks.

Maybe it was just dwarf hamsters that weren't supposed to have corn because they're more likely to get diabetes?

I believe it was me that told you that over on livejournal! Nice to see you here I always remove the corn from my Hazel Hamster food. The hamster rescue that I work with recommends removing corn from the diet for dwarfs because it is high in sugar and they are more prone to diabetes. Many sources recommend removing it, but its a personal choice. I don't feed carrots and give fruit very rarely for the same reason. I do this as a precaution, because I don't want to risk my boys becoming diabetic, and in humans at least, poor diet and obesity can cause diabetes. I'm not sure if other dwarf owners do this as well.

I also don't feed treats with sugar as the first ingredient, or corn in the first five ingredients. Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but I grew up with diabetic parents and a diabetic cat, so I understand firsthand the risks.

[fluffymunchkins]

Originally Posted by Shmoo

Well that makes me feel better. Thanks.

Maybe it was just dwarf hamsters that weren't supposed to have corn because they're more likely to get diabetes?

I'd like to correct that, as i too thought this.
Only russian dwarfs are more prone to diabetes and corn certainly doesn't cause this. There is no need to remove it!

[starrylight99]

Originally Posted by fluffymunchkins

I'd like to correct that, as i too thought this.
Only russian dwarfs are more prone to diabetes and corn certainly doesn't cause this. There is no need to remove it!

Corn doesn't cause the diabetes, no, but it is high in natural sugars, and can be harmful to a dwarf who does have diabetes, or can contribute to poor health that can lead to diabetes. Many sources tell you to remove it from a dwarf's diet, which is why I do this.

[debs]

how do you know if they have Disbetes?

[starrylight99]

Originally Posted by debs

how do you know if they have Disbetes?

Symptoms include weight gain, excessive, drinking, excessive urination, strong smelling urine

You can buy urine test strips to check the urine for ketones and glucose, both of which should not be in the urine of a healthy hamster. Presence of either could indicate diabetes.

Diabetes is a glycogen storage disease, in which carbohydrates cannot be used as an energy source because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Insulin helps the body store carbohydrates, moving them from the blood into the cells. But when insulin is not present, the carbohydrates cannot leave the bloodstream, causing high blood sugar. When the kidneys filter the blood, the glucose ends up in the urine and can be detected by a test. Ketones are produced when the cells are short of glucose, and help to metabolize fatty acids, since the body can't use carbohydrates.

Whew, sorry I went a bit crazy there. Can you tell I'm a biologist?

[Shmoo]

Originally Posted by starrylight99

I believe it was me that told you that over on livejournal! Nice to see you here I always remove the corn from my Hazel Hamster food. The hamster rescue that I work with recommends removing corn from the diet for dwarfs because it is high in sugar and they are more prone to diabetes. Many sources recommend removing it, but its a personal choice. I don't feed carrots and give fruit very rarely for the same reason. I do this as a precaution, because I don't want to risk my boys becoming diabetic, and in humans at least, poor diet and obesity can cause diabetes. I'm not sure if other dwarf owners do this as well.

I also don't feed treats with sugar as the first ingredient, or corn in the first five ingredients. Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but I grew up with diabetic parents and a diabetic cat, so I understand firsthand the risks.

It sure was you!! haha. Glad you found me! I did some research of my own as well after you told me that, and there were others who said the same thing.

I've been told that nutrition is one of the most controversial things out there, apparently it stands true for hamsters as well. lol.

[jeny]

I'd never heard of this until this thread, I usually just get the hamster mix from the pet shop. I emailed SupremePetFoods to request a sample, unfortunately they didn't have but offered a sample of Science Selective Hamster.

I spotted the Harry Hamster food in Wilko yesterday and got a bag; it looks very nice and I've just received a VERY generous 350g sample of the Science Selective!!

[mangoandmimi]

ohh you got a sample of harry hamster? how much?

[fluffymunchkins]

Originally Posted by starrylight99

Corn doesn't cause the diabetes, no, but it is high in natural sugars, and can be harmful to a dwarf who does have diabetes, or can contribute to poor health that can lead to diabetes. Many sources tell you to remove it from a dwarf's diet, which is why I do this.

I'm just going to agree with you on this, i have no idea and i'm sure you know much more on this
Just saying the corn in harry hamster doesn't have to be removed.
At least thats what i was told by Souffle.
Maybe she can explain why