To many treats...?

[conservatory]

Hiya!

I'm a new hamster owner, but im pretty informed on everything

I have one question though-amount of treats???

I went a bit wild at PetsAtHome and bought LOADS of treats!

I have yogurt drops, apple drops, berry drops and a sort of honey nut stick thing...

Ive hung the honey nut stick in the cage, and he's chomped the lot!

As im taming him I give him lots of treats, and now he trusts me enough to eat from my fingers.

I give him about 5 treats a day, not including the honey stick.

Is that way to much? He dosent seem fat or unhealthy, but he's only 7 weeks old and i think im giving him way to much fat and sugar...:S

Thanks!

[PinkPrincess]

I tend to steer clear of the pet shop treats as they tend to be high in sugar and instead give fresh fruit and veg as treats.

[Womblehands]

I would cut it down to two a day.. not due to sugar content alone but he may be stuffing his chops on treats and not eating his regular food..
I used to give mine about 6 a day then had to stop as they weren't eating properly.. now they have about 7 treats a week, and other stuff like fruit, monkey nuts,pumpkin seeds, rice, peas, carrot..

[RawrRobynn]

i thought this, but on the back of my packet it says upto 3 treats. so i think you should cut it down a little, but it wouldnt have done him too much harm right now !

[conservatory]

ok thanks guys!

Yeah, i did think i was going a little crazy

I think i'll cut down to 3 a day MAX if he's been a good boy

I'll try give him some fresh fruit every now and then too

Thanks!

[KutButLykee]

Yeah I agree, maybe cut down too a couple a day? And maybe once a week give him a little bit of fresh fruit or veg? Your hammie would probably prefer fresh fruits and veggies waaaay more than the artificial treats. But I dont think you would have caused too much harm. If your only giving that many treats too train him, he should be fine. But as soon as you can cut back a bit! Welcome too your new hammie and good luck! x

[fluffymunchkins]

i give treats from pet stores only twice a week, as i feel vegetables and soft foods like baby food, milky weetabix and porridge are much better.
I certainly wouldn't give more than one a day, it will discourage him from eating his normal hamster mix if you feed too much.

You can give a few seeds or oats a day (millet, hemp, porridge oats) as these are perfectly healthy.

Honey nut sticks are especially unhealthy, the honey is very bad for their teeth, i only ever gives things like this once a month max.

[Katty_Sheldon]

I agree with fluffy. If you check how much those treats have fat, in percentage, its usually quite a lot.

[WinterbellHams]

Goodness gracious that is a lot of sugar for a little ham.. He should probably have no more that one a day- or even every few days. Try to alternate and make friends with him by giving him a leaf of spinach or a piece of broccoli. He will be a happy camper!