Is it ok for my Syrians......

Louise · 03-11-2011, 01:32 AM

......to be fed nuts in shells? I was thinking of giving them walnuts in their half shells, so that they have to dig out the nut themselves. Does anyone else do this? Im also unsure of what type of nuts to avoid giving them, different websites say different things. Obviously I wouldnt be feeding them a bag of KP!!!

Nappo · 03-11-2011, 01:40 AM

This would be a great idea of entertaining hamsters...but i would be worried about the shell bursting in sharp little pieces which can hurt the hamsters cheeks.Peanut in shell i think is safer. You can give your hammie nearly every nut like peanut,walnut, haselnut,macadamia erverything fine when unsalted.

Louise · 03-11-2011, 01:49 AM

I never thought of the shell harming them, thanks for that! I do feed them monkey nuts which they go crazy for, I guess Ill just stick to what I know best.

Katarina · 03-11-2011, 03:11 AM

Well, I've heard of giving a walnut whole with just a holl drilled in to its core - apparently its a good way to keep their teeth short and nails filed. I've came across this on english and Slovak Hamster forums. (I even saw them being sold on a string in pet shops with some other natural stuff attached to it)
So I don't think it would be dangerous to them. I give mine the monkey nuts too, they seem to like cracking them open only in the tense moments in the movies we are trying to watch!!! ha ha ha

**Hope** · 03-11-2011, 03:39 AM

I have given half a walnut in its shell to my hamsters. Craked it to make it a little looser for them never had a problem. It keeps them amused for quite a while too

Iluvhamsters · 03-11-2011, 05:04 AM

The only nut in shell to worry about is Almond as these contain traces of cyanide, the are fine fed without the shells though. I think all other nuts are safe but not entirely sure

amyXlovesXhamstersX · 03-11-2011, 10:48 AM

I have a walnut shell (i think?) It is on a string with sticks and wooden ball things attatched but last night ruby destroyed it! I left the shell in the cage though, she loves it so much!

BriBri · 03-12-2011, 07:38 AM

This also helped me I had given Chippewa a peanut in shell(unsalted)and then Im like WAIT!But she seemed okay!