Hay help for hamsters!

gemmashaw · 07-26-2011, 09:58 AM

so today i was wondering about hay for hamsters.
i am aware it is not needed in the hamster diet but i thought it may be nice for a hamster treat!

i don't really want to spend alot on something unneeded...
so does it have to be timothy hay?

is this hay ok? even if its bedding....

Hay Bedding for Small Animals by Pets at Home | Pets at Home

would i have to get timothy hay like this? does it matter about the herbs in it? would the herbs be ok for hamsters?

Excel Herbage Timothy Hay 1kg | Pets at Home

or is this alfalfa hay the best option even though its expensive and big and a bit of a waste because of the size?

Timothy Hay 1.8kg by Alfalfa King | Pets at Home

IS THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS THAT ARE SMALL AND SUITABLE!

sorry for the long poste but please reply to each point i have made if possible!
thanks
gemma xx

SnickersTheFirst · 07-26-2011, 10:04 AM

I think I've used the Excel one before.

My lot love hay, I mainly use it for my gerbil but the hammies get some too. Just make sure it's all soft and remove sharper pieces, although Timothy Hay is usually very soft anyway.

Hamster Hermit · 07-26-2011, 10:11 AM

Ive never personaly given my hamsters hay so i cant comment if it is safe for them or not however i did read somewhere that you should not feed your hamster hay or straw as it can damage their cheek pouches. But if their are people on this forum who're sayin it is safe for them and they have tried and tested hay id imagine that'd it be fine for them then. But i definitely wouldnt feed your hamster straw as that is VERY sharp!
Hope this helps

Christmas_hamster · 07-26-2011, 10:16 AM

Timothy hay isn't a sharp as straw, it's just fine to use. I would freeze it before using it though just to get rid of any unwanted nasties.

Gillzy · 07-26-2011, 10:20 AM

If it's all safe (and I can't comment on that), then I think it would be a lovely new natural texture for the ham.

nibble · 07-26-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemmashaw

so today i was wondering about hay for hamsters.
i am aware it is not needed in the hamster diet but i thought it may be nice for a hamster treat!

i don't really want to spend alot on something unneeded...
so does it have to be timothy hay?

is this hay ok? even if its bedding....

Hay Bedding for Small Animals by Pets at Home | Pets at Home

would i have to get timothy hay like this? does it matter about the herbs in it? would the herbs be ok for hamsters?

Excel Herbage Timothy Hay 1kg | Pets at Home

or is this alfalfa hay the best option even though its expensive and big and a bit of a waste because of the size?

Timothy Hay 1.8kg by Alfalfa King | Pets at Home

IS THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS THAT ARE SMALL AND SUITABLE!

sorry for the long poste but please reply to each point i have made if possible!
thanks
gemma xx

i would just stick to fruit

nibble · 07-26-2011, 10:33 AM

i would stick to bits of fruit and veg or treats brought from the shop its cheap and my hamster loves it

cutehammies · 07-30-2011, 03:10 AM

Well, I never used to give my hams it as I'd read somewhere that the sharp bits could possibly hurt them. However the past few hamster books I've got said that it's important for them to have some. And I knew that I'd bought them one of the grassy nest ball things, which is sold for hamsters.
So I give mine a bit of small animal hay (eg never hay from a friendly local farmer - but you probably know that already!) and to be honest they use it more for tunnelling rather than eating. I don't see them ever eating it, the occasional nibble but thats all really.

I'm pretty careful and remove any bits that I think are sharp to leave very soft stuff left,

I guess its one of those things every ham owner has to decide. Thats just what I do

Right anyway, I'm off to clean the hams out

fsrv · 07-30-2011, 08:50 AM

It's funny how people talk about hay because I've just been to the pet shop trying to find some hay suitable for hamsters!
My vet yesterday said I should feed them some, so I take it it's ok for them.
However, I walked into the pet shop and there were about 5 kinds of hay- timothy, oat, bran, botanical and alfalfa. I got some timothy one, I hope i made the right choice... Does any of you know which one is better/suitable?

Hamster Hermit · 07-30-2011, 09:13 AM

Ha you made the right choice... i read somewhere that hamsters were alowed to eat timothy hay, that this is the hay most people give their hamsters. Good thing you didnt go for alfalfa though, i dont know about the others but alfalfa otherwise known as grass seeds is sharp for your hamsters cheek pouches and digestive system! now i know some people still feed this to their hamsters i wouldnt risk it
-its okay to correct me if im wrong please