Hay? Needed in hamster diet?

[BrainGirl]

Hmm, that's interesting. That site claims that whole oats can pierce the cheek pouch and that's what's in the Vitakraft Vitasmart Hamster food I switched Theo to recently, just before he got his pouch abscess. I guess from now on I'm picking out all the whole oats and replacing them with rolled!

Still doubtful about the necessity of hay but if I did I'd choose APD Mountain Grass because it's free of stems. It's a richer, lower fibre hay though so it's considered a "treat" hay for my chinchillas.

[DrKMcK]

Well, I've read all the posts. Hmmm. I've given all my gerbils and hams timothy hay for years and never had a problem. They seem to love eating it and nesting with it. I also give them dandelions from my garden.

[Lloydhammy]

glad I came here to read up on hay to hamsters...how can you tell if you are allergic to hay? My eyes really bother me when I'm around the timothy hay that I give to my piggies. I will switch it when I get home.

[Lizzypoplar]

I buy alfalfa cubes from my local pet store, they are dried compacted little cubes and are good for fibre and also help their teeth!