Salt stones(blocks)?

hammydude · 03-05-2005, 05:16 PM

When I was at walmart I noticed they had a salt stone(block) that's hung in your hamsters cage.It says it gives hamsters the required salt that they need.

I've never heard that hamsters need salt so I didn't get one.

So my question is would it be safe for my hamster?If yes does he need one?

Thanx!

Chris

**babyboos** · 03-05-2005, 06:11 PM

Hi Chris

If Biscuits is receiving a well balanced diet - which I am sure he is

- then you really don't need to worry about a salt lick, or mineral stone for that matter. Fresh vegetables and food are far better for them and these things usually contain synthetic ingredients.

SnuggleHam · 03-05-2005, 06:57 PM

Wal-Mart sells rodents.. I’m not sure I feel all that great about that, at lest judging by their fish aquariums here where I am in New England USA. I cant even imagine the horror id probably find if hamsters were sold in wall-marts around here

I think babyboos is right about not needing a salt lick if there is a balanced diet. But I always get one anyway just to have in the cage, I feel good knowing its there for some reason. They last forever so I know they don’t nibble much of it, but I know they gnaw it sometimes because there are visible teeth marks on the sides.

**babyboos** · 03-06-2005, 03:02 PM

I am not sure if there are actually hamsters in Wal-Mart or maybe just pet accessories

- certainly that is the case in my local store. I really would stear away from them personally as salt is just as damaging to our little ones as it is to us, in fact hamsters have historically been used for research into salt consumption, and therefore there are some published articles available on its harmful effects. Maybe Emma will have access to something relevant or an internet search should bring up some studies.

hammydude · 03-06-2005, 03:51 PM

I'm sorry.I didn't mean there are hamsters at walmart.I meant they have hamster supplies.

Sorry for the confusion

**babyboos** · 03-06-2005, 04:02 PM

That is what I thought - thank goodness

I sincerely hope they never do.

SnuggleHam · 03-06-2005, 04:42 PM

I second that lol...I couldnt even imagine that!

Emma · 03-06-2005, 05:41 PM

I've never seen the need for salt licks - like babyboos said they should be getting everything they need from their diet. This is the same reason I'm quite against routine vitamin supplementation - it should all be in the diet (obviously there are exceptions like ill, elderly, pregnant or nursing hams that may require certain supplements).

I'll have a search when I'm next in the vet library on relavent articles - I have access to a search engine that goes through all scientific papers etc, and the library has most journals.

I do think there are far to many products aimed at pet owners, convincing them that they are essential, when they are at best a waste of time and at worst positively harmful to their pet.

SnuggleHam · 03-07-2005, 05:32 AM

That’s a great idea Emma, I hope you find something about that, Pet sores like to shove stuff like that in our face and tell us we need it, vitamin water drop supplements is one of them and so is dri-tail

It would be nice to have a bit of info on that.

**babyboos** · 03-10-2005, 04:30 PM

I would be very interested too - I hope you find something easy to read!