Immune boosting and dental care treats?

[LifeWithPets]

So recently I've been doing research into how to improve the immune care of my animals (rabbit, rats, hamster).
I noticed Pets at Home sell a few of these types of "treats"...

Small Animal Immune Booster Rice Bites 30gm | Pets At Home
Small Animal Dental Rice Bites 30gm | Pets At Home

Does anyone know if these foods actually do what they advertise? What ingredients in them promote dental health & immune health? Are there any other food items that are good for promoting immune system health in small animals?

Thank you!

[BrainGirl]

I don't know about the dental bites. As long as your hamster has things to chew on, and most foods qualify, you shouldn't need them.

Things that claim to boost the immune system are just a waste of money. I see that these ones contain alfalfa and wheatgrass. For one thing the pellets usually found in small animal mixes typically are alfalfa-based. The wheatgrass is easy enough to grow and even to buy in health food shops in dried form. There's no proof that supplements can boost the immune system, t's a gimmick.

Here's some good reading on the subject: How to boost your immune system : Harvard Health Publications - Harvard Health Publications

[LifeWithPets]

Originally Posted by BrainGirl

I don't know about the dental bites. As long as your hamster has things to chew on, and most foods qualify, you shouldn't need them.

Things that claim to boost the immune system are just a waste of money. I see that these ones contain alfalfa and wheatgrass. For one thing the pellets usually found in small animal mixes typically are alfalfa-based. The wheatgrass is easy enough to grow and even to buy in health food shops in dried form. There's no proof that supplements can boost the immune system, t's a gimmick.

Here's some good reading on the subject: How to boost your immune system : Harvard Health Publications - Harvard Health Publications

My hamster doesn't chew much, but he loves this little ice cream mineral chew he has in his cage. That's virtually the only thing he chews. He's a very "special" ham and can't eat his food unless I crush it up, so although I don't like mineral chews, I keep it in there for the sake of his teeth.

Thank you, I'll have a read at that now

[MissLanage]

I've no idea if they actually make any difference, these things usually don't but my hammy sure does love them!

[icklemunch]

All my 6 adore Antos (crocodile,toothbrush) dog chews. Great for their teeth!

[BrainGirl]

Oh yeah, those crocodile chews are great! Here they're branded as Whimzees and come in all different shapes and sizes. Plus, if you get the green ones, their colour comes from alfalfa extract

[StarlightSerenity]

How come you have to crush his food? Have you had his teeth checked by a vet?

I wouldn't bother with any supplements like that, a good balanced mix plus fresh veggies is plenty.

I've yet to have a hamster that chews on wood but found that things like these are very good for keeping their teeth in tip top condition - Boredom Breakers NATURALS Carrot Woodroll Treat Chew- Rabbit Guinea Pig Rat | eBay

[LifeWithPets]

He doesn't like those crocodile chews! But my ratties loooove them! His teeth are fine, he just doesn't like to eat big foods... He's very picky. So I break up all of his food so he actually eats it. I think that's probably why he doesn't eat the crocodile chews, because they're too big lol.

I was looking at those in Pets at Home, but they had carrot in them and I have a Campbells dwarf hybrid, so of course he is prone to diabetes, so I didn't buy it