Up To Date Diet Tips! - Page 5

Pebbles82 · 04-10-2016, 07:47 AM

Soya oil (Harry) and Soybean Oil (Hazel) are on the list of ingredients but I can't see anywhere where it says BHA is used. Just had to google it - it's an antioxidant to stop fats going rancid. Says it's ok in small doses for humans as it is in many foods. Vitamin E is supposed to be a more natural antioxidant but isn't as stable.

cypher · 04-10-2016, 07:47 AM

Sounds fine BeautyandtheBeast, he should be getting what he needs from that & there's nothing bad in there, P@H muesli probably isn't the best so changing him over is a good idea.

Pebbles82 · 04-10-2016, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeautyandtheBeast

Hey guys! I've just read through this thread and now I'm that worried I'm not giving Gus the nutrients he needs. I feed him a mix off Pets at Home Hamster Museli (I'm weaning him off of this, slowly) and Harry Hamster. I also feed him two Science Selevtive pellets every two days and a couple of dried meal worms a week. I plan to start introducing veggies when he's off the Pets at Home stuff - is this ok?

It sounds fine - not the Pets at Home Muesli maybe but you're weaning him off that. Harry Hamster is the only approved hamster food from the NHC in the Uk, for giving all the nutrients and the pieces being the right size for Syrians.

AmityvilleHams · 04-10-2016, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Soya oil (Harry) and Soybean Oil (Hazel) are on the list of ingredients but I can't see anywhere where it says BHA is used. Just had to google it - it's an antioxidant to stop fats going rancid. Says it's ok in small doses for humans as it is in many foods. Vitamin E is supposed to be a more natural antioxidant but isn't as stable.

It might only show up from US regulations and not be as regulated in the UK.From what I've seen though,the ingredients list that Petco shows does include BHA but I will be checking in person as soon as possible.Either way I'd steer clear just because of the thought of a company being so inconsiderate and careless to use a dangerous chemical

Pebbles82 · 04-10-2016, 07:51 AM

I would certainly like to know more about it, but I decided to stop worrying about the odd thing like a colour or additive, and hope that, as with humans, the healthy things in veg would counteract the negatives, as no diet is perfect.

AmityvilleHams · 04-10-2016, 07:54 AM

Personally I wouldn't take the risk of something that can cause cancer when you can find much safer options.No diet is perfect,but at the same time a chemical that is known to cause cancer isn't exactly something to feed without caution

Pebbles82 · 04-10-2016, 07:56 AM

I just copied this from a Daily Telegraph article - so it sounds like we're all eating BHA!

"Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) E320 – an antioxidant that prevents oils going rancid and used in some cereals, crisps and chewing gum. The CSIP says that while some studies indicate it is safe, other research shows a link to cancer in rats, mice and hamsters and should be avoided."

The problem is research always contradicts each other. There are articles that say Genetically modified soya causes cancer and infertility in Hamsters - and I have yet to find a hamster mix that doesn't contain it (apart from the stinky JR Farm one). Apparently the vast majority of the world's soya is grown in the US and it is all GM unless it says it isn't or says it is organic. So again that affects human food. There are also other articles who say it is perfectly fine and there are some extremist health freaks out there! Who to believe?

I was going to make my own organic hamster mix at one point but it can be time consuming finding the right ingredients and getting the balance right.

AmityvilleHams · 04-10-2016, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I just copied this from a Daily Telegraph article - so it sounds like we're all eating BHA!

"Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) E320 – an antioxidant that prevents oils going rancid and used in some cereals, crisps and chewing gum. The CSIP says that while some studies indicate it is safe, other research shows a link to cancer in rats, mice and hamsters and should be avoided."

Unfortunately it is a very common preservative in the cheaper cereals and things.Luckily some companies continue using citric acid and other safe preservatives and there are now all sorts of foods and gums and other things that do not contain BHA or the related BHT and ethoxyquin.Of course,ethoxyquin was primarily in pet foods such as Kaytee products but the chemicals themselves act the same in terms of cancerous effects.

JuniperLoki · 04-10-2016, 08:03 AM

Hi!

I just read the whole thread - very interesting! I'm also freaking out a little bit now with all the info.

Cinnamon is about 8 weeks-ish, we're guessing - she still gets the pet store pellet (it was a mom and pop shop that breeds their own) and a wee bit of Hazel Hamster. I also occasionally put in some oat sprays which she loves and the occasional yogurt drop, which she has to take from me.

I'm hesitant to give her fresh stuff right now - she is still so shy, and I don't want it to rot if she chooses to ignore me and the food for a long time.

I do have access to the Higgins via Amazon but is Hazel really that bad?

Pebbles82 · 04-10-2016, 08:06 AM

I agree - I think most chemicals and artificial preservatives are bad for us and ideally everything should be organic, but we can just do our best.

Apparently most corn (maize) and Canola Bean Oil are also GM and US grown as well and most hamster mixes contain corn and maize as well.

I think the Higgins is a good recommendation for a US hamster mix, apart from the molasses - so maybe good for Syrians. It also contains vegetable oil so could have BHA in as well. I think most pet food is pretty rubbish really! Some are better than others. I would really like to give a home-made organic hamster mix, but getting the nutrition and vitamins right is tricky.