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Old 05-03-2017, 06:56 AM   #1
Crystalroborovski
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Default Using oxbow pellets?

I use the All Living Things hamster and gerbil daily diet. I've checked the ingredients and everything, there isn't any ingredients such as garlic, dies or sugar that could be harmful. I also feed the boys some millet and a teeny bit of fresh produce usually every other day. I was wondering if it would be good to mix in some of the Oxbow hamster pellets, or would it be necessary? A few days ago one of the boys yawned or something and I noticed his teeth were a bit long. Neither of them use their wood chews or chew on anything else, except for a few occasional nibbles at their willow ball. I've heard that pellets are a good way to keep your hammy's teeth trim. I wanted to know if anyone's hamsters liked the pellets. Also would the pellets throw their original diet out of balance? I don't want to spend my money on them if they aren't worth it. Thanks!
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Old 05-03-2017, 07:10 AM   #2
Drago
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Default Re: Using oxbow pellets?

All living things brand is pretty low quality in all honesty. I would recommend oxbow before I'd recommend ALT. Oxbow is okay to be mixed in once a week or so (if you do the proper calculations by weight to assess the GA, do not just randomly mix it in or you'll throw it off). Oxbow will add fiber which is more important to hamsters than many people think, especially as they get older. I'd recommend investing in a higher quality permanent mix though for your little ones like hazel/Harry, Higgins+mazuri, a proven homemade mix, or any other natural, dye and preservative free mix.

Things like biscrock biscuits, whimzees, and an occasional greenie (they have gelatin so don't feed too often) can all help keep teeth trim. Whimzees are very hard so they're the best of the treats to offer. You can also use safe tree nuts with a small "starter hole" cracked into them as these keep your hamster entertained and keep their teeth trimmed down
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Old 05-03-2017, 07:22 AM   #3
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Default Re: Using oxbow pellets?

I wouldn't feed Oxbow or All Living Things at all.ALT has several dyes(including red 40 which is known to cause cancer),among other things.However,Petsmart has apparently started carrying Higgins Sunburst so with robos that would be an option to mix with another high quality food(Carefresh or Mazuri rat and mouse lab blocks,there aren't really any other good choices but Carefresh would be more species-friendly in terms of size).

For Higgins and Carefresh,it's two thirds Carefresh to one third Higgins.On its own it's just barely not good enough,but you can add flax seed as well as freeze dried(not cooked as cooked meat is far less nutritious)chicken or turkey or similar hamster safe meats.

As for teeth wearing,stay far away from Biscrok biscuits and other low quality biscuits.You need high quality all natural biscuits with no digest,derivatives,meat and bone meal of any sort,unspecified liver,or any other unspecified biproducts.The ingredients of course aside from that must be completely hamster safe(no BHA/BHT/ethoxyquin known to cause cancer,no artificial ingredients either,and none of the standard unsafe foods of course).I currently use Wet Noses which are an excellent choice for hamsters which aren't prone to diabetes including robos,and luckily those are dog friendly(no wheat or corn,so they can be shared with dogs too if you wanted!)but also come in small trial boxes at Petco.They just happen to be organic which is a bit of a bonus,and while that may not be essential it definitely helps

I'd stay away from Greenies as well,they really aren't that good for wearing down teeth and have fairly poor quality in general(not as bad as some,but still not worth using when there are tons of other perfectly safe options).

Order dog and cat treats that are hamster safe through Chewy when possible,as it does tend to be a lot cheaper than buying things in stores.They carry quite a few high quality products,and as long as you stick to safe ingredients and good brands(no Evanger's or Diamond for example)as well as consider dog suitability where applicable(mostly no corn or wheat as these two things are horrible for dogs and cats even if safe for hamsters,but again if the treats are strictly for hamsters and will not be given to dogs or cats you can have a little more wiggle room)you should be fine.
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Old 05-03-2017, 07:24 AM   #4
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Default Re: Using oxbow pellets?

I wouldn't rate that mix too highly really either.
As long as they are having seeds in their mix or as extras including sunflower seeds (in the shell) & even the millet this will help keep their teeth trim, as Drago said whimzees are good & a dog biscuit every now & then (mine just get half a biscuit maybe every couple of weeks or a bit less) will provide all the extra chewing they need, I have yet to have a ham enjoy chew toys as such but they do seem to like apple wood.
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Old 05-03-2017, 08:31 AM   #5
Crystalroborovski
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Default Re: Using oxbow pellets?

Ok thanks everyone. I know the ALT isn't the best food and I don't plan to keep them on it long-term. I might order some hazel/Harry hamster food. My dog loves whimzees, so we usually have some at home.
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