Lavender flowers

[cloudy]

Quite a few dried flower mixes for hamsters contain lavender. Are hamsters okay with lavender? I thought of buying a mix to give Orko some enrichment.

[AmityvilleHams]

I would definitely not use lavender for hamsters. It has known negative neurological impacts to rats, but at the very least it can be highly irritating. It's pretty strong in terms of scent too - something we know isn't a good idea with hamsters being so sensitive to strong scents and having such a delicate respiratory system.

[Pebbles82]

I'd be careful with flower mixes generally. When I've bought them they've often had quite sharp twiggy bits in. In the end I bought dried herb flowers myself and mixed them. Baldwins sells them. I bought marigold petals, cornflowers and rosebud petals. All of which are edible and much better quality bought that way. Our hamsters ignored them lol! Agree that Lavender isn't a good idea.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

I would definitely not use lavender for hamsters. It has known negative neurological impacts to rats, but at the very least it can be highly irritating. It's pretty strong in terms of scent too - something we know isn't a good idea with hamsters being so sensitive to strong scents and having such a delicate respiratory system.

Thank you. What a shame they put lavender flowers in the mixes. Even rodipet do.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I'd be careful with flower mixes generally. When I've bought them they've often had quite sharp twiggy bits in. In the end I bought dried herb flowers myself and mixed them. Baldwins sells them. I bought marigold petals, cornflowers and rosebud petals. All of which are edible and much better quality bought that way. Our hamsters ignored them lol! Agree that Lavender isn't a good idea.

I bought this:
Premium Dried Flower Mix Rabbit Treat Guinea Pig Degu | Etsy UK

Do you think this is okay or shall I not use it?

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I bought this:
Premium Dried Flower Mix Rabbit Treat Guinea Pig Degu | Etsy UK

Do you think this is okay or shall I not use it?

That looks alright and doesn't have any lavender.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

That looks alright and doesn't have any lavender.

Thank you Ria. I hope he likes it.

[Pebbles82]

That looks very nice - and just flower heads and no twigs. It was the Rodipet ones I had before that had sharp twiggy bits in.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

That looks very nice - and just flower heads and no twigs. It was the Rodipet ones I had before that had sharp twiggy bits in.

Thank you. Im really pleased it seems suitable.