Healthy/Organic treats

[AmbientOcclusion]

It's fairly known that commercial treats advertised towards hamsters are practically contaminated with heavily processed sugars such as cane mollasses. An example of this would be yogurt drops. However, I realised it's fairly difficult to find organic/low-sugar treats that can be fed fairly frequently. I'm aware Gerber puffs, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and also Piccolo Organic multigrain puffs are alright, but are there any others?

I was also wondering whether Rosewood Naturals Luxury Flower, Fruit & Veg Bars are safe to be fed in small quantities? It's mainly just herbs and vegetables.

[Ria P]

Brown linseeds are healthy. I give organic, dried coconut flakes for treats (not the supermarket ones that contain sulphur), dried mealworms, nuts, shrimp cookies but i also give junk food treats in moderation avoiding anything with honey.

[AmbientOcclusion]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Brown linseeds are healthy. I give organic, dried coconut flakes for treats (not the supermarket ones that contain sulphur), dried mealworms, nuts, shrimp cookies but i also give junk food treats in moderation avoiding anything with honey.

I see. Thanks!

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by AmbientOcclusion

I see. Thanks!

I think that we all have different attitudes towards food, for ourselves and our hamsters and opinions vary.
For example, someone i know would never feed their hamster what i feed because they class Harry Hamster as an inferior food.

In my opinion, if you want to feed your hamster on organic and healthy foods only, most ready made treat foods wouldn't meet this criteria. They usually contain some kind of binding agent or preservative which would be listed on the ingredients list.

If you want to feed pure, unadultered food then another option would be to make your own treats.

[Petite]

Originally Posted by Ria P

For example, someone i know would never feed their hamster what i feed because they class Harry Hamster as an inferior food.

Is it really, though? It's all I can buy locally. For anything else (eg our robo's food) I have to order online. Dwarf Enigma seems to like Harry Hamster - although recently he's been turning his nose up at it - wonder if it's going stale as we get towards the bottom of the bag.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Petite

Is it really, though? It's all I can buy locally. For anything else (eg our robo's food) I have to order online. Dwarf Enigma seems to like Harry Hamster - although recently he's been turning his nose up at it - wonder if it's going stale as we get towards the bottom of the bag.

I think Harry Hamster is fine and my Syrians like it. This statement was only an example of how people's opinions can vary when it comes to food.

Yes, i've noticed that hamsters don't want it when it goes a bit stale. I chuck the bottom bit of the bag out. Same when it's been in the bowl for longer than a day or two. I chuck it out and refill with fresh. Just as well it's cheap enough to buy.

[AmbientOcclusion]

Originally Posted by Petite

Is it really, though? It's all I can buy locally. For anything else (eg our robo's food) I have to order online. Dwarf Enigma seems to like Harry Hamster - although recently he's been turning his nose up at it - wonder if it's going stale as we get towards the bottom of the bag.

I don't believe food mix quality is subjective to be honest. Harry-hamster is classified as a low-grade food in comparison to other mixes because you can find mixes with greater variety E.G: Higgins Sunburst, or a mix with insect protein E.G: Bunny Nature Hamster Dream Expert, or even mixes that are organic and don't use preservatives or food colouring E.G: Rodipet organic. Harry hamster lacks alot of these qualities, so you can have a thriving, healthy and happy hamster who lives on Harry Hamster, but there diet won't necessarily be "superior" to all the other foods on the market.
I'd read the Hamingway's guide to organizing foods and check out their food database, or even read the Hamster hideout's guide to commercial mixes.

[Stanza]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Brown linseeds are healthy. I give organic, dried coconut flakes for treats (not the supermarket ones that contain sulphur), dried mealworms, nuts, shrimp cookies but i also give junk food treats in moderation avoiding anything with honey.

Hi Ria, do you buy the dried coconut flakes from a health food shop?

Hammy loves Harry Hamster mix. Looking at the content it was fairly on par with the PAH mix only looks so much nicer

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Stanza

Hi Ria, do you buy the dried coconut flakes from a health food shop?

I came across them in Tkmaxx but was going to go to Holland & Barrett.

[AmbientOcclusion]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I came across them in Tkmaxx but was going to go to Holland & Barrett.

As in these?: Holland & Barrett Flaked Coconut 100g | Holland & Barrett