Fresh Food Help?

magic14 · 04-08-2006, 01:03 PM

Hi all!

I am relatively new to hamster keeping and have been trying to research as best I can for the appropriate care, however, I have a few questions I'd appreciate some help with

I have read things about certain foods not being allowed and then read elsewhere that they are so am a little confused!

Ok, I have 2 syrian hammies of about 9months of age and I would like to know what fresh food is suitable for them and how often and how much should they get? Also, hamster choc drops - ok or not?

Hope someone can help me out

SnuggleHam · 04-08-2006, 02:25 PM

Welcome Magic 14,

Hamster Central has an article about what fresh foods are good and what are not. You might like to give that a read here http://www.hamstercentral.com/a_treats.php

Hamster aren’t suppose to have any form of chocolate, as its toxic to most animals. I’m sure that these drops don’t contain any "chocolate" if it’s manufactured for hamsters. I believe its the name of the item that the owner find more appealing then the hamster probably does. Products such as these raise concerns about additives, refined sugars, and preservatives. If it were me, I'd avoid the silly hamster treats pet companies make and just give them some fresh natural stuff as a treat.

magic14 · 04-08-2006, 02:37 PM

Thanks for the reply - that list is really useful. I didn't spot that before, I should have looked properly!

SnuggleHam · 04-08-2006, 02:41 PM

Thats just fine Magic14,

We are here to help and encourage you to ask questions even if the answer should seem obvious or you feel you should have checked elsewhere first. It’s really no problem. I hope to make things on HC more accessible in the future and so these things will be more obvious to the users. Please don’t be shy about asking any more questions!

**babyboos** · 04-08-2006, 04:54 PM

Hello Magic

my guys get fresh food daily but I worked my way up to this gradually a small chunk once a week, every few days, every day over a number of weeks. Now they get the remains of my capsicum peppers, apple cores, outer cabbage leaves, and any other vegetable or fruit scraps - luckily I am a vegetarian so there is a fair few bits discarded daily. I also pick up items just for them on offer in the supermarket.

Emma · 04-09-2006, 02:26 AM

I do as babyboos does - they get fresh food most days, depending on whats in the fridge or what I've had for dinner! As well as fresh fruit and veg, they also sometimes get things like small amounts of cooked pasta, rice or couscous (couscous always goes down well in this house!) as well as protein treats like scrambled egg, cottage cheese, lean ham or chicken, or light dog food. Live mealworms are also popular with my guys!

I'll admit that I do give my guys choc drops - 'hamster' chocolate is made specially for them, is safe for them and designed not to melt at their body temperature so it doesn't get stuck in their pouches. I also use dog choc drops sometimes too. It isn't really the best treats for them to be eating, especially as a bit of kiwi or red pepper goes down just as well with them. It's really more for us to feel like we're treating them! I don't give them excessively, and wouldn't give them to any hamster prone to being overweight.