Dried red shrimp vs meal worms?

[Chesterspal]

My understanding is hamsters will eat meal worms... dried being best so they do not get bit. They're very high in protein but I see them to also be quite high in fat.

There is also dried red shrimp, much less fat but still very high in protein.

However, this can cause an allergic reaction in some of them, from what I've read.

Has anyone had any experience using red shrimp?

[Pebbles82]

Hello and welcome I don't know about red shrimp but a number of members have used freeze dried shrimps for protein. The main thing is that they have a good muesli mix with a good balance of protein, vitamins, fats and other nutrients. If the mix contains enough protein there's no need to supplement the protein. I believe in the US it's hard to find a good muesli mix with enough protein hence people supplement the protein.

It's only for the first year that hamsters need 18 to 20% protein in their diet - after that, as they start ageing, they need less. In fact too much protein when they're older can lead to kidney issues.

[Chesterspal]

Apparently, since hamsters do not get shrimp in the wild their systems are not accustomed to it and, hence, they can have an allergic reaction. Was wondering if anyone has had that happen.



These red shrimp are about the same size as the dried meal worms and sold as reptile food in the pet store. The protein content is 59% and the fat 8.5%. The same protein as meal worms but half the fat.

I would only use these as a treat. One or two every few days or so.

As to the mix... I was told by someone on this site to buy the Higgins Vita Garden.

[Pebbles82]

Yes the mix sounds right. US members know about the best mixes Hamsters can technically have an allergic reaction to anything, just like humans. This can happen with wood substrates, regardless of whether it's softwood or the safer hardwood - which is why a lot of members now use paper based substrates.

Hamsters eat a lot of things that aren't in their wild diet, without issues. Ours have had pheasant and grouse on rare occasions! The odd bit of plain cooked chicken. I used to get them a tiny bit of leftovers if we had roast meet - that depends on the hamster - some of them would eat it straight away - nibble as much as they want and leave the rest. Others used to pouch it so I didn't give it to them as then you have to poke around in the nest to find if they've hoarded it and it could go off.

I don't think it will do any harm to give a hamster an occasional shrimp - but check the salt content on the jar as too much salt is definitely bad for them. Ie if it's freshwater or saltwater shrimp. And assume they are cooked before dried? Uncooked shrimp is definitely bad for hamsters. It does say large shrimps for turtles so I would be wary of the salt content.

If your hamster has an allergic reaction you will know, but I haven't heard of it. you might even find the hamster turns their nose up at it! Not all of them like mealworms or shrimps.

For protein supplement, these can be used as well or instead. And mealworms do tend to be popular.

Amazon.com

[Pebbles82]

Just to add, generally, freeze dried is better than dried. The other thing I've found with any of these things is, once the jar or packet is opened they don't keep that long and can smell pretty bad after 3 or 4 weeks (I had the freeze dried chicken bites and once the packet was open they only lasted about 3 weeks). My hamster wouldn't touch shrimps!

[Chesterspal]

No mention of salt content but I did find out they can be fresh water or salt water.

However, since the label says ocean I assume these are salt water shrimp.

Thinking these are going back to the pet store : (

Thanks for the help on this.

[LunaTheHamster1]

i've never thought about shrimp on their own, but you did make me think of shrimp cookies.

Rosewood Naturals Shrimp Cookies 8og for Small Animals : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

I have fed these to a lot of my hamsters and never had a problem and i know many rescues use them too.

[Pebbles82]

Yes I think best to stick to freshwater shrimps and mealworms . Yes I've given shrimp cookies too and never had any issues.

[sushi_78]

I feed dried freshwater shrimp and gammarus shrimp sometimes. I haven't ever heard of a hamster having an allergic reaction to food (to shrimp or anything else) but I suppose anything is possible.

[Chesterspal]

Returned the Red Shrimp in favor of the dried Meal Worms.

They were a hit!

Very high in protein (that's a good thing) but also high in fat... so only a few each day.