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Old 09-09-2021, 03:52 AM   #11
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Balding hamster

That all sounds good Glad to hear there are no lumps and bumps. They do naturally start to get thinner as they get older, lose a bit of weight and feel a bit bonier, but one thing to check as well, are if his teeth are ok - did she check his teeth? Sometimes their bottom teeth can grow too long and basically prevent them eating properly and then they will lose weight a lot. You probably already know this, so apologies if you do, but their bottom teeth constantly grow and are kept worn down by hard foods, chew sticks etc. Sometimes when they get older they don't chew as much hard stuff (maybe due to toothache or jaw arthritis) and then their teeth can get overgrown. I wouldn't have thought this was an issue at 18 months, but keep an eye on them .

Yes I would just let him carry on - unless his teeth are stopping him open his mouth properly, then they'd need trimming. One way to check is wait till he yawns and have a look. And/or give him a piece of nut - eg half a brazil nut out of its shell - and see if he can get it in his mouth.

Glad to hear he's ok.

To improve his coat, keep giving a pinch of linseeds daily - it works wonders for coat condition - and some may grow back. To fatten him up a bit, you can give hemp seeds - they are quite high fat (but healthy fats) and contain all known vitamins and minerals so also healthy. I used to give these two separately on a little dish (used a baby food lid or jar lid) and they lick them up. The linwoods shelled hemp seeds go down well - they're fluffy and nutty (sold for humans to put on their breakfast cereals!).

I also used to supplement with a nut once or twice a week - brazil nuts are very high in calories and healthy fats - so half a nut twice a week, brazil nut and half a shelled walnut maybe. They love nuts.

If you get time they also like a bit of porridge. You can just make it in a mug in the microwave - a teaspoonful of porridge oats and a bit of water and microwave for a minute or two then let it cool. Not too thick or its a bit glutinous. I then just give it on the teaspoon and they eat it off the teaspoon. Also good for their health in old age.

I think it helps to try and fatten them up a bit as they can lose weight very quickly if they do become unwell and it can help them survive an illness then.
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Old 09-09-2021, 08:11 PM   #12
jsp
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Default Re: Balding hamster

Thank you very much for explaining all that. His teeth are definitely fine, but he loves the extra seeds that I gave him so I will add in more nuts and the hemp seeds that you suggest. I'm tempted to try some myself actually. I could do with fattening up too to get over the covid. LOL!

I will give him some nairn's oatcakes as we keep those in all the time. I'm sure he'll like those.

Thanks!
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Old 09-10-2021, 04:57 AM   #13
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Balding hamster

Only thing with oatcakes is they have added salt (I think). Not good for hamsters to get too much salt. You can just give a few raw oats if you have any. Or just the other things - oats aren't essential.
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Old 09-10-2021, 05:00 AM   #14
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Balding hamster

I got the nuts thing wrong. Brazil nuts are high in fat and contain an immune boosting substance. But it's Pecan's that are one of the highest calorie foods. I wouldn't eat too many of those yourself though. I snacked a bit too much on pecans once and a routine blood test showed I had a high level of something that could have meant cancer of the parathryoid - or it could have been caused by eating too many pecan nuts - it was the latter of course! I was eating them to stop me eating sweet stuff!

One a week for a hamster is fine though Plus a different nut in between.
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Old 09-10-2021, 12:00 PM   #15
jsp
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Default Re: Balding hamster

Hi,

Thank you very much for mentioning about the salt. That did occur to me as well after I said it, so I'm really glad you posted about that.

I just realised, I've actually changed his diet recently as I was giving him loads of nuts and was feeling guilty about it because I thought maybe that was wrong. I used to give him peanuts and pecans and hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and cashew nuts and goodness knows what else. I used to just buy nuts from the supermarket that were really meant for people.

I have no idea if he was eating them at all but he really liked to carry them around and I started to worry that it was a lot of money and food waste when it was really food meant for humans.

Do you think having access to a lot of nuts was good for him?

Also I used to give our previous hamster readybrek pancakes made up with water and with strawberry jam on top. Readybrek has no added suger but does have added vitamins. She seemed to be quite happy with it, but I never know what Roc likes as he doesn't eat in front of us.

Do you think readybrek is a good idea?

He is loving the linseeds. I watched him last night loading his pouches with them. He looked so happy shoveling them in. His fur is starting to look better actually.

Thanks!
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Old 09-10-2021, 12:02 PM   #16
jsp
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Default Re: Balding hamster

Actually I'm not sure that we put jam on. I think it was my son that had the jammy bits, and the hamster had the corners with no jam.
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Old 09-10-2021, 12:17 PM   #17
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Balding hamster

I get this instant baby porridge with strawberry in Easy to just make up a spoonful in a mug with a bit of water. Our hamsters go potty for it. Again not sure about reddybrek due to the added vitamins.

Buy Organic Strawberry Porridge | Ella's Kitchen

No it's fine giving those nuts and seeds as treats. They only eat what they need. I find a special nut sometimes gets put in pride of place in the potty. To stop anyone stealing it?!
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Old 09-10-2021, 10:45 PM   #18
jsp
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Default Re: Balding hamster

Thanks, that's good to know. I will buy nuts again and get some plain oats.
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Old 09-25-2021, 03:06 PM   #19
jsp
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Default Re: Balding hamster

Hi,

Thank you very much again for your advice. Roc's hair has almost all grown back now. He is enjoying his linseeds.

JSP
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Old 09-25-2021, 03:07 PM   #20
jsp
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Default Re: Balding hamster

Those pictures make it look as though he is in a tiny cage, but it is actually just a really close up photo that makes the perspective go all weird. The cage is not actually tiny, and neigher is he Huge. LOL!
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