Roborovski Females

[!Gina]

I use megazorb - I pay £10 for a 15kg sack of it and it lasts me for months, its really good alot better than shavings which can cause respiratory problems apparently.
Heres what they say:
MEGAZORB is a horse and general animal bedding made from virgin wood pulp. It is produced by high temperature drying (reaching temperatures of up to 500°C) which not only removes the moisture from the wood pulp but kills off moulds, spores and bacteria.

I can find you the link for it if your interested, it lasts alot longer than shavings too as well as being better for the environment.

Oh and thank you for the diabetes advice, I remove large quantities of seeds (particularly sunflower) from their food on a daily basis, its amazing how many the manufacturers actually include in their food. I also supplement their food with alot of protein, they love chicken and the ocassional dog biscuit.

 

[black angel]

I had no idea about the feeding of them. Ive been giving them normal hamster mix which has sunflower seeds in it and they are the first things to be eaten. Been feeding bits of pear and grape as well.
Could someone give a list of what they shouldnt be eating, and what we can give as a supplement, thanks.

 

[!Gina]

The following is a list of some foods you can feed your hamster:

Banana
Sweetcorn
Cucumber
Apple
Cheese
Turnip
Raisins
Peas
Carrot
Celery
Bread
Grapes
Melon
Chicken


Never feed your hamster these foods:

Chocolate
Raw Kidney Beans
Garlic
Onions
Raw Potato
Sweets

As for the sunflower seeds, i just pick the majority of them out of there food and feed them to them as treats. They're quite fattening otherwise lol and hamster food does seem to contain alot of them for some reason.

 

[pepper]

Ive read that you dont need to pick out the corn, peas, etc. from the hamster mix but you shouldnt give them any extra.
Gina, could i have the link please. I would like to try that megazorb.
Thanks
Kate

 

[!Gina]

The sunflower seeds are the only ones you need to pick out, they are only allowed a certain amount per week due to the high fat content.
Heres the link for the megazorb: http/www.ukpetsupplies.com/detail.aspx?ID=991 you may be able to get it cheaper if you have a localised supplier so check here to see if theres one near you who can deliver: http/www.northerncropdriers.co.uk/Suppliers.htm
Its a great product.

 

[Betta_luver]

And any corn, peas, carrots, or fruits.

Yes only 2-3 sunflower seeds daily.

!Gina if you have dwarfs then you cant feed any of these foods that you listed:
Banana
Sweetcorn
Apple
Cheese
Turnip
Raisins
Peas
Carrot
Grapes
Melon

They all have to much natural sugar. The acid in turnips aren't good for hamsters at all. And mealon is way way way to high in water content for any hamster.

 

[!Gina]

You can feed them small amounts of all the foods listed: Feeding guidlines
i've never had any problems, i've kept hamsters for years and have over five at the minute - All healthy.

 

[Betta_luver]

Diabetes is a huge issue with dwarfs. Most people are unaware of it as well. All dwarfs are prone to it. 4 out of 5 dwarfs get it diabetes.

 

[!Gina]

what you hear about hamsters and diabetes isnt always true, like i say i have 5 none of which with diabetes.
the diabetes myth i understand your concern, but i've researched this quite a bit and had lots of advice from a relative who's also a vetinary nurse. That topic might clear a few things up too, you dont need to stop feeding your dwarves corn etc.

 

[pepper]

Hey Gina
Im on hamster heaven too! Thats were i read it and i didnt think you had too take everything out of the mix.
Kate

 

[Betta_luver]

That site is also a little out-dated.

Ever heard of Hamster Hideout? Much friendlier to. Anyways. Have you ever tested your dwarfs for diabetes? If you haven't then you don't know if they have diabetes or not. I do what I know what is best for my hamsters.

My research, studying, and that fact that after feeding my dwarfs on a syrian hamster diet diabetes is no myth. Humans can get it from too much sweet foods. How is that stopping hamsters? Humans may not be affected by corn, peas and etc but now lets look at the very small body of a hamster they will be affected by it.

And a quote from a good friend:

Tell you what, one of my biochemistry lecturers has a degree in veterinary and researches developmental biology using mouse models, I'll send him an email and ask him if he knows of any substantial evidence against carrots, corn and peas being fed to dwarf hamsters... Even if he doesn't know, with his background he should be able to point me in the right direction.

The fundamentals of my arguement though... Carrots, corn, peas, potatoes and fruit do not have a low glycemic index (as seen in most non-starchy vegetables), their glycemic index is classed as medium.

GI of the vegetables/grains in question:
* carrot GI approx 20
* peas GI approx 30
* corn GI approx 50
* potato GI approx 70

GI of some fruits:
* apple GI approx 20
* orange GI approx 30
* peach GI approx 30
* grape GI approx 40


They contain simple sugars which can cause very slight blood sugar spikes in humans (as opposed to substantial sugar spikes for high GI foods like candy, soda, cookies etc.). Where these slight sugar spikes caused by carrots, corn, peas, potatoes and fruits may not affect human diabetics, dwarf hamsters are so much smaller than we are, this could result in a substantial sugar spike in their systems.... Since many dwarves (especially Campbells) are genetically predisposed to diabetes (type1 and 2) due to inbreeding, if these foods are fed to hamsters over time, even those who don't have type 1 diabetes (don't produce functional insulin) can still develop type 2 diabetes due to their bodies becoming insulin resistant.

Links:
Glycemic index Go to "glycemic database" to check the glycemic index of specific foods.
Difference between type1 and type2 diabetes

This is my understanding of the issue anyway.

 

[pepper]

What is hamster hideout? Can i have the address please?
Thanks
Kate

 

[!Gina]

They have all been tested. They have regular vet check-ups for nail clipping etc and they're all in good health, so i must be doing something right.
It's the campbells russian that is prone to diabetes more than any other dwarf (which i dont have) and I am careful with what i feed them and give them treats in small amounts on the odd ocassion.
I care for my hamsters just as much as you do.

 

[Betta_luver]

No all dwarfs are prone to diabetes. Especially RC's. But all a very prone to diabetes.

ya sure here is the link. My user name is Christmas_hamster but I am grounded from HH for a very long time.

http/www.hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php