Otto

[Member ID2]

Rosewood say they were discontinued in 2021 and replaced with 'plant based' peanut and papya. I did say they are unsuitable for dwarf hamsters but no response to that yet.

Thank you for contacting them. It's such a shame that they don't offer alternatives suitable for all species of hamsters.

 

[Member ID2]

Otto's eye is fine tonight and he's currently out freeroaming for the second time.

He's becoming more confident and comes rushing to his door now to come out.

He loves exploring and climbing in and out of things. He really is a lovely boy.

 

[Maz]

I missed the bit about his sticky eye earlier. Glad it has free'd up again. He might not be an older boy - sometimes the stress of change can cause sticky eyes as well - even if it's positive change.

It's lovely he comes rushing to the door! He loves you already!

 

[Zara]

Just catching up on the forum. So nice to hear Otto is doing well, made me chuckle with the flying wee as Hams has started reversing right into the corner and weeing over the back of his sand tray, they’re funny fellas. Great video of him drinking, super cute and of him nibbling away at his hanging treat, he really looks like he’s filling out nicely and very much enjoying his new surroundings

 

[elusive]

He’s settled in so quickly & sounds so confident now, a lovely happy hamster!

 

[Member ID2]

Just catching up on the forum. So nice to hear Otto is doing well, made me chuckle with the flying wee as Hams has started reversing right into the corner and weeing over the back of his sand tray, they’re funny fellas. Great video of him drinking, super cute and of him nibbling away at his hanging treat, he really looks like he’s filling out nicely and very much enjoying his new surroundings

Maybe Hams needs a cardboard splash guard placed behind the sand tray. I keep a cut to size supply nearby.

 

[Member ID2]

I missed the bit about his sticky eye earlier. Glad it has free'd up again. He might not be an older boy - sometimes the stress of change can cause sticky eyes as well - even if it's positive change.

It's lovely he comes rushing to the door! He loves you already!

That's true. I never thought about the stress of change causing a sticky eye but could well be.

 

[Member ID2]

My turn

 

[Frida]

My turn

View attachment 1986

I love Otto's ears

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, look at his little paws! He looks like he is waiting so politely.

 

[Member ID2]

He is quite mild mannered and doesn't bar chew or make a racket like Clive and Lilly.

 

[Maz]

That little face! He's adorable. I love Otto!

 

[elusive]

What Maz said! He is just so adoraable

 

[Member ID2]

Going back to the mini nibble sticks. I think that considering the tiny amounts dwarfs nibble (even Lilly) from these sticks and cookies the Rosewood ones are ok for dwarfs. Dried raspberry is only 2.2% and dried blueberries 1%.

 

[elusive]

I think those are fine too, don’t know if they still do them but there used to be a carrot & fennel one that mine quite liked.

 

[Member ID2]

I think i saw carrot and fennel but they are longer sticks.

 

[Maz]

You can still get the carrot and fennel sticks I linked them for Albert recently

Carrot and Fennel sticks - Amazon

And the dandelion sticks - I used to get those too for Syrians

Dandelion Sticks

They also now do smaller versions in a kind of selection pack that aren't hanging sticks.

Here

 

[Maz]

It's difficult to know the effect of 1% of (freeze dried?) fruit in a product. I think personally I'd avoid all fruit for a hybrid to be on the safe side. The occasional blueberry as a one off treat might be different to say a regular intake of a very small amount. There are still two types of diabetes in hamsters and not enough published research on it to know if it can be brought on by increased blood sugar levels or not. Obviously if a hamster was actually diagnosed with diabetes you'd have a very specific diet. So I think most caution is in the hope of avoiding onset of possible diabetes.

I think the general view is that if a hamster is genetically predisposed to diabetes, then avoiding sugars can hopefully delay any onset. Whether it helps prevent it or not I don't know.

 

[elusive]

I’ve always been very cautious with sugars just to be on the safe side but 1% fruit should be fine as long as they don’t eat loads of it, I find it a bit annoying that sugars are never included in the analysis of foods like this though.

 

[Maz]

Yes that's legal labelling for you - they only have to list the ingredients - not what the ingredients contain. So things with banana chips in don't say if the banana chips are freeze dried or have preservatives eg (I know we've discussed that before!)