Stash food

[PuddingBear]

Good morning,
I hope this doesn’t sound like a silly question but if a stash is becoming to large we are starting to remove some if it. My question is, can i give that food back to our hammy or will he know from scent? And would it stress him out?
Thanks

 

[Socks' Mum]

It's not a silly question at all. Yes, you should leave some of the most recently stashed food in the hoard and prune it from the bottom if possible. The oldest food might be stale and probably won't get eaten anyway, so can be disposed of. But it is good to leave part of the hoard behind to reassure your hammy that his stash is still there

 

[Maz]

It's an interesting question! I hadn't thought about putting out food that had been removed from a large hoard before However I don't think it's a good idea. I know it seems like a waste of food, but hamster food isn't massively expensive and it's part of their way of life, hoarding food and foraging every day. The problem with food that's been removed from a hoard is partly that it will have the hamster's scent, yes, but they will also know it's their stolen food! And it could get them confused and stressed. Aside from that I don't think the hamster would take it, because they always seem to know if it's fresh or not. I know even if the bowl is full of food, if you leave it a day or two they still won't take the food, but if you put new food out they will. Fussy little things!

I think it's best to leave the hoard alone, unless it's pee'd on, until it's time to do a proper clean out at that end. And then, as Socks Mum says, prune the bottom half out, which is the oldest food and throw it. As their hoards can get quite large. But their hoard is their security - they become very anxious without a hoard. But always leave some of the hoard behind. If it's been pee soaked then try and save a few pieces of hoard that smell familiar and then add a handful of new food to the hoard. They really need a hoard!

I would be the same if someone cleared out my food cupboard and there was nothing in the house. It would make me buy twice as much stuff and hide it in different places! Indeed I have done that with chocolate before OH kept finding the hiding places.

 

[PuddingBear]

Thankyou both
I was just doing a spot clean and it waa getting ridiculously big his 6 chamber hide has food in every chamber

Just pruned from the bottom and wont reuse. I did think it was a no but thought i would get opinion

 

[Maz]

Ah yes if his hoard is really taking over the house then it does sound like it's ready for pruning! Mine usually hoard the food under the house.