Well, I finally got a pet for the kids. A cute little light brown and white one. Oh, he's a syrian hamster by the way. The fluffier kind.
Some questions.
He was born March 10/05. Five weeks old. Isn't that a bit young to be going out or is that about the right age to be given away. The lady I got him from neglected to separate her boys and girls and....SURPRISE. She had 6 babies and was just giving them away.
Is there anything special I should be feeding someone so young? As well, things a baby shouldn't be getting till they are older?
What I'm looking for is a good, healthy menu for this little guy. What I do have is...Hagen Nutri-Block for hamsters, mice, rats and gerbils. Protein is 16% Fat is 4.5%, Fibre 4.5%. If you were interested as to the ingredient list I could supply that for ya. I also picked up a bag with a whole lot of variety in it. It's made by Hartz, and it's called nature's gold, hamster and gerbil food gourmet. It's got a ton of things in it. All kinds of grains,seeds, dehydrated fruits and veggies. Protein 14% Fat 6% Fibre 9%. Once again, if you were interested in the ingredient list I could list it for you. Can these be given together or just give him the blocks all the time and use the other as a treat a couple times a week? OR give him the Hartz one and lose the blocks?
Is it ok to be giving him fruits and veggies, or should I be waiting till he's older? I read somewhere these things should not be given to a little one.
Does he need one of those brown mineral blocks?
Does he require vitamins in the water if he is already getting a balanced diet?
Questions upon questions. Aaaahhh this is harder than feeding my kids. But, I guess once I get used to how things go with him it will be a breeze. I just want him to be a healthy, happy little guy with no tummy upset on account of me being unknowledgable. He is the friendliest little hamster I've ever come across, too. He just can't wait to get out of his cage. As soon as he hears someone come he sits up on his hind legs and waits to hear if you are coming closer and then he races to the door of the cage and waits for you to take him out. As soon as a hand goes in he leaps onto your hand and races up your arm. Talk about hard to hold onto. He's a live wire. But I guess because he is so young that is to be expected. Just like a kid. Can't nail them down.
I'm really hoping the dreaded wet tail will bypass this little guy. Everyone I know who has had hamsters has had to deal with this problem, and have lost a number of pets to this nasty affliction. From what I've read it occurs most frequently in little ones, syrians especially, who undergo the stress of new home/owners/food. Crossing my fingers.
Ok. That's enough for now. Everyone who has hamsters, please share with me your knowledge and experience.
We haven't got a name for him yet. With 4 kids everyone wants something different,so this might take awhile. I don't think he really cares, as long as he is loved. When I go toward his cage I just call him sweetie and he races over. I might have to stop with the sweetie part, tho, as I always call my 5 yr. old sweetie, and heaven forbid that she gets jealous of a hamster.
Thanx a bunch for any help/suggestions that you guys can give me.
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