Freeze Dried Raw Chicken

[swampystorm]

So I picked up for freeze dried raw 100% chicken for my hamsters.

I know they can eat freeze dried chicken, my question is about the raw part. I’ve read that the freeze drying process doesn’t kill off salmonella or listeria bacteria, but only reduces it.

So I’m wondering if these are safe for the hamsters?

 

[Maz]

To be honest, I'm not sure. The only freeze dried chicken pieces I've seen before have been cooked freeze dried. I think I would be a bit cautious about raw as well. I believe raw/freeze dried raw is suitable for dogs I haven't heard of hamsters having raw. See what @Daisy thinks. Personally I probably would only give cooked freeze dried as these aren't specifically for hamsters.

 

[Daisy]

I haven't looked into it very closely, but I believe bacteria can survive the freeze-drying process. This is usually okay for dogs and cats since they're adapted to eat raw meat anyway.

Personally I don't give freeze-dried raw chicken to be safe.

 

[swampystorm]

That sounds sensible.

I read dogs have a fast digestive system which doesn’t allow bacteria to be in there long enough to cause an issue.

Hamsters have fermented digestive systems which is slow, so I would imagine it would not be safe and could cause an issue.

I decided not to give it to him!