Introducing Sandi

[Biscuit2024!]

This is Sandi our new hammy , he is about 8-9 weeks old . For the first hour he stayed in his chamber house and the he came out to explore which we didn’t expect so soon . Sandy has been burrowing and running on his wheel all night long , he did about 5.000 rotations on his wheel , he is super cute and funny .

 

[Socks' Mum]

He is a handsome little fellow in his home. Congratulations on your new hammy ❤

 

[Maz]

He’s lovely Glad you have another hammy friend. The first day they often do excitedly explore everything - and then can disappear for days ha ha. I think it’s when they realise they’re sleeping there and it’s not just a new play area - so then they have to adjust to making it home and building a nest - just my theory! I may be wrong he may continue to be out every day - their personalities all vary.

Such an adorable face - he looks so happy - Christmas came early.

 

[Maz]

Just checking if it’s Sandy or Sandi . It’s a great name - did your children choose it?

 

[Biscuit2024!]

He’s lovely Glad you have another hammy friend. The first day they often do excitedly explore everything - and then can disappear for days ha ha. I think it’s when they realise they’re sleeping there and it’s not just a new play area - so then they have to adjust to making it home and building a nest - just my theory! I may be wrong he may continue to be out every day - their personalities all vary.

Such an adorable face - he looks so happy - Christmas came early.

Yes i think you are right. I could hear him making a nest this morning around 7am, I now have to work out where he uses the toilet so i can try and potty train when he is more settled. The children picked his name, Sandi

 

[Maz]

Aw I wouldn’t worry about where he wees yet - he’ll be fine for a week . Shall I change the title to Sandi as well then?

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Aw I wouldn’t worry about where he wees yet - he’ll be fine for a week . Shall I change the title to Sandi as well then?

Sorry for the delay ! Yes please re title . Sandi didn’t come out when we were up last night , he waited until we went upstairs, I could see him on the pet cam . My son was delighted as he came out at 7am and went in his sandbath and groomed himself in his tunnels he seems to just give us strange looks at the moment ha

 

[Kage]

Sandi's a smasher, and lovely colouring
If he anything like Kage, he'll love the flax showing in the third photo

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Yes he has been nibbling on the flax already .. our late biscuit also loved flax .. what a cutie Kage is

 

[Kage]

Flax does seem to be a favourite with hamsters, and thank you, Kage, "my little man" is special to me

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Sandi has been quite shy this week , he has been coming out when we go to bed ( early as we are up at 6am). A moment ago he came out for water and he let me stroke him and he ate a bit of broccoli that I gave him ..I haven’t tried to pick him up yet . Wanted to ask, he has been having Harry hamster mix but I am planning to give him half of little ones . Is that ok for a 9 week old ?

 

[Socks' Mum]

Lovely that he likes being stroked and hand fed, sweet little chap I think both feeds are OK. Harry Hamster is quite high in protein. I would supplement with sunflower seeds, with shells on or off, but shells are good for wearing teeth. Also a walnut or pecan nut a couple of days and a little bit of egg or cheese.

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Thank you ! I will try your suggestions . Would the seeded hamster omelette be ok at that age ? Biscuit absolutely loved that treat

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thank you ! I will try your suggestions . Would the seeded hamster omelette be ok at that age ? Biscuit absolutely loved that treat

Yes, the omelette will be very good for Sandi

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Hi ,
Just wondered what your thoughts were on this ? I spotted this on Instagram , harry hamster food was listed as unsafe ..I was quite surprised !

 

[Maz]

Harry Hamster isn't unsafe It's perfectly fine. Over the years there have been various wild statements, and at one point someone claimed it included harmful BHT. I actually wrote to the manufacturers to clarify the contents and it doesn't contain BHT. It doesn't have as much variety as other mixes, but it is a long-standing, established, commercial mix that has been used safely for many years - at least a decade if not more. Some people say - it contains artificial colours. Well so does a lot of food we eat as well, but it doesn't make it unsafe.

There were also concerns about soya some years ago. So I decided to give our next hamster a completely organic, soya free diet (many years ago), which he had for his entire lifetime. It made no difference at all to a previous hamster who had a lifetime of Harry Hamster. They both lived to well over two years, with no health issues throughout their lives. Hamster health is predominantly genetics, and the usual traits of old age.

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Thanks for the information Maz, it’s really helpful . Sandi is having half Harry with half of little ones , I did message them to ask why they thought Harry hamster was unsafe and they said it was because of artificial colour .

 

[Maz]

That doesn't make it unsafe at all. It also contains fortified vitamins which ensures hamsters get everything they need and the correct amount of protein. Which can be essential for beginner owners who want to keep things simple. The list of contents just says colourants (it's the biscuits that probably include the fortified vitamins as well). It doesn't say if they are natural or artificial colours. Even if they are artificial, many of our foods contain colourants too - jelly for example. We don't ban everything that contains a colourant.

The problem with the internet is it's like chinese whispers and things get blown out of proportion Which is partly what this site is for - to cut throught contradictory claims and have referenced and researched articles - ie to be a reliable source.

On Reddit Hamster groups for example, Harry Hamster is listed quite high up the list of suitable hamster foods.

 

[Maz]

I think maybe a lot of these things start from Tik Tok videos where someone makes a bit of a speech about something without factual basis, and it goes from there.

 

[Maz]

Rescues do sometimes have lists of items they consider the best for hamsters but there is a big difference between "others are better" and "unsafe"

Vets would tell you to feed pellets usually! Variety is good for hamsters, it is true but it doesn't mean everyone has to use the same "home made" mixes. That is personal choice, and cost issues come into it as well. I use some Harry Hamster (a third to a half) and during the pandemic it was the only Hamster food you could get! So no it's not perfect, but I can't see how anyone can say it's "unsafe".