How many Hamster owners use supplements?

Question

We have had three hamsters. Both my previous hamsters matured to life expectancy. But, I have to say every time we've lost a hamster it's been painful. My children have adored each one and received so much enjoyment from them.

We now have Poppy, who is such a sweet and social little girl. She loves playing and just seems to love people in general.

Our previous hamsters have always lived full lives (by hamster standards) and we never used supplements. I've been reading some testimonials that have have indicated that supplements can help increase a hamster's life span. I know there's no guarantees, but we adore Poppy so much and I'm considering this option

What are thoughts on supplements/vitamin? I would love to hear pros and cons,

All input is appreciated! =)

Answer 1

The commercial hamster food with a mix of grains, seeds and dehydrated vegetables and fruits already has vitamins and minerals added to it and so is a balanced meal that can take care of a hamster's nutritional needs.

However if you have a hamster like my little Angel who is very active and friendly but is a very picky eater, then you might have to take help of supplements. I always supplement Angel's food with vitamin drops and mineral drops which I pick from a nearby pet store. These drops have to be mixed with the water in the hamster water bottle so that it will be ingested when the hammie drinks water.

Longevity of a hamster is more dependent on their genetics and care from the owner. I say genetics because if healthy hamsters have been bred, definitely the pups would be healthy. Care from the owner is also important as the right amount of food and exercise will keep the hamster very healthy. Supplements would help in maintaining the health of the hamster but would not be the single reason for increasing a hamster's life span.

Since both your previous hamsters have had full lives, I am sure you have taken very good care of them.

The decision to give supplements to Poppy is entirely yours. If you feel she is not eating properly, then you can give her supplements like vitamin drops or mineral drops. Afterall, it won't harm her in anyway, will only make her more healthier!

Answer 2

As you have just said, your others lived a full life without any additions of vitamins. Most of the vitamins your Poppy will need will be found in the food that she eats.

Any animal fed a proper diet has no need of added vitamins; in fact too many vitamins can cause problems. We all know that eating the right vitamins and minerals is essential for health. Lots of fruit and vegetables are packed full of them. Most of the vitamins that are added to food and the water are largely synthetic: Synthetic Vitamins are very difficult to digest. This means the body has to do a lot of work to digest, and assimilate them. Extra vitamins with a good balanced diet are not generally needed. Vitamins are sometimes added to the water bottle, these are water soluble vitamins, and are synthetic. Extra doses of water soluble vitamins will not usually cause toxicity, these are the vitamins that are ‘not’ stored in the body and are simply flushed out in the urine, but an excess of vitamin C will cause diarrhea.

There are nine water soluble vitamins, eight of which are B Vitamins. They are:

Vitamin B1: (Thiamin), B2: (Riboflavin), Niacin, and Vitamin B6: Folacin, B12: Pantothenic Acid and Biotin.

There are four fat soluble vitamins which are: Vitamin A. Beta Carotene or Retinol. Vitamin: D, E, and K. these vitamins are soluble vitamins, and theses ‘are’ stored in the body. For this reason, an excessive amount of these vitamins can be toxic. Many people do not appreciate that their pets are not little people. They often think that a supplement that they may take themselves is good for their pet that is not always the case.

You have done a good job so far; as long as you keep her on a good well balanced diet I see no reason to add any vitamins.

Answer 3

every animal should have supplements, Vitamins for bones and growth. supplements to help where the animal wouldn't gain excess weight.

Answer 4

I give my hamster (Mao) supplements with his food and he has lived longer than any of my other hamsters.  Mao has a ton of energy even at his advanced age and shows no signs of sickness, so I continue to give him supplements.

Answer 5

get 1 hamster from pet store but make sure it is sick then try on that one?

Answer 6

i give vitamins for my hamster.hamster dun really will have longer life span by eating vitamins as vitamin will only let it have more nutritions and healtier dun really affect on it life span as it will still die when it get old.if you wan u may try to feed it with vitamin maybe twice a week so it will be healtier.u may give it to eat maybe dried mealworm,shrimp or more which is what hamster may lik