hamster treats ok?

[pooky]

i just went up to the pet store, and found these weird seed sticks, which said on the package that there were for hamsters. the lady at the pet store said they would be ok for gerbils, but ive had some bad experiances with advice from pet store people, so i thought i would check with you. their made by "living world" which are a fairly reliable compony. they look pretty fattining, so im not going to leave them in the cages all the time, just put them in every once in a while. anyways, if you could let me know if there ok as soon as possible, so that if there not, i could take them back and get my money back as soon as possible, then that would be great.

thanks,
pooky

[SuperGirlH]

I usually figure if it's made out of anything that is safe for hamsters, chances are, it's okay for gerbils. I tend to see much more merchandise that says "for hamsters" on it, just because overall, I think hamsters are more popular (lord knows why, gerbils are way cooler, but I guess people get fooled by their cute fluffy teddy bear appearance) I usually just take a look at it and unless it has something in it that I know gerbils shouldn't have, i'll get it. If it's made of seeds, it's probably okay.

[pooky]

i ws actually told by someone when trying to decide weather to get gerbils or hamsters, that hamsters are more likly to bite then gerbils. if that is true, i dunno why they would be more popular.

here's the ingredients list:
whole wheat
cracked corn
oat groats
milo
hemp seed
white millet
chopped peanut kernel
sunflower seed
honey
lecithin

im not that experienced in what gerbils should eat and what is not so great for them, so if anyone notices anything here that gerbils shouldnt have, i would be grateful if you could tell me.

thanks

[Ritzie/Admin]

In my experience Syrian Hamsters are more nippy than Mongolian gerbils. However when both are tamed well, there is not much difference in biting.

Hamster treats are fine for gerbils, as are complete hamster foods. Gerbils and hamsters are closely related species, which have similar needs in food.

[shrimply]

I have a hamster that I required from somebody because he would not be held without biting. And as soon as I go anywhere near him in his cage or try to do anything in his cage he tries to bite me and yes they hurt much more than gerbils. I have only been bitten once by my gerbils due to an unfortunate incident with a Lego window. Both of my gerbils however dig in my hands which doesn't hurt but is annoying. Anyway all i have to do to the hamster is open the cage door and he comes straight out. Once he is out he is the sweetest most friendly hamster you've met, he will let you do anything with him. But you have to wait till he is right out you can't pick him up half way out the door. He loves coming out if he isn't let out he gnaws at the cage door all night.

Hamsters are much more likely to bite especially if you try to wake them up.

I have used these sticks for gerbils and they love them.

I think one of the reasons hamster are more popular is that a gerbils tail is too mouse like some people. Also hamster are a lot easier for young children to keep hold of.

[ashleyrenee]

well that would work like my friends she has 2 syrian hammys and they both bite really bad. and all she did was take them to fairand then they jsut tstrat to ast badly at her house. we usually sorta handle them but yeah she has a critter trail cage and they climb that and start to gnaw idk wast wrong but i have been bitten like 3 times and yes it does hurt lol

[doomgerbiluk]

Hamsters have been available longer, are easy to breed in quantity at regular enough intervaks to provide a steady supply and are traditional
The public image of the hamster is as a breathing cuddly toy.
I suspect their popularity is that simple.

[pooky]

thanks for your info peter.

hamsters are also a lot slower then gerbils (or just a lot lazier) so maybe there easier for little kids to play with, without the hamster escaping the childs grasp. could be just another factor in the popularity scale.

EDIT: oops. just re-read the posts, and it looks like i just repeated something already said by shrimply. sorry