Hamster eating poop Many hamster owners become disgusted when
they see their hamster eating poop. Hamsters practice coprophagy
this is the eating of feces. Coprophagy is from the Greek word
Copro: meaning feces, or excrement. Phagein: meaning eat. This
is normal behavior in hamsters, other rodents and lagomorph's it
is of great nutritional importance to them. Theses droppings are
thought to be a valuable source of vitamins B and K. Vitamin K-1
(Phylloquinone) is found in plants and can be produced in the
intestines it is the most biologically active form.
(Menaquinones) Vitamin K-2 is normally produced by bacteria in
the intestines contributing to about 10 percent of the total
vitamin-K needs. Vitamin K also participates in the activation
of bone proteins which greatly enhances their calcium binding
properties. A low level of circulating vitamin K is associated
with low bone mineral density. Thus, an adequate intake of
vitamin K may help protect against bone fractures. Lactating
female hamsters are known to p