Aloe toilet paper

Question
QUESTION: I just brought home a male dwarf hamster two days ago and started researching. Toilet paper seemed to be recommended so I put in several sheets. Unfortunately, I didn't realize they had Aloe E. My hamster seemed less active yesterday than he was the day before, but I'm not sure if he's ill or if I'm just being excessively paranoid. I took out the pieces of toilet paper and am trying to let him sleep now. I'm also afraid he's dehydrated because I'm not sure he knows how to drink from his bottle. If I hold it by him and squeeze he is able to drink. How much water should hamsters consume daily?

The cage, food, etc. all came in a hamster kit.
The description on Petco is as follows:
Super Pet My First Home Kit for Hamsters
13.5"W X 11"D X 14.5"H

#roomy chew-proof wire cage with easy to clean deep plastic base that helps keep your pet's bedding in the cage, not scattered onto your floor
# food dish
# quiet exercise wheel
# loft and ramp that adds living space to your pet's home
# 4.5 dry quarts of super absorbent Carefresh bedding
# L/M Animal Farms Classic Blend Hamster Food in a resealable 2 lb. bag
# Critter Cone Mineral Chew Treat--calcium rich ice cream flavored treat
# Critter Canteen Water Bottle--easy to fill and drip-resistant
# Hamster Ka-Bob Treat Dispensing Toy

Thanks so much

ANSWER: Dear Diana,
thank you for your question.
I don't think that the aloe is a problem. I wouldn't give it to him again, but he should be fine.
How much they drink depends on how much fresh food they get and on the indivudual hamster. I've had hamsters that drank a lot and hamsters that drank almost nothing. If he really has problems with the water bottle, you can offer water in a bowl or offer both, but usually they work out the water bottle fast.
I'm not familiar with the food brand, do is contain sunflower seeds and/or raisins? Dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes and shouldn't have too much sugar in their diet, so raisins as well as fruits and sweet treats are bad for them. Sunflower seeds are okay as a treat, but they are very fatty.

I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, thanks for your help!

I was wondering if the calcium mineral chew treat would contain too much sugar? It says that the cone is ice cream flavored.

Thanks,
Diana

Answer
Sometimes I really wonder what the pet industry is thinking when they make up the recipies for treats and food...more often than not they are designed to appeal to the owner and not the animal and ice cream flavoured mineral chews are definitely such a case.
Artificially flavoured treats usually contain too much sugar and even if they don't the flavouring can be harmful or is at least not what the hamster needs. Throw it out - if you offer veggies and leafy greens often, the hamster doesn't need it anyway. Dandelions for example contain a lot of calcium. You can also offer dried stinging nettles, ribwort, chickweed, clover, pansies (untreated), nasturtiums, marigold, and dasies.
I hope I was of some help to you
Jennifer