HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So the HCA Safe Food list was last updated in 2015 (I think). It notes that food trials for dairy are still being done.

Does anybody know how those are going?

It's safe for hermit crabs to eat cheese, but it is an unnatural food, so many people don't find it appealing to give them.
I believe the guides are still good, and everything that is safe, should still be safe.

Stella wrote:It's safe for hermit crabs to eat cheese, but it is an unnatural food, so many people don't find it appealing to give them.
I believe the guides are still good, and everything that is safe, should still be safe.

Cheese is not an unnatural food? Unless you mean that it wouldn't be found in the wild.

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Stella wrote:It's safe for hermit crabs to eat cheese, but it is an unnatural food, so many people don't find it appealing to give them.
I believe the guides are still good, and everything that is safe, should still be safe.

Dairy is reported safe when given once every thirty to sixty days.

This is from a safe list that is over three years old. True, much of it is still applicable, but it states that dairy trials are still underway.

I just want to know if anyone’s been keeping up with these trials.

soilentgringa wrote:

Stella wrote:It's safe for hermit crabs to eat cheese, but it is an unnatural food, so many people don't find it appealing to give them.
I believe the guides are still good, and everything that is safe, should still be safe.

Cheese is not an unnatural food? Unless you mean that it wouldn't be found in the wild.

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Yes, that’s what I meant


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Cheese WAS trialed, by Julia Crab at her food website (from which the HCA lists were based) before I ever got crabs. That was probably 10-15 years ago? Before that everyone thought it would hurt them. She showed it was safe.

wodesorel wrote:Cheese WAS trialed, by Julia Crab at her food website (from which the HCA lists were based) before I ever got crabs. That was probably 10-15 years ago? Before that everyone thought it would hurt them. She showed it was safe.

Okay, but if the trials are over, then why does the safe list say they’re ongoing?

It implies that we’re not 100% sure how safe dairy is.

I never read that far down before. I edited out the still testing bit. Legacy posts are awful to try and maintain! Go by what is on the actual list.

Thank you, that makes things much easier!

If you ever do notice discrepancies or things that need to be updated, PLEASE point them out! We all have been bopping around the forum for so long we look past things, like trying to edit your own paper in school. Sorry if I came off a bit dense, I should know better than to forum before waking up!

I have feed my crabs Parmesan, cheddar, feta cheese along with plain unflavored yogurt and sour cream. My crabs didn't care for the yogurt, but they loved everything else. The feta was the biggest hit. They practically stampede the food dish when I offer it. But as suggested above, I only feed them very small amounts very rarely.