Oxbow, Hazel Hamster, or?

**XZombieGrlX** · 03-13-2013, 05:50 PM

I was wondering which store bought food would be best for chinese hamsters? Im am in the US

Most of the info I have found here are referring to the foods in the UK, which dosnt really help me lol..

Eriklover555 · 03-13-2013, 06:24 PM

I would recommend the Hazel Hamster - it's the best food you're going to find in the US. Unfortunately for us US owners, Europe has access to much better foods and knowledge, but Hazel is a pretty good food anyway! Just remember to pick out the flaked peas and corn! They can lead to diabetes in dwarf hamsters.

However, I would recommend offering a variety of fresh foods to supplement your hamsters diet. Regardless of what food companies claim, there is no real food that is 100% complete. I'm a firm believer in variety to stave off possible nutritional deficiencies or ingredient allergies developing.

Basically, once or twice a week, offer a small amount of a vegetable (preferably not carrots, or another high sugar choice) and clean up whatever is not eaten in a few hours.

Hope that helps!

**XZombieGrlX** · 03-13-2013, 06:36 PM

I already get the hazel hamster and take out the corn bits and flakes

. Ive never tried the veggies but ill start giving that as well.. Would the bags of frozen veggies work, or something more fresh? Just curious because we get canned and frozen veggies

Eriklover555 · 03-13-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XZombieGrlX

I already get the hazel hamster and take out the corn bits and flakes

. Ive never tried the veggies but ill start giving that as well.. Would the bags of frozen veggies work, or something more fresh? Just curious because we get canned and frozen veggies

Actually, depending on the distance between farm and store, plus the amount of time it spends on the shelf, frozen veggies can be more nutritionally complete ^^ That's because they're flash frozen right after picking. So thawed frozen veggies would be great.

I'd avoid the canned veggies because you never know what preservatives they pack it with, plus some aluminum cans can leach chemicals into the vegetables.

**Hamtastic** · 03-13-2013, 06:44 PM

Hazel Hamster is a better overall food. Oxbow's Healthy Handfuls is not something I'd recommend as complete diet, as it's rather bland. I'd pick out the corn and pea bits for any hybrid / chinese hamsters and supplement with oats, a bit of mealworms, tofu, and veggies / other things you may have on hand. I also buy some grains / nuts (and things like roasted soy nuts) from Whole Foods to add small amounts to my hamsters' diets.

Eriklover555 · 03-13-2013, 06:47 PM

Oh, yes, I forgot the animal proteins! Hamsters eat insects and such in the wild, so mealworms and crickets are good for variety!

Thank you for the reminder, Hamtastic!

Bozly's Family · 03-14-2013, 11:40 PM

My hammy's main food is Oxbow (they look like brown cheerios) and he really likes it. But he never fully finishes any of the cheerios and instead eats the outside like corn on the cob and then throws the internal half of the cheerio in his potty... and then he immediately goes up to his food bowl and gets another and repeats...

But he also gets fresh veggies, small mealworms, and varying amounts of seeds, millet, and Oxbow's Veggie Treats each day.

HollyHamster · 03-14-2013, 11:46 PM

I want to echo what Hamstastic said and reiterate that Oxbow isn't good for a main mix. Hazel Hamster is best.

Callistra · 03-16-2013, 10:20 AM

Does nobody care about the BHT and artificial food coloring in this food? I guess I'm surprised that the top food would have all this extra stuff in it..

**Hamtastic** · 03-16-2013, 01:59 PM

Not particularly about BHT, because it's already a tiny amount in a partial ingredient. There have been no definitive studies about the harm of BHT that I've been able to find. Food coloring is unnecessary, I agree, though is generally fine. Hazel Hamster's been a well-regarded food for a long time, which means most hamsters respond well to it.