What mix do you feed?

[Kissa]

I am watching this thread with interest My two are currently on a mix of P@H premium, Burgess dwarf, Tesco and some finch seed mix, but Darla avoids the pellets. Annie eats most of it but I'd rather they both had something they eat all of and enjoy! I've been looking at JR Farm with interest, but I like variety so would probably mix it with at least one other mix.

[olga]

Zooplus VERSELE LAGA Hamster Crispy which I give to dwarfs. No pesky pellets in it which HH has. I also mix in mixed bird seed.
Anyone else use it? I’ve not seen anything on the forum about it apart from 1 review from Mark in Croatia. I see Susie on this thread uses it with other makes.

[Kissa]

I've always discounted Versele Laga because I've never been able to find a comprehensive list of ingredients

[Susie]

I'm not overly keen on the versele laga hamster crispy because it has so, so many sunflower seeds in it, but it works well as a part of a mix

[gellerbing]

i use harry hamster, only problem is he refuses to eat the brown bits

[Queen Of The High Teas]

I use a mix of Harry hamster, burgess dwarf, pets at home premium, cockatiel mix and a whole bunch of different seeds/grains off RR which I mix all together. I just remove the corn and pea flakes for those who need it as I'm doing the daily feeding. Might get some science selective as well, though I'd need a bigger bag than what I got last time

[Lougarry]

Originally Posted by Kissa

I've always discounted Versele Laga because I've never been able to find a comprehensive list of ingredients

Here are the ingredients as listed in the Dashing Hamsters food list (Dashing Hamsters: Search results for Versele):


Versele-Laga Hamster Nature Complete

Ingredients:
Grains (9% corn flakes, oat flakes, and popcorn), vegetables (18.5% of which 1.5% carrots and 5% beetroot), derivatives of vegetable origin, seeds (11%), fruit (7.5% of which 9.5% apricot, 9.5% pineapple, 12.5% banana, 12.5% papaya, 12.5% raisins and 38% carob.), vegetable protein extracts, nuts (5%), minerals, yeast, FOS, herbs, calendula., vitamins A, E and D3, copper, E320, E321, E102, E132, E110, E124.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein 17%
Fat 8.5%
Crude Fibre 7%

This mix is rather high in fat content and is a tad low in fibre content. The protein is on the lower end as well. The ingredients highlighted in blue indicate that this mix would not be ideal for hamsters prone to diabetes or for those that have diabetes. The packaging of this brand only provides limited information on ingredients as well, which is not altogether helpful for analysing the quality of the mix. Overall I would not recommend this mix mostly due to the high fat content. It could be alright for Syrian or Roborovski hamsters if no other more suitable mix was available.

Versele-Laga Mini Hamster Nature Complete

Ingredients:
Barley, wheat, maize, oatmeal flakes, maize flakes, rice, puffed maize, puffed wheat, puffed rice, peas, beetroot, carrot, tick bean flakes, pea flakes, wheat bran, soy meal non-gmo, sunflower seed meal, sunflower, pumpkin seed, linseed, safflower, carob, bananas, papaya, raisins, apricot, pineapple, cranberry, elderberry, apple, soy protein non-gmo, peanuts, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, salt, brewers’ yeast, fructo-oligosaccharides, marjoram, oregano, thyme, mint, garlic, calendula, vitamins A, E and D3, copper, E320, E321, E102, E132, E110, E124.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein 14%
Fat 7.5%
Fibre 6%

This mix is too low in protein, too high in fat content and too low in protein. It is not suitable for diabetes prone/ diabetic hamsters either due to some of the ingredients present (bolded in blue). The addition of garlic in the mix renders it unsafe for any species of hamster too as garlic is hard on their kidneys. I would not recommend this mix for any species of hamster.

Versele-Laga Hamster Crispy

Ingredients:
Wheat bran, soy meal non-gmo, sunflower seed meal, wheat, barley, buckwheat, maize, puffed wheat, puffed maize, puffed rice, peas, pea flakes, carrot, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, salt, sunflower, safflower, pumpkin seed, linseed, carob, peanuts, vitamins A, E and D3, Copper, E320, E321, E102, E132, E110, E124.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein 15%
Fat 10%
Fibre 7%

This mix is low in protein content as well as fibre content. The fat content is a bit too high as well. The mix itself is rather basic, with several ingredients that are not beneficial to diabetes prone/ diabetic hamsters. Overall I would not recommend this food for any species.

[Lougarry]

^The commentary above is from the Dashing Hamsters blog, btw. I don't agree with all of it as I have found no evidence that protein should constitute more than 15% of a hamster's diet.

I am currently mixing Harry Hamster, Burgess, P@H Premium, Trill, finch seed and dried herb mixes as well as feeding lots of fresh supplements and so far everyone seems happy and healthy with such a varied diet.