Is This Okay For A Dwarf?

Pinkchi · 04-25-2013, 07:37 AM

I've previously followed this
http://www.madabouthamsters.com/cont...Or-Adding-Bits
mix for my hamsters. I know some like it some don't, but its always worked for me so i've continued to use it.

Recently my batch was running out so I thought i'd use up the rest of everything left from making the last batch. I had no hamster food left so just grabbed a bag of Harry Hamster & Burgess Dwarf Hamster Harvest from work and mixed in my remaining ingredients (dried mealworms, Applaws kitten food, Trill budgie seed, seed mix, soup mix)

Since the change I noticed my ham has gained weight. So I bought a bag of the new Pets at Home muesli to dilute the mix a little as I thought it looked a bit seed heavy, and I also bought a ball. Is it the seeds that cause the weight gain or the corn/peas?

Was beginning to get a little concerned that the mix isn't good. The problem is I just used up excess and didn't measure it. I don't want to throw it away so i've sat and picked out the corn/peas to see if that makes a difference. Also picked out the alfalfa sticks as they don't get eaten. If that fails i'll be chucking it and starting again. So stupid should have just measured it out in the first place instead of being lazy!

Does this mix look okay? 'New' mix with bits picked out on the left and the one with corn/peas etc on the right. Not an amazing picture though they hardly look any different!

GhostsInSnow · 04-25-2013, 07:40 AM

I'm not sure about your particular mix but if it makes you feel better, I don't measure my mixes. My hammies have 3 mixes combined and do fine despite me not measuring

Pinkchi · 04-25-2013, 07:52 AM

I figured if I take the corn/peas out as he is more than likely a Hybrid anyway, and I thought as there are now 3 bags of different hamster mixes plus a few extras i'm hoping it will balance out.

Is it likely to be the pumpkin/sunflower seeds causing the weightgain or the corn/peas?

I usually give him 1tbsp every other day but think I might give him 1 tsp daily and see how we go. Plus his nightly in-ball and free range sessions as part of his 'diet & excerise routine'

GhostsInSnow · 04-25-2013, 08:15 AM

The sunflower seeds and the pumpkin seeds I would say, they can be quite fattening. I used them to help bulk up one of my mice when she was poorly. Definitely take out the sugary bits if he's a hybrid.
I'm sure that without the stuff that could worsen the diabetes risk, he'll be fine

A lot of people combine mixes now. I combine 2 muesli mixes and a pellet mix for my Syrian and for my Robo the same but instead of one of the muesli mixes, I use JR Farm Dwarf Feast as it's smaller seeds and he loves those.
Give him some food daily and see how he goes

HorseyMandz · 04-25-2013, 08:55 AM

Yes, I'd take out the corn and peas completely and pick out a few of the pumpkin and sunflower seeds. This should significantly reduce the diabetes risk and help control your hammy's weight

Pinkchi · 04-25-2013, 08:59 AM

Yeah thats what I thought. If needs be I can always pick some seeds out if there seems to be alot and see how he does without the sugary bits.

I may start weighing him daily for an accurate way to tell if hes loosing weight

twnk77 · 04-30-2013, 03:41 PM

Also, I wouldn't completely pick out the alfalfa sticks either. My robos don't seem to really like them either, but every once in a while I see them munching on one. What I did was separated out the sunflower seeds, corn, and the alfalfa sticks out of my food. Then when I go to feed them, I only put a few of the alfalfa sticks in there, some sun flower seeds, and a piece of corn(they love corn).