Hamster Nutritional Needs for Different Species?

[ThePipsqueakery]

So I think I might already know the answer to this, but since it's always possible to be wrong and learn something I thought I would ask here. How do the nutritional values that hamsters need vary by species?

Syrian hamsters generally need 19% protein, 6% Fat, and 8% Fiber, correct? What about Russian Campbells, Hybrids, WWs, Chinese, and Robos? (I know some of those need less sugar, but besides that, any change?) If anyone has nutritional values by percentage for any other species or, anything to add beyond the protein, fat and fiber values please do.

[Bekki2308]

Not necessarily, requirements vary with age. If you read enough you will find no definitive answer for what they need its always a range. I wouldnt feed that syrian mix to an adult as they from my own research dont need that level of protein whereas a breeding/juvenile does, I also feed a high fibre diet with loads of fresh foods and hay with no ill effects so IMHO fibre isnt as important as protein levels and fat.

[POLAR WHITES]

I like to use Harry Hamster for my Syrians Burgess Dwarf hamster food for my campbells but I take out the corn and slip peas for my hybrid I know that doesnt give you requirements but I find these food of good quality. I also add extras as treats like meal worms salad leaves cucumber cheese nuts veg cerals ect

[ThePipsqueakery]

Originally Posted by Bekki2308

Not necessarily, requirements vary with age. If you read enough you will find no definitive answer for what they need its always a range. I wouldnt feed that syrian mix to an adult as they from my own research dont need that level of protein whereas a breeding/juvenile does, I also feed a high fibre diet with loads of fresh foods and hay with no ill effects so IMHO fibre isnt as important as protein levels and fat.

Yeah, I was curious about that protein level honestly, I just quoted it as numbers that I keep seeing thrown out here. I was actually under the impression, from my research that generally adult syrians need about 15% protein, ~7% fat, and at least 8% fiber (but that this level can go up and it doesn't matter so long as they are getting 8% at a minimum). It seems (from my non-definitive research) that campbell's need slightly more protein like 17-19% and keep the sugar very low. As for the robos, (again non-definitive research) seems to say that they need an even higher level of protein about 20-22%, about the same amount of fat, and sugar doesn't really matter.

This seems to more or less make sense to me, but I thought I would see if anyone had more definitive values. Alas, it looks like I will have to rely on my research.

I actually feed oxbow + a homemade mix to all of the hamsters (I have syrians, campbells, and robos) + lots of fresh food + lots of dried fruits and vegetables as treats. The mix has been nutritionally balanced for each species (and they generally eat everything in it). It includes sunflower seeds, green lentils, red lentils, french lentils, oat groats, pumpkin seeds, green split peas, yellow split peas, millet, rolled oats, pearled barley, sesame seeds, cous cous, black eyed peas, quinoa, mung beans and flax (although not every mix has all of that in it, a few things are left out for the campbells and the pumpkin seeds only go in the robos because they don't get as much out of cage treat time as the others)

[kyrilliondaemon]

Yeah... Human dietary needs change through life and the same is true for other species - including hamsters.
Theres not really a one size fits all answer really.