Feeding for condition and nutrition

[PeanutandFriends]

Hi,

I am new to showing my Syrian hamsters and am looking for some feeding tips and advice from those who are already fully fledged show addicts!

My hamsters obviously get a high quality hamster food as standard, and as much of it as they wish, and they also get a variety of veg, such as broccoli, carrot, lettuce, kale, apple etc on a daily basis. I also feed milky feeds such as porridge and occasional scrambled egg, small pieces of chicken, kitten biscuits and the odd dog biscuit.

I am wondering what else you find beneficial to feed your show hamsters, especially in their early weeks as most of mine are currently still adolescent, to improve, health, condition and to encourage growth.

Many Thanks in advance x x

[chesca_27]

I have shown Jasper before and although I don't claim to be an expert, Jasper did do well in the shows he was entered.

It sounds like you are doing a lot of the right things for your hamsters already. I also feed a few seeds to help with Jasper's coat. He mainly has pumpkin and sunflower seeds, as these are his favourites. Providing enough protein while they are growing is another big part of helping them to reach a good standard size and healthy fur. I have heard primrose oil can help with a soft healthy coat, but you would need to find out what type and dosage. I believe a couple of people on here have used it before and I'll go check who.

EDIT: I've had a little look around the forum and a drop of evening primrose oil every night is ok to give to healthy hamsters. They can also have linseed/flaxseed and wheat germ (I think) to help. I believe some nuts might also help, but you would need to do some research to double check how much to give etc.

[cypher]

I don't show hams but for general condition I would recommend giving small amounts of extra flax seeds (great for coat condition & general health), hemp, wheatgerm (I give a generous pinch once a week) oats (flaked or oatmeal) dry, young hams don't need soft foods like porridge so it should be an occasional treat rather than a regular supplement & preferably made with water not milk, dry oats are good for condition though & generally enjoyed, pumpkin seeds have a good range of fats & minerals so are a healthy treat, small amounts of nuts (vary them if possible, walnuts, brazils, almonds for example) also add beneficial nutrients to the diet but don't give too much!
Even young hams don't need that much extra protein if you use a good mix so don't overdo things like chicken or egg, too much protein isn't good for them.
A little brewers yeast now & then is good too.
I don't think a healthy young ham really needs evening primrose, I tend to use that for elderly hams or those with skin/coat problems.

[GhostsInSnow]

Linseed is fantastic for the coat and wet cat food, mealworms and suet pellets are great for putting/keeping weight on your hams

[cypher]

I'm curious now! Is it common practise among breeders to give suet pellets to hams?
It just strikes me as a strange food to build them up as chunks of saturated animal fat is such an unnatural food for them & doesn't offer any nutritional value other than just that.

[AmityvilleHams]

I would hope it isn't a common practice Information does suggest it isn't even healthy when suet is marketed to wild birds,and regardless of that it is perfectly logical that it wouldn't be at all healthy for hamsters to have suet anyways.

[chesca_27]

I think Jasper's mix from his breeder had suet in. Although he was still growing so that might be why. He's now happily on my homemade mix.