syrian diet

mariamkyrillos · 03-09-2017, 11:40 AM

Hi,
My hamster is a bit fussy about her food. She seems to not like the big chunks in her dry mix. I added a new type of nuggets to offer protien and yet she eats some and leave them in her bowl. I tried to introduce mealwarms and boiled eggs. But she runs to the other side of her cage when she smells them.
I would love any advice on how to increase her protien intake.
Thank you.

JLPrairie · 03-09-2017, 02:01 PM

Here's a good link about fussy eating: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-RoT3s83acs

Tofu is also a good source of protein. Are you feeding dry or live mealworms? If you are feeding live, do you kill it before feeding? Hamsters might be a little hesitant when it comes to feeding moving mealworms.
What big chunks are you talking about? What dry mix are you using?
It it's alfalfa pellets (image attached) there's nothing to worry about, most hamsters won't eat them anyhow.

cypher · 03-09-2017, 10:09 PM

Is your ham a syrian?
If she is then the best mix is Harry Hamster (in the UK) Hazel Hamster in the US.
If you feed a good mix like that then the protein levels are adequate & don't really need supplementing, you may even end up giving too much.
Syrians don't always like mealworms so try something like plain cooked chicken or dried chicken (often sold as a cat treat but make sure it is dried chicken with nothing added) any other treats like nuts or seeds will also add more protein but it is good for them to have some animal protein, all my hams love tofu which is another good source of low fat protein.
If she's not a syrian you need to feed a dwarf specific mix like Burgess dwarf hamster harvest.
As long as you are feeding a good quality mix then the best thing for picky eating is to just give enough food for a few days & not add more (or give lots of treats!) until it's all been eaten.
If your ham really doesn't like the mix then sometimes you do have to look for another they will like.

mariamkyrillos · 03-10-2017, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLPrairie

Here's a good link about fussy eating: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-RoT3s83acs

Tofu is also a good source of protein. Are you feeding dry or live mealworms? If you are feeding live, do you kill it before feeding? Hamsters might be a little hesitant when it comes to feeding moving mealworms.
What big chunks are you talking about? What dry mix are you using?
It it's alfalfa pellets (image attached) there's nothing to worry about, most hamsters won't eat them anyhow.

I will try tofu as I am a vegan and always have it. I offered her dry mealworms. And I am using harry hamster mix. With some German nuggets I can't remember the brand name.
She actually loves these alfalfa pellets

she might be vegan like me

AmityvilleHams · 03-10-2017, 03:26 PM

Have you tried chicken?Syrians aren't really fond of tiny insects in general,though there are some who will eat mealworms.Hamsters aren't vegan though nor are they vegetarian

It is very important that they do get some animal protein,for the most natural species appropriate and balanced diet.

If you try chicken and that doesn't work,consider alternative animal protein sources as well.I know that in the US we have a wide variety of freeze dried meat based dog and cat treats,not too sure how much variety there is in the UK,but as long as the protein source is hamster safe it is an excellent way to get the closest to natural sources of protein without feeding live(dangerous and certainly not the most ethical choice)or raw(requires very careful hygiene practices and is not for everyone,nor is it something to attempt if your hamster has a compromised immune system).

On the note of cat/dog foods/treats,I'm almost certain you have Applaws dog/cat food in the UK!It's a fairly good brand from what I can recall so that would be one option,but pouched/canned dog and cat foods can also work if freeze dried does not.The ingredients just have to be safe of course!

ladyntramp002 · 03-10-2017, 06:14 PM

I would also supplement the diet with tofu as well. Tofu is high in protein. You can also add freeze-dried mealworms if they are under the age of one.

mariamkyrillos · 03-11-2017, 01:35 PM

Cypher and AmityvilleHams I will try the chicken idea tomorrow and see how that goes. If not then i will search for the cat food you suggested. Thanks for the replies.