Food comparable to hazel hamster?

[Atticus]

Hello there! I've been feeding my Syrian Hazel Hamster food for a while now and he seems to really like it. I started him out on oxbow when I first got him but he began to get uninterested in it with the more seeds and oats I gave him (haha), which led my to try hazel hamster. However, my local pet store stopped carrying it! I can't order it due to cost either Is there a U.S. brand that is very comparable to hazel hamster, or is there some other mixing alternative?

Thank you!

[Pebbles82]

I don't think there is. It's about the only sugar free mix I know of in the US. You could get Harry Hamster or Hazel Hamster - they are identical. The labelling is slightly different due to different legislation for how amounts are displayed etc. Amazon sell Hazel Hamster

https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Petfo...=Hazel+Hamster

[Atticus]

Thank you for that idea but I can't order it due to the high cost of shipping to where I live

[Pebbles82]

Oh sorry. I thought you were in the US and it says free shipping - but only if you order in bulk maybe.

[AmityvilleHams]

You can generally order online through Petco as well,as they carry the Hazel version.This can be more cost effective if you order a large enough amount to get free or lower cost shipping,otherwise it wouldn't be a good idea.

[Drago]

In the US, another good option for mixes is Higgins sunburst+Mazuri rat and mouse (you can swap out the mazuri for Harlan teklad if you choose). Petco carries both of these foods, so the most difficult part is mixing the two. The food mix I use is a mix of Higgins, mazuri, and oxbow garden select (30%, 20%, 50%) and it works just fine for my hams- although I wouldn't recommend it for a diabetes prone species. To properly mix foods, you need to get the total weight of the foods you're mixing then calculate the percentage each food will make up and how that will effect the GA and then measure it out into a container. Not too difficult once you get the hang of it. Another option, as serendipity mentioned, is simply to buy online in bulk Good luck

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Oh sorry. I thought you were in the US and it says free shipping - but only if you order in bulk maybe.

I believe you are correct it is free shipping but I think it's only on $25 purchases or more. Buying in large quantities would be a good idea but my fear is the food becoming expired

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by Drago

In the US, another good option for mixes is Higgins sunburst+Mazuri rat and mouse (you can swap out the mazuri for Harlan teklad if you choose). Petco carries both of these foods, so the most difficult part is mixing the two. The food mix I use is a mix of Higgins, mazuri, and oxbow garden select (30%, 20%, 50%) and it works just fine for my hams- although I wouldn't recommend it for a diabetes prone species. To properly mix foods, you need to get the total weight of the foods you're mixing then calculate the percentage each food will make up and how that will effect the GA and then measure it out into a container. Not too difficult once you get the hang of it. Another option, as serendipity mentioned, is simply to buy online in bulk Good luck

This was actually my backup plan! I will try researching how to do this properly

[Pebbles82]

You could put the bags of food in the freezer which would extend their life I freeze all hamster food for a week anyway after having had food moths last year.

[AmityvilleHams]

I know that opened bags shouldn't be used after 6 months due to vitamin/mineral issues(eventually will lead to a serious nutritional deficiency and is best avoided).I'm not sure how unopened bags would do though