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Old 06-25-2018, 06:43 AM   #1
Shadow Cat
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Default Good sources of protein

Hello

I’m hoping you can help me. I know hamsters are omnivores and it’s usual for them to have some protein in their diet besides their usual mix and veggies. I know they can eat eggs but as I am vegan (or try to be!) I don’t buy eggs and if I bought a box of 6 just for the hamster, 5 of them would go to waste.

I’ve read you can feed dry mealworms, but I wonder if there’s much nutritional value to them. Is there any other food besides eggs that Syrian hamsters can eat? I was thinking maybe tofu as I do have that, or maybe something like cooked kidney beans. Are there protein supplements made specially for hamsters you can buy?

Or am I worrying for nothing?! Would he get enough protein from his hamster mix?

Thanks in advance
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Old 06-25-2018, 07:14 AM   #2
dreamtree1234
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Default Re: Good sources of protein

Mealworms are a good source of natural protein and some Syrians truly enjoy eating them; Eros LOVES them. Since you are a vegan and don't have chicken or fish, you can also give a tiny bit of tofu which is also a healthy protein for hamsters. I feed a tiny amount every once in a while to Eros, and she loves it, too. Nuts are also a good source of protein that hamsters love, but just feed it occasionally.
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Old 06-25-2018, 08:36 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Good sources of protein

Which hamster mix are you using? It should say on the packet what the % protein is, they do often need a little extra when they're very young but after about 18 months they begin to need less so a baby may need about 20% whereas an older ham may only need about 15% & too much can do more harm than good.
Mealworms are high in protein but also high in fat so not too many! You can also get dried shrimps which are also high in protein but not so much fat.
You can buy plain dried chicken sold for cats which is a good source of low fat protein, you can also feed tofu.
Nuts, seeds & even veg contain some protein but not complete protein.
ETA I forgot to say as far as I know they shouldn't have kidney beans, even cooked, some other pulses are ok though, I occasionally give mine a chickpea or a bit of a butter bean or some plain cooked lentils but not very often.
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Last edited by cypher; 06-25-2018 at 09:03 AM.
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Old 06-26-2018, 12:31 PM   #4
Pixel Hamstery
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Default Re: Good sources of protein

Hi!

There's a lot of discussion online about hamster nutrition, so much so that it can begin to be a little unsettling to think that you may not be doing right by your animals!

Is this regarding Fitz, the chap a little older than one? If so, most mixes will meet his protein needs just fine without supplementation. Younger hamsters are often offered additional protein (much like puppies) as they are growing at a rapid rate. Once the rapid weight gain settles, less is fine. Most mixes have 14-18% protein that will suit a 1 Y.O just fine without the need to worry that they are having too much protein for their kidneys, or too little for growth and healing.

You might choose to still supplement for the purposes of variety. Uncooked Tufu is often appreciated, though it isn't very nutritionally dense.
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Old 06-26-2018, 01:20 PM   #5
Shadow Cat
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Default Re: Good sources of protein

Thank you for your help guys. Yes, it is regarding Fitz He is a little older though I actually have no idea how old really. I gave him a little piece of tofu last night and he loved it! I’m feeding him the Harry hamster mix from Pets at Home. I will check the label to see the protein contents of t but it’s good to know he’s likely getting all the protein he needs.
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Old 06-26-2018, 10:16 PM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: Good sources of protein

Harry hamster has plenty of protein, a little extra as a treat now & then won't hurt but he won't need any supplementary protein with that mix.
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