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Old 07-26-2018, 01:11 PM   #1
windwitch
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Default Questions on Syrian hamster feeding/nutrition (Long post).

Hello,

I apologize ahead of time for the long post; I am typing out what I've read and heard about over my time looking up hamster nutrition, and I just want these things confirmed or corrected for me.

I've been browsing this and a few other forums for a while, in an attempt to come up with a proper diet for my male Syrian, Bijou. I adopted him a few months ago (I would have to locate the sheet for the exact date), so my guess on his age is roughly a year old.

Bijou is currently on Oxbow, which is the food that we feed the hamsters at my work (Which is where I adopted him from). Of course, I've learned that Oxbow really lacks the right amount of nutrition for a Syrian. I've been writing down a few brands (along with supplement ideas, like fruit, insects, freeze-dried food, etc), and I would like some opinions on what the best options are. Specific brands in general aren't too much of a problem for me; I can order things online, and there's a fair amount of pet stores that aren't too much of a drive for me. I live in the United States, for reference.

From what I've read, the best guaranteed analysis for a Syrian is: 17-19% protein, 6-15% fiber, 4-7% fat. I can't remember how long ago this was mentioned, so if it's out of date, I'd like the most current preferred percentages.

As far as what food brands I've read about:
- Hazel Hamster Food: I've read a lot of back and forth about this food. I'm assuming this is the Tiny Friends Hazel food, as Google searches haven't pulled anything up but that. I would likely have to order this on Amazon, as I haven't seen it around anywhere (Though maybe Petco had some, and I missed it.). Again though, online orders aren't an issue for me, so long as it can shipped to the United States.

- Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix - At least I think this was the brand? I have definitely seen this around, and I can get a 15% discount on it with my employee benefits.

- Higgins Vita Garden - This one seems less popular, but I know some people use or recommend this.

- Carefresh - To be honest, I don't really care for the Carefresh brand in general. Their bedding absolutely sucks in my opinion, and it's caused me to distrust their food brand as well. I stopped at a petstore today to take a look around, and the Carefresh brand is in very ready supply. However, I've noticed the mouse version of it is more nutritious? Hamster version has a GA of: 17% protein, 3.5% fat, 5-10% fiber, 12% moisture. Mouse version has a GA of: 18% protein, 4% fat, 5-9% fiber, 12% moisture. If I were told to get this, would the mouse version be better? I do have an ingredients list for both if anyone is curious (I'd have to type the whole thing out, so I won't post it unless asked).

As far as supplements go:
- Mealworms - I really want to give these guys a try, and I have a feeling Bijou would love them. We get live ones in all the time, and I don't have any qualms about touching them and crushing their heads if they are superworms. From what I've read, the live ones are better as they are lower in fat. From what I understand, if I went with superworms, Bijou would get one once a week. If they were the smaller mealworms he'd get one every other day. Though I'm curious about giant mealworms - these guys are an "in-between" size, smaller than supers, but larger than regulars. Would anyone recommend them over the larger or smaller size, and if so, how many how often?

- Crickets - I've read about dried or canned ones, though I feel they too would have a higher fat rating? And may possibly have ingredients that aren't the best for hamsters. Has anyone tried feeding their hamsters live ones? Any type of cricket is, again, readily available where I work. And I don't have any qualms about handling live crickets. If I were to get these, I'd probably get the small ones, unless Bijou could handle a large one, which he probably could. But how often should he get them if he needed them?

- Vegetables - Small portions I've read can be given once a day, but exactly how small are we talking? Some have said a thumbnail sized piece, but does that mean a salad of thumbnail sized foods, or just pick one thing and give that to them that day? Vegetables that I've heard are good are: broccoli, carrot, cucumber (although this is more water, so would this even be worthwhile?), cauliflower. What about things like kale or romaine?

- Freeze-dried meat - I've heard chicken is best, though maybe shrimp could be good as well? Would this be a once-a-week treat, or would this be a daily thing?

- Mouse/baby rat pellets - Science Selective Biscuits seem to be the one thing that keeps popping up, I'm just not sure how many and how often a hamster should get these.

This is pretty much all I've written down for the time being. Are there other things people can recommend (with quantities and frequencies) in terms of anything? Thoughts and opinions on the things I've listed here? I am very anxious and eager to start him on a proper diet, I just want to make sure I am not going to harm him in the process, and would appreciate any and all input.
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Old 07-30-2018, 08:22 AM   #2
cherubble
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Default Re: Questions on Syrian hamster feeding/nutrition (Long post).

Hazel hamster food is good for Syrians.
As for supplements mealworms are fine, only ever given dried ones though (small regular ones in the bird section) which go down really well with them (few times a week). Veggies also, just a slice or thumbnail size sounds alright I suppose. As long as whatever remains is removed frequently it’s okay. All the ones you’ve listed are okay, watery veggies in smaller quantities.
This is good for supplements:
Common fresh foods for your hamster - Hamster Central WIKI

I don’t really think other supplements apart from odd piece of fruit is necessary. Mealworms are great for protein and have really never heard of giving mouse pellets.
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Old 07-30-2018, 08:37 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Questions on Syrian hamster feeding/nutrition (Long post).

For your main mix I would go with Hazel Hamster, although the G/A appears to be different to Harry Hamster, the equivalent food here in the UK, it is the same (confusing I know!) & this is the mix that most people choose to feed Syrians.

Fresh mealworms (with the head crushed) or dried are both fine, dried appear to have more fat but that's just because the moisture has been removed so either it just as good really, I don't really know about the different size worms as we don't seem to have that much variety here! If they're not over large then one or two a day should be fine. Some Syrian hamsters don't like mealworms at all so you'll just need to try them & see.

dried crickets are fine canned ones are ok too but unless you have another animal to feed them to most of them will be wasted as they only keep a few days in the fridge & no ham can eat that many before they go off!

Freeze dried chicken or dried shrimp are both ok, these & the insects are all high in protein so not too many, if you gave a mealworm or two a day then a tiny piece of chicken once a week would be ok but too much protein is as bad as too little so just give in moderation. It's more important from about 18 months on not to go overboard with protein extras as it can put a strain on the kidneys & really isn't good for them.

Hams don't normally overeat so you could give a few science selective pellets along with the main mix & the amount wouldn't matter too much if both have the correct G/A, with a good mix you don't really need them but some hams enjoy them for a bit of variety.

They can have a wide range of veg & it's best to give a good variety, maybe one or two different things a day, a thumbnail size piece of each, then try not to give the same again for a few days.
I wouldn't worry too much about the amount, I haven't had any problems with hams eating too much veg as long as it's introduced slowly, maybe one piece every three days gradually building to daily so their digestive system can adjust to it.
This is my veg list, (ignore the bit about diabetes prone species I'm just dopy/pasting the list I always use!).
Safe veg, those marked * are relatively high in sugar so only feed to diabetes prone species as an occasional treat if at all.
Asparagus
Basil
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Common or red clover
Cabbage, green or red
Carrot*
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Coriander
Courgette
Cress (not mustard & cress as commonly sold together)
Cucumber
Dandelion leaves & flowers
Endive/chicory
Green beans/runner beans
Kale
Lettuce (not iceberg)
Pak choi/Bok choi
Parsley
Peas/mange tout/sugar snap/snow*
Peppers, any colour
Potato/sweet potato cooked only*
Radicchio
Spinach
Squash/pumpkin*
Swede
Sweet corn/baby corn*
Turnip
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Old 08-01-2018, 04:27 PM   #4
windwitch
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Default Re: Questions on Syrian hamster feeding/nutrition (Long post).

Thank you both so much for your inputs.

I do just want to double check on the Hazel hamster food: is it this one? I did a quick search for the Harry version for comparison and got something a little different. So I just want to check and make sure it's what I'm looking for.
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Old 08-01-2018, 10:51 PM   #5
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Default Re: Questions on Syrian hamster feeding/nutrition (Long post).

That is the right one.
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Old 08-06-2018, 08:38 PM   #6
windwitch
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Default Re: Questions on Syrian hamster feeding/nutrition (Long post).

Awesome. Thank you so much!
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