Good scattering treats for hamsters

[Black_Inky_Eyes]

So my plan is to feed 2 tablespoons of mix to my hamster every time they empty their food bowl and their hoard isn't overflowing. I think a bowl is better because I can more accurately give my hamster its food and also monitor how much food the hamster's eating to spot out any health issues before they become properly serious.

However, I still want to scatter feed something to make my hamster's life more enriching and promote their natural behaviours. I've heard something about using different sprays like millet, oat or wheat sprays. The second method I've heard of is using dried herbs however I'm unsure of this method because lots of herbs aren't safe. And the final method I've heard people use is hay. Which brands do you recommend?

Which of these treats do you think is best?

[mangoandmimi]

A bowl might sound easier to monitor but really it isn't much different, it'll all just end up in the hoard most likely. It's easier to monitor if you feed a bit every day to be honest instead of a load in one go. When you know what the favourites in the mix are and how quickly it gets eaten I still highly recommend scatter feeding, even if you just scatter a portion. It's much more natural for them.

Sprays are a good way to encourage foraging, not too much in one go or again it'll all just end up in the hoard. I always have millet or something similar in the cage and it does keep them occupied. JR farm do lots of different ones. Dried herbs are good to add to their mix, most hamsters should eat them too. If you buy the ones for rodents most are ok. Hay is fine to use, it isn't so much for foraging it's more for holding tunnels or adding interest to the cage using different beddings. Don't know if they eat the hay or not to be honest. If you do use it make sure it's good quality and isn't too spiky.

[Black_Inky_Eyes]

I'm going to buy some millet sprays that are advertised for birds hope these are okay

I'm also getting the rosewood naturals herbal garden for the foraging.

[alpacassei]

Millet is millet, I buy bird millet because it’s often a lot better value than the tiny packs sold for hamsters.

Most hamsters don’t actually eat hay but I have a few that will have the occasional nibble. The herb mixes are much better for foraging. Hay is great for enriching their environment though.

[cypher]

Millet sprays are fine & nice to have around the cage, the rosewood herbs would be good too, when using any herbs or other dried plant material it is best to freeze it for about a week first just to make sure there aren't any bugs/eggs or anything that could be a problem in there.
Hay if you use it needs to be frozen too & all sharp bits have to be removed.
If you don't want to scatter food you could find places around the cage to hide it or some of it so your ham can still forage but it's easier to keep an eye on what's being eaten.