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Old 01-16-2020, 03:45 AM   #1
peculiarplanets
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Question Syrian hamster food, different options

Might as well make my own thread! I found out via another thread that I might need to change foods.

Currently I'm giving my Syrian Beaphar Care+ pellets, as well as herbs, nuts, mealworms and fresh veggies. But I've been told that pellets aren't ideal, so I have two other options I'm currently looking at:

1. Witte Molen Puur Hamster: https://www.drdknaagdierwinkel.nl/en...400-grams.html

2. Vadigran Terra Hamster: https://www.vetsend.co.uk/vadigran-t...SAAEgJ9IvD_BwE

I've also seen Rodipets as recommendation but I'm also curious about these brands. I'm not an expert on hamster food, so would either of those two be good?

Last edited by peculiarplanets; 01-16-2020 at 04:14 AM.
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Old 01-16-2020, 04:59 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

I certainly wouldn't go for the Puur, the ingredients are very vague, cereals, seeds, meat by products for example, that really doesn't tell you what is actually in the mix, protein is very low at 13.3% when it should be around 18% with a little more for a young growing ham.
The other one Vadigran Terra Hamster is also rather vague on ingredients & I can't see the analysis anywhere so I have no idea what the protein, fat & fibre would be so again I wouldn't recommend.
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Old 01-16-2020, 05:05 AM   #3
Engel
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

I have heard PURR is good and is also good for diabetic dwarf hamsters, but I've never used it. The other I haven't heard of, sorry.

For an adult hamster the protein should be between 17-19%. Fat 4-7% and fibre 6-15%. As long as it's within that range then it'll be fine.

Pellets aren't necessarily a bad thing. It makes sure that your hamster is getting all the nutrients it needs. These are especially good for hamsters that only pick out parts of the mix. Like only eating the corn and sunflower seeds. Seed mix encourages their foraging instinct and is a bit more natural for them.

If it works for your hamster why not continue with it?

That being said, the protein on your current food is 21%. Perfect for growing hamsters and some dwarf species, but an adult Syrian, maybe not. My other issue with it is how vague the ingredient list is. It doesn't really say what's in it and that bugs me.

But it's not all bad! You could make your own mix. Keeping 50% of the mix being your current pellets and the other 50% mix of seeds. Now you will need to keep this balanced. You can't just add seeds here and there. I've added a calculator found on hamster hideout. It's one I use myself.

https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=...deHeaders=True
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Old 01-16-2020, 05:34 AM   #4
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

Engel I've heard that Puur is good too but it's best to check the ingredients & GA to be sure before deciding, it does contain fruit including raisins so I definitely wouldn't recommend it for diabetes prone species.
A few pellets combined with a good mix is fine but not as a main diet, with a good food picky eating isn't usually much of a problem tbh.
I make my own mix too but would suggest doing a lot of research first, it took me months of research into different suitable ingredients as well as the overall protein, fat & fibre content of foods before I was sure I could provide my hams with a really good diet.
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Old 01-16-2020, 05:58 AM   #5
peculiarplanets
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

Quote:
Originally Posted by Engel View Post
I have heard PURR is good and is also good for diabetic dwarf hamsters, but I've never used it. The other I haven't heard of, sorry.

For an adult hamster the protein should be between 17-19%. Fat 4-7% and fibre 6-15%. As long as it's within that range then it'll be fine.

Pellets aren't necessarily a bad thing. It makes sure that your hamster is getting all the nutrients it needs. These are especially good for hamsters that only pick out parts of the mix. Like only eating the corn and sunflower seeds. Seed mix encourages their foraging instinct and is a bit more natural for them.

If it works for your hamster why not continue with it?

That being said, the protein on your current food is 21%. Perfect for growing hamsters and some dwarf species, but an adult Syrian, maybe not. My other issue with it is how vague the ingredient list is. It doesn't really say what's in it and that bugs me.

But it's not all bad! You could make your own mix. Keeping 50% of the mix being your current pellets and the other 50% mix of seeds. Now you will need to keep this balanced. You can't just add seeds here and there. I've added a calculator found on hamster hideout. It's one I use myself.

https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=...deHeaders=True
Jupiter is around 7 weeks old now so that shouldn't be a problem. I try to give her healthy snacks to give her a varied diet. Thanks for the link btw!
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Old 01-16-2020, 06:02 AM   #6
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

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Originally Posted by cypher View Post
Engel I've heard that Puur is good too but it's best to check the ingredients & GA to be sure before deciding, it does contain fruit including raisins so I definitely wouldn't recommend it for diabetes prone species.
A few pellets combined with a good mix is fine but not as a main diet, with a good food picky eating isn't usually much of a problem tbh.
I make my own mix too but would suggest doing a lot of research first, it took me months of research into different suitable ingredients as well as the overall protein, fat & fibre content of foods before I was sure I could provide my hams with a really good diet.
Are there any other brands you'd recommend? I've looked into Rodipets but the price + shipping bothers me (I'm not that big on money right now)
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Old 01-16-2020, 06:17 AM   #7
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

Not really to be honest, I did have a look on Zooplus Netherlands site to see what they have but nothing suitable for Syrians & I don't know what else you might be able to get there really.
The cost of Rodipet is a bit high I know but it's worth thinking about buying a few bags at once & storing them in the freezer if you can afford it.
If you come across any other brands in your country that you think might be suitable I could take a look & see if you'd like.
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Old 01-16-2020, 07:06 AM   #8
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

I use the Rodipet young Syrian mix and mix it 50/50 with Bunny Dream Syrian hamster food from Zooplus. The rodipet food is a bit expensive. To be honest if you want a mix that provides everything, hamsters enjoy and gives variety, then you can't really go wrong with Harry Hamster which is probably available on Amazon (and tends to be in most countries). It doesn't have the quality of ingredients of the Rodipet and Bunny foods, but they are low in protein so the protein needs supplementing. Harry Hamster has the correct protein levels. I quite like it - it has whole peanuts in shells in and the pieces are a good size for a syrian. So you could give that as your main food and supplement with fresh treats as well as veg - eg the odd blueberry, piece of cheese or apple etc.

I wouldn't use the Bunny Dream on its own as the pieces are so teeny - syrians seem to prefer bigger pieces.

Our first Syrian had nothing but Harry Hamster plus some fresh treats, and lived to 2 years and 8 months and many hamsters have been healthy on it. Our second syrian had nothing but Rodipet and Bunny and also lived to well over 2 years old. So in terms of disease or age I don't think it makes much difference

But you do need a mix with the correct balance of protein etc, which Harry Hamster has. One advantage it does have over other mixes (other than Rodipet and Bunny) is it is sugar free and that is quite important. Sugar is not good for hamsters - they get tooth decay like the rest of us!
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Old 01-16-2020, 07:08 AM   #9
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

Not sure if you can get it locally but you can get it on amazon.de. One tip though with any hamster food. It's a good idea to put it in the freezer for a week and then store it in an airtight container. Freezing it kills moth eggs which are too tiny to see and which many pet foods contain. I speak as someone who had a massive moth problem from hamster food!

https://www.amazon.de/Supreme-Harry-...9183611&sr=8-1
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Old 01-16-2020, 07:10 AM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Syrian hamster food, different options

Viovet in the Uk also sell it and I believe they ship to many countries - not sure what the postage is but it can pay to buy 2 or 3 bags as the postage isn't a lot different when you buy larger quantities. I do that with the Rodipet food.

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Supreme-Har...amster&sct_r=1
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