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10-26-2020, 03:09 PM
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#1
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 45
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Hamster not eating dry food
I changed my hamsters fry food recently to a nicer mix, it has mealworms etc. It’s called mr Johnson’s supreme hamster and gerbil mix instead of a handmade pet store one which was quite basic, I mixed them so it would get her used to it and she was eating it fine, she’s had it for about a month and all of a sudden she’s not eating it, I give her fresh for every other day and dry food inbetween 3 table spoons. I don’t know if it’s the food, weather or is it because I’m looking after my sisters guinea pig that cage is in the same room that’s making her not eat it. She’s had some fresh food but hasn’t eaten much fry in about 6 days. She’s a Syrian hamster, she’s running around like normal and doesn’t seem unwell but not sure what to do.
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10-26-2020, 04:02 PM
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#2
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House of Hamsters
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
Try scatter feeding. Hamsters quite like to forage for their food. You could also try Harry Hamster. My late Syrian didn't like the Mr Johnson's mix. I think it was too sweet and fruity for him.
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10-26-2020, 10:43 PM
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#3
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Dwarf whisperer
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
If she doesn’t seem unwell then it could possibly be the presence of the guinea pig but I wouldn’t have thought it would upset her that much unless they’re very close to each other.
It does seem a bit odd if she ate it before but that really isn’t a good mix, I would try switching to Harry Hamster & see how she gets on with that, it’s a much better quality food & most Syrians do seem to like it.
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10-26-2020, 11:14 PM
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#4
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Adult Hamster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 303
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
Maybe she is eating from her horde. My hamster likes eating in her bed, I never see her eating the dry mix. I have a Syrian and she doesn’t like mealworms at all! You could try taking them out as if she doesn’t like them the smell may be putting her off?
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10-27-2020, 01:42 AM
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#5
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 45
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
I think she’s just not interested in it, I’ll buy the Harry hamster mix today and see if she’s interested in it, I clean her bed every 3-4 days as she will sleep, poo and store food all in the same place *♀️ But there hasn’t been any dry. The guinea pig is on the floor and she’s up high about a metre away. Thank you everyone. I didn’t realise it wasn’t a good mix, it was what my independent pet shop recommended
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10-27-2020, 06:26 AM
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#6
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House of Hamsters
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
You could keep an eye on her weight by weighing her once a week to see if she's losing weight from not eating her hamster mix.
Maybe she has a dental problem. Could you check her teeth?
You could also offer her some porridge or babyfood to see if she eats that.
Does she pee in her nest/bed? If she doesn't pee in her nest there's no need to clean that often because poos are nothing to worry about. They're dry and don't smell but hamsters can get very upset by too much cleaning.
It could be that she has a hoard somewhere else for that reason.
Unfortunately pet shops will recommend anything that makes money same as any shop really. Best to read the ingredients list.
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10-28-2020, 03:29 AM
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#7
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 45
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
I’ll start weighing her from today. I bought the Harry hamster food and she did take some but still isn’t eating the whole bowl like she used to. I’ll give it a go but she moved so much lol.
What sort of porridge does it have to be?
She usually does outside her bed but I few times when I’ve left it longer to clean she has weed in her nest not loads but I can tell from the colour of her bedding. This is my first hamster so just getting to know what’s best.
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10-28-2020, 03:55 AM
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#8
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Cosmic Hamsters
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,593
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
Hi HannahE, how old is your hamster and are you able to check her teeth?
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10-28-2020, 06:35 AM
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#9
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Newborn Pup
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 17
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
you could try hazel hamster. my syrian loves it.
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10-28-2020, 06:41 AM
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#10
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Hamster Antics
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
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Re: Hamster not eating dry food
Good idea to check her teeth as mentioned above. How old is she. However our Syrian never empties the bowl and sometimes doesn’t seem to take much food (and only does it after I’ve gone to bed - I have a night camera!). But has a good hoard stashed away. He is quite picky. They do tend to mostly eat from their hoard. They vary - our first Syrian always emptied the bowl (Harry Hamster) but all of it is pouched for hoarding - they actually eat very little every day as they’re so tiny and don’t need that much. They tend to always eat any fresh extras put out. Giving a tiny bit of veg every day as well as the hamster mix is always recommended - cucumber, carrot, broccoli are staples. Half a shelled walnut is a popular treat as well but I usually find that although it is excitedly nabbed straight away it is usually hoarded and saved for a special occasion!
I agree that Harry Hamster is better than the other mix and it’s hamster specific and contains everything needed plus Syrian sized pieces (and peanuts on their shells). But hamsters vary - they can often go a bit funny during a change of food but then get used to it.
You’ll need to change it over gradually over a week or so mixing it in as before. I would put the usual amount in the bowl and scatter a little bit bit far from her house. If she doesn’t forage much for it (they can be picky about that too) then stop doing that or you end up with a cage full of food. I now scatter a few pumpkin seeds occasionally instead.
I also put the bit of veg separate from
Thee food bowl - eg next to it or even on the other side of the cage so they have to go and find it (gets them using the whole cage if they’re shy) but always in the same place. Because they go for that first they may snack or hoard from the food bowl during the night. But weigh her weekly as well.
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food, she’s, eating, hamster, fresh, it’s, mix, fry, dry, cage, pig, guinea, i’m, weather, sisters, hasn’t, normal, running, doesn’t, unwell, syrian, days, eat, making, that’s |
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