Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Feeding/Nutrition

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-26-2020, 03:09 PM   #1
HannahE
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 45
Default 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.
HannahE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2020, 04:02 PM   #2
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default 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.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2020, 10:43 PM   #3
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default 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.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2020, 11:14 PM   #4
Maker
Adult Hamster
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 303
Default 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?
Maker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2020, 01:42 AM   #5
HannahE
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 45
Default 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
HannahE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2020, 06:26 AM   #6
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default 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.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 03:29 AM   #7
HannahE
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 45
Default 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.
HannahE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 03:55 AM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
Cosmic Hamsters
 
LunaTheHamster1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,593
Default Re: Hamster not eating dry food

Hi HannahE, how old is your hamster and are you able to check her teeth?
__________________
Cosmic Hamsters YouTube Channel
LunaTheHamster1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 06:35 AM   #9
DocEmm3tt
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 17
Default Re: Hamster not eating dry food

you could try hazel hamster. my syrian loves it.
DocEmm3tt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2020, 06:41 AM   #10
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default 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.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
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

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:57 AM.