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Old 11-10-2020, 10:32 AM   #1
NibblesTheHam
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Default Are these good foods?

Hi! Unfortunately, only about two months ago did I realize that some hamster foods are unbalanced and/or unhealthy. I have a syrian hamster and I and currently giving him a food that isn't really very high variety, so I just want to know what food I should get the next time I buy food for the little guy. Thanks!

His current food: https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/topcrop...complete%20and

Past foods: https://www.petvalu.com/ca/product/h...ood/SCM03824CA

https://www.petvalu.com/ca/product/f...ood/SCM06420CA

https://www.petvalu.com/ca/product/n...ood/SCM03404CA

P.S The last past food I think was my favorite, because it had a lot of different things in it.
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Old 11-10-2020, 12:05 PM   #2
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

The proper diet for any hamster species in the US & Canada is Higgins Vita Garden(not Sunburst which has dried fruits added).

https://www.petland.ca/products/higg...in-3-varieties

I would stay far away from Kaytee foods due to very poor quality ingredients. The food from Walmart linked doesn't even have an ingredient list which is concerning, so I wouldn't recommend that one either. The second food listed seems fairly mediocre - not the worst food I've seen but you can do better. As far as the Versele Laga goes, Versele Laga in general often have multiple vague ingredients(which remains true in this case too) so I would go with a higher quality food instead.

Ultimately, the best option you're going to have is the Higgins Vita Garden. No vague ingredients, no artificial dyes, no added sugar, no dried fruit. You can boost the protein of that with Pure Bites but I would recommend rotating a variety of those rather than just using one specific protein source to get more nutritional value & variety.
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Old 11-12-2020, 05:58 AM   #3
maudie222
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

Hi I hope Nibbles you don’t mind me adding a question to your thread as it’s the same topic?is this ok protocol wise as well?
I’m giving my Syrian this as her main food “Pets at Home Hamster Muesli with Wholesome Grains and Seeds”, a sprinkle daily of “Rosewood Boredom Breaker Natural Treat Herbs Plus” (tho it’s lost it’s strong herb smell half way thro the pack), a couple of sunflower and pumpkin seeds daily and a small piece of cheese or cooked chicken abt 3 times a week. He won’t eat mealworms. Does this mix sound ok nutrition wise?
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Old 11-12-2020, 07:22 AM   #4
maudie222
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/...X300_V1___.jpg

Ps not a food but the ad says it's edible. My hammy hasn't nibbled it but my fb group says it's dangerous to have in the cage asis made of sawdust and honey. Can I get your views?
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Old 11-12-2020, 08:21 AM   #5
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

Opinions will vary, but having those types of things in the cage can be very dangerous if they get chewed and ingested. The problem is that manufacturers are using inedible things that normally would not get eaten(for example wood shavings) and making animals think they're food by adding things like honey.

Unlike having wood chews and such in the cage, pets are far more likely to consume these types of things. That can lead to serious and even lethal digestive blockages which have been seen in other pets.
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Old 11-12-2020, 08:58 AM   #6
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

Maudie, I would maybe look into swapping the petsathome brand to Harry Hamster.
I think I have the same herb mix, but I just use it once a week as a treat.
I have only had one Syrian out of 4 that would eat a meal worm.
The house/hide you linked to is ok if he doesn't chew it, but I suspect he will if it has honey in it. Maybe a good one to use for when free roaming. I used to give my hamster a treat made out of something similar and she loved them, but they really aren't safe I was horrified when I found out what they were made out of. Wood is good for a chew, but I don't really want any of my hamsters eating a treat made out of compactedwood/sawdust!
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Old 11-12-2020, 12:22 PM   #7
chesca_27
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

The house you linked is fine - I’ve just looked it up on Amazon and it says it isn’t made of honey and is actually alfalfa, which is considered safe. I have one from Pets and Home for my hybrid and she uses it as her main nest.
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Old 11-12-2020, 03:06 PM   #8
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chesca_27 View Post
The house you linked is fine - I’ve just looked it up on Amazon and it says it isn’t made of honey and is actually alfalfa, which is considered safe. I have one from Pets and Home for my hybrid and she uses it as her main nest.
Actual Snak Shacks do not just use alfalfa - they include honey, wood shavings, and alfalfa(among other ingredients including synthetic dyes). However the issue is that because of the inclusion of honey it makes pets think they're edible as mentioned previously. They are not safe for unsupervised use such as in the cage as I've already stated. Using them for free roaming and such is a much safer idea with very close supervision of course.

It's also worth mentioning that the Pets at Home ones don't include an ingredients list at least on their website so the "made with alfalfa" claim doesn't hold much value anyways. There certainly would be some alfalfa included, but it definitely isn't just alfalfa by any means!
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Old 11-12-2020, 03:23 PM   #9
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

This one specifically says without honey and Rosewood is generally considered a safe brand that makes good products, which is why I say this one is safe. I am not familiar with Snak Shaks as I don't think we have them in the UK so I'm talking only about the P@H/Rosewood one.
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Old 11-12-2020, 03:27 PM   #10
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Default Re: Are these good foods?

Even for the ones without honey you should still keep an eye out for any chewing and ingestion. They are still equally inedible(despite marketing claims) so proceed with caution.
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