Food and other items for a new Syrian?

[AmityvilleHams]

Flying Saucer wheels and any other name they're marketed under aren't the greatest.They cause side arching,they are creating an unnatural running pattern,and take up a massive amount of space compared to an appropriate upright wheel.

They're by no means a wheel replacement,but for a Syrian in a square meter or larger cage it could actually work out as a good toy.

[Nedriel]

I'm going to take a properly wheels for be always inside the cage, this one is just curiosity and only sometimes if she get use to me and I can get her out for play with me on my bed or something like that x3 so as a toy I can try this one? I didn't know anything just saw on a video and I was really curious about it :/

I find also a food that I can find here Versele-Laga Hamster Complete you know it? or Harry Hamsters is way better?

Harry Hamster Protein 18.0%, Crude fibre 6.0%, Fat content 6.0%, Inorganic matter 5.0%, Calcium 0.8%, Phosphorus 0.6%.

And Versele-Laga Hamster Complete
Crude protein 19,5 %

Crude fat 5 %

Crude fibre 5,5 %

Crude ash 7 %

Calcium 1 %

Phosphorus 0,7 %

Vitamin A 20.000 IU/kg

Vitamin D3 2.000 IU/kg

Vitamin E 150 mg/kg

Vitamin C 50 mg/kg

Copper-cupric(II)sulfat 5 mg/kg

I think I'll get Harry Hamster anyway since everyone here talks really good about it but just wanted to ask about this one aswell since I can find it where I live >w<

[AmityvilleHams]

I remember Harry Hamster being much better

Harry Hamster does give a comprehensive ingredients list,while Versele Laga only gives a vague list which isn't good at all.

[Nedriel]

I thought so I don't trust cunipic or versele laga but I didn't see that "complete" one before and wanted to ask >-< Harry Hamster wins then haha x3

[Nedriel]

Okay (sorry more questions x3) I saw Alfalfa King Timothy Hay for Small Animals is this nice for hamsters? how do you give it to them or how often? or it's like a thing for they make their bed etc? also I saw another foodie don't know if you know it

Supreme Science Selective Hamster Food
Protein - 19.0%
Crude fibre - 5.0%
Fat content - 5.0%
Inorganic matter - 5.5%

It's bad meh or way better Harry Hamster?

Also saw Supreme Stickles I did read sometimes it's nice to give them, it's all on viotic website >w< it is good or I'm overthinking?

[AmityvilleHams]

Hay isn't beneficial to hamsters like it is to rabbits and guinea pigs.For nesting material,just use toilet paper which is unscented and can be broken apart with water.It's cheap,easy,and entirely safe unlike hay which can cause injury and irritation for hamsters.

Science Selective pellets could work as a treat,but for the majority of hamsters a mixed diet is far better and it is certainly more natural and appropriate.

The stickles aren't great,generally treat sticks are like giving candy to hamsters.It's not healthy,they give no benefit,and there are tons of much healthier options out there The Rosewood treats tend to be very good in general though and would be a better choice,but not all are entirely hamster safe so you have to find the ingredients of certain products or even just put the link on this thread and you will be able to find out if the ingredients are actually hamster safe!

Another good idea for treats is using veggies,fruits,and herbs.They have to be hamster safe ones,but fresh treats are always the best option and hamsters generally love these just as much as they love the extremely unhealthy storebought treats

[cypher]

I don't much like the vagueness of the ingredients list Versele-Laga give for their food either & think you'd do better with HH, has better overall nutrition anyway.
Science selective is a good nutritionally balanced food & can be used alone or mixed with something like HH, personally I like to see natural foraging behaviour in hamsters which can be achieved by scatter feeding a muesli type mix like HH but not really with an all in one biscuit like science selective.
I think it must be a bit boring to have just that biscuit all the time too!
Hamsters can have hay & some enjoy it but it should only be used as an extra not as a main substrate or nest material, you do have to carefully check through it for sharp bits that might damage pouches & it needs to go in the freezer for at least 48 hrs just in case of mites.
The very best nesting material is just shredded plain white toilet tissue btw.

[Nedriel]

So short story it's better HH or mix it sometimes with science selective or a muesly mix? and okay no Hay then just wondering the person that got her told me to use heno under the cage but I didn't have no idea about hay so wanted to ask! I also prefer give fruit and vegs, need look for fruit and herbs list that they can eat safe x3 thanks you a lot!

So also I can give HH and find a mix of muesli and mix them both sometimes right? and science selective just for change a bit sometimes? or mix with HH or muesli? like one month HH, sometimes with muesli, then another time get Science selective and mix with HH or muesli?

And about toys... I was looking for this
https://www.viovet.co.uk/Boredom_Bre...x+29cm&sct_r=1

Is this ok for hamsters? also the treats from HH is good for give sometimes or just better fruit, vegs and herbs as you told me?

[AmityvilleHams]

That toy would not be safe.The chains could trap toes,the bridge can be fallen through,and also hamsters naturally are not climbing animals like rats are so it isn't really that good for enrichment in terms of naturalistic enrichment.

However,the same brand does make lots of great natural toys which are more appropriate!

[cypher]

I agree that toy just looks like an accident waiting to happen! If you want ladders stick to solid ones like the bendy bridges (sometimes called playstix).

There's a list of different foods & plants here that might help you out.

I would keep the main food simple & just use HH then you can supplement that with veg, a few extra seeds & other safe treat foods.
By muesli type mix I meant HH or similar, sorry if that was a bit confusing!

ETA just had a quick look on viovet for toys or useful safe accessories, I don't think they have the best range tbh but here's a few things to have a look at.

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Boredom_Bre...ew_Tube/c5541/

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Naturals_Ca...nimals/c17273/

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Classic_Rus...nimals/c15326/

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Naturals_To..._N_Hide/c5526/

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Boredom_Bre...Tunnel/c14498/

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Small_N_Fur...nimals/c21992/

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Naturals_To..._Gnaws/c11915/

For things that come in more than one size think rat size rather than what's called hamster size!