[Pebbles82]

The Hamster mix is part of the most important thing. They need 18 to 20% protein in the first year, to build muscle. The Kaytee diet isn't the best. As well as the protein levels, the ingredients need to be of good quality without fillers.

For treats and taming treats it's best to use natural things like pumpkin seeds. With our Syrian hamsters they get a tablespoonful of hamster mix every day, plus a very tiny piece of fresh daily, and one "extra" or treat. In my case the treat is a protein treat every 2 or 3 days as the mix I use is not quite high enough in protein - but it's good quality. Sometimes that's half a walnut or half a cashew nut, other times some pumpkin seeds a mini chew stick treat or a blueberry for example.

Aside from diet there are other things that can mean they don't quite thrive and gain weight and stress is one of those. You probably know all that, but avoiding stress means not cleaning out too often or throwing away their hoard and nest regularly. Plus not too many changes.

It could also be genetic - and to do with breeding.

But generally a hamster flourishes and gains good muscle tone and weight with the right diet and right environment.

Our current Syrian is a rescue hamster who was tiny and only weighed 97g when I got him. I was told he was a particularly small hamster. He is now a standard sized hamster, filled out (but not overweight) and weighs 170g! He is flourishing.

One other thing that can make a difference I believe - is excessive use of a wheel when they are very young. Now all hamsters love their wheels and use them a lot! Especially when young. But I think some breeders don't let them have a wheel until they're about 10 weeks old. Partly out of fear of them having a heart attack and partly so they don't get too lean too quick - and fail to gain muscle tone.