Syrian hoarding food

[walsh366]

We have just bought our first syrian hamster and the pet shop recommended Selective Hamster all in one "hearts". The recommended feeding guideline on the bag is 5-10g per day which we worked out is on average 7 "hearts".

We are finding that our syrian (now 12 weeks old) collects all 7 pieces and hides them in her bed. She has now amassed a stockpile in there and only appears to eat one or two "hearts" per day.

Am I best to reduce what I give her to 2 "hearts" each day and let her eat her stockpile down, or chuck her stockpile bar a couple of bits and give her only 2 or 3 per day, or change to muesli (which is what our robo hamster had) and supplement with a "heart" or two?

Very confusing to know what to do for the best but not under/over feed her.

Thanks for any advice

[souffle]

I personally am not that keen on this food. I would change to a mix with lots of seeds in it and mix the complete hearts in to this so she has a choice. The hearts do little to stimulate the hamsters natural instinct to forage and select seeds and nuts. They enjoy choosing what to eat and the variety of tastes and also the chance to shell the seeds and nuts.
It is normal for them to hoard the bits and they should always have a moderate store as this gives them a sense of wellbeing. Like you having a well stocked larder.
You wouldn't like to eat the exact same dinner every day would you so I think hammies should be able to choose too myself.
We feed a good sized bowl every 3 days and this ensures the hamsters eat a bit of everything. They will naturally eat a balanced diet. A young hammie should also have small extras like chicken, pasta, egg, tofu, fruit & veg a few times a week. Our youngsters also have babyfood and porridge too. Feed sparingly and work up to more regular feeding. Also go slowly with the changeover to give her time to adjust.
Welcome to the forum

[walsh366]

Thanks Im enjoying this forum!

I have taken your advice and swapped to a mix (Harry Hamster) and still put a couple of the hearts in to ease her into it gently.

She does seem to be loving the foraging and my daughter nearly died laughing watching her trying to stuff a huge peanut outer into her already full pouches - she gave up, stabbed it with her two front teeth and then tried to get it down her tunnel (hilarious).

I have noticed too, which may or may not be a coincidence, that since changing to the hamster mix she is less smelly. Our robo was not smelly at all and we all commented how we could smell the syrian more when she arrived, but since swapping she seems not to smell at all (maybe its like adults having garlic breath/asparagas wee)

[racinghamster]

Harry Hamster mix is a good for syrians and I use it for mine aswell, but I also use Burgess Supahamster Harvest mix because I also have a chinese hamster, so my syrian gets the best of both!

I tend not to feed vegetables but they are fine given in very small amounts but be sure to only feed safe vegetables. I give my syrian a slice of fresh apple a few times a week and he loves it.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

[lisab]

I dont like this food and neither did my hams
I had a load given to me and i mixed them in to the normal food, and the just got left and wasted. a nice mix of things is much better.