Picky eaters + new owner!

[Lo_615]

Hi,
We just set up everything for two winter white dwarf hamsters; unfortunately the pet store was the first source of information and now I have lots of questions!

The pet store recommended Volkman Hamster Gourmet diet. It is a mix of lots of different seeds, grains, and a few pellets. The guaranteed analysis looked okay, so we bought it. The hamsters love it... mostly. They have been picking through it, eating most things but leaving some in the dish. I am worried that the actual amounts of nutrients they are ingesting will be different from the guaranteed analysis.

Also, they aren't touching the large, husked seeds like pumpkin and sunflower. (Which maybe should just be treats anyway?) I don't know if they just don't feel like doing the work to take the shells off or if they are too small for big seeds.

So, is that diet going to keep them healthy, or should I switch to another kind?Are there commercial diets specifically for dwarf hamsters? Lastly, I am curious if people have had success with mixing ingredients themselves.

Sorry for the barrage of questions! Any advice would be very appreciated.

[The Hamster's family]

Where are you from ?? Not all companies are available everywhere... =(

[Lo_615]

Oh, good point. I am in the US (Idaho specifically). Locally, I don't have many shopping options so I wouldn't be opposed to ordering hamster food online-- I already order dog food online.
Probably couldn't afford international shipping, though! So US- based companies would be preferred.

[HollyHamster]

Hello there!

I find that this is a wonderful forum with a wealth of hamster related information and friendly, knowledgeable people who are more than willing to help a new owner out. Its great that you care enough about your hamsters to come on here and learn more about their needs and such.

According to many sources, the ideal analysis of any hamster food mix should be 16% - 20% protein, 5% fat, and 10% - 15% fiber. Also be aware that dwarf hamsters, specifically hybrids, Russian winter whites, and Chinese hamsters, are prone to diabetes. Removing the sugary foods like corn, peas, and fruit from their diet is strongly recommended.

I find that Harry Hamster is the best seed mix commercially avaliable for us in the US and best fits the ideal nutritional analysis.

[Nush]

Do you know what mix the hammies were at the pet shop? Sometimes if you change their mix, it takes them some time to adjust. The recommended thing to do is to mix their old food with their new one and then slowly start to phase out the old mix. In your case it's possible they were on the same mix that the pet shop recommended.

All hamsters will pick and choose the bits they like and eat those first. If you feel the mix is not diverse enough you could supplement it with seeds. I'd recommend ones that are high in carb and lower in fat like buckwheat, hemp seeds, linseed, oats (porridge oats).

In terms of the best hamster mix, Hollyhamster is right, a lot of people including myself use Harry Hamster, and take out the sweetcorn and peas (yellow and green flat bits and the dry sweetcorn bit) from that and I add the seeds as extras so that the mix remains fairly diverse. Most of my hammies would eat the seeds because it seems more natural to them.

BTW: Harry Hamster might be called Hazel Hamster in some parts of the US. They're both the same thing.

[racinghamster]

Regarding the sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in their shells. Try using scissors and cut the white shelled pumpkin seeds into strips. I do this for my roborovski and he eats them because the shells have been partly opened for him. Sunflower seeds should be given as treats only (maybe three or four each day?) and these can also be shelled, but it shouldn`t be necessary as hamsters usually know how to shell them.

I can`t comment on your mix as Im in the UK and not the US.

[Lo_615]

Enormous thank you to everyone! This is the mix they were on at the pet store, and I probably should have waited to see more of their eating habits before barraging the forum with questions
I can now see that they do eat most of the food eventually (and I've found sunflower seed shells in their little nests, so apparently they are fine with shells, lol). However, the food mix does have quite a bit of corn, peas, and sunflower seeds so I will sort it a bit and try adding some better seeds. They aren't full grown yet so I'd love to prevent future health problems! I will look for Harry Hamster and phase that in gradually.
As far as treats go, I was just planning on giving them occasional sunflower seeds and fresh veggies, so hopefully that keeps them on track for a long healthy life!
Thanks again!!