Block food vs the other stuff

[Kiki_3173]

I've been having a little trouble with my feisty little hybrid & her eating habits. She's picky and will eat only certain parts of her Hazel Hamster, which is a concern I've heard from others as well. Someone mentioned to me today about possibly trying her on a "block food" which doesn't give her the option to selectively feed. I give her fresh food every day and I tried a supplement that sprinkles over her food called Missing Link (which she has yet to eat ).

I have 2 questions.

#1 - is that a good option for a furry that is SO picky.

#2 - can anyone reccommend a good block food to use that can be found in the US?

[Biscotti]

I used to be very staunch about a pure seed mix diet from a enrichment and quality of life point of view. But after almost half a year of my hams on good quality lab blocks (I feed the Harlan Teklad blocks, along with a huge box of RMH3000 thanks to Hamtastic ), I can say that I'm a convert. My hams have very little trouble transitioning to the blocks, they seem to like it fine (they smell pretty good to me also ). I still supplement their diet with my own organic seed mix so they get to forage and enjoy some variety.

I'd say it's definitely worth trying out if Smudge is refusing to eat a lot of her current mix. At least on my own hams, there was visible improvement on their fur condition over a few weeks especially on Pixel, my little scruffy robo. And my Sprite (who's already 10 months old) even had a growth spurt and filled out a bit.

Harlan Teklad 2018 blocks are easily accessible in the US, it's a high quality wheat-based block with no BHT. 18.6% Protein, 6.2% Fat, 3.5% Fiber. The fiber content is a bit low like most blocks, but you can supplement with veggies and seeds. You can buy this block from a lot of rat groups or ebay. I found the Crafty Rat page sells 2 lb samplers, so you can try it out without buying a huge 50 lb bag.

[Kiki_3173]

Originally Posted by Biscotti

I used to be very staunch about a pure seed mix diet from a enrichment and quality of life point of view. But after almost half a year of my hams on good quality lab blocks (I feed the Harlan Teklad blocks, along with a huge box of RMH3000 thanks to Hamtastic ), I can say that I'm a convert. My hams have very little trouble transitioning to the blocks, they seem to like it fine (they smell pretty good to me also ). I still supplement their diet with my own organic seed mix so they get to forage and enjoy some variety.

I'd say it's definitely worth trying out if Smudge is refusing to eat a lot of her current mix. At least on my own hams, there was visible improvement on their fur condition over a few weeks especially on Pixel, my little scruffy robo. And my Sprite (who's already 10 months old) even had a growth spurt and filled out a bit.

Harlan Teklad 2018 blocks are easily accessible in the US, it's a high quality wheat-based block with no BHT. 18.6% Protein, 6.2% Fat, 3.5% Fiber. The fiber content is a bit low like most blocks, but you can supplement with veggies and seeds. You can buy this block from a lot of rat groups or ebay. I found the Crafty Rat page sells 2 lb samplers, so you can try it out without buying a huge 50 lb bag.

Thank you for the fantastic info Biscotti!!! The same things you've mentioned are the issues I've seen in Smudge...declining coat/skin quality, loss of weight, etc. When I clean out her cage she's got huge hoards of food still left in her IKEA hammy condo. She's been checked by the vet and he gave her a clean bill of health (other than her being a seriously picky eater)...this is an easy option to try.

I know that you are supposed to gradually change food over time with animals as to not upset their digestive systems...did you do this with your furries or did I you find that they were still selectively feeding?

[Biscotti]

You're welcome! I hope it works for you.

I did a bit of transition by simply putting the blocks into their tanks and always having it available, then gradually cut back on the amount of seeds I give. It wasn't a carefully monitored transition, but my hams seem to like the blocks to begin with so it wasn't hard to get them to eat it.

If Smudge doesn't take to the blocks as easily, then you may have to be more stingy about the seeds until she start eating it regularly. I let my hams have the blocks free choice (so there's always a few everywhere in their tanks), and scatter feed about a teaspoon of seeds per pair each day, sometimes skipping a day if I'm finding seed stashes. It has the added bonus that foraging is now "serious business" for them and I can use the seed mix as treats/rewards during handling sessions.

[Kiki_3173]

I've ordered a 2lb bag and just waiting for it to arrive so that I can try it with Smudge. I really like the idea of going back to being able to scatter feed some seed for her (which I stopped doing & went to bowl feeing, so I could monitor how much she was eating). She really enjoys the search for food. Thanks again!

[Kissa]

I see you've got some good info from Biscotti, but I just wanted to ask if you had thought about a nugget or pellet food? I am not sure what is available in the US, it might be that the lab blocks available are better nutritionally, but you can scatter feed a nugget mix, so it seems like the best of both worlds

[Biscotti]

I think I'm being dense here, but I thought blocks and pellets are the same thing? Sadly food selection and quality for hamsters in the US is rather bad, that's why I've turned to lab blocks. Oxbow used to be pretty good but the protein was lowered to 15%, and Ecotrition Organic Mix had been discontinued. We do have Hazel Hamster (but my hams won't eat 90% of it ), and happily, Science Select is now available at Petco. But for some reason the ingredients and % are not the same as in the UK. I'm not sure why this is the case.

I feed my own mix for a good while and originally only tried the blocks as supplements. Since my hams seem to like it, I don't feel too guilty about it anymore. But I do try to find a good balance between nutrition and variety, it's an ever evolving process for me. I'm always glad to have new suggestions.

[Kiki_3173]

I was under the assumption that blocks & pellets were the same thing too!

[Victoriah107]

After there is no more to be had (the Ecotrition Organic Blend), I'd be interested in knowing what anyone else is using in its place. I have valued highly the organic choices when available. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated

[Kiki_3173]

I've been feeding Hazel Hamster (US equivalent to Harry Hamster), which my Syrian loves. My dwarf however, won't eat 90% of it. I also have a mix of seeds that I use as a supplement to their regular feed, as well as, fresh foods.