Vitakraft Menu Vitals vs. Laga Hamster Crispy

[Kissa]

You'll want to avoid anything that contains fruit, which the third mix you've linked to does. Fruit is high in sugar, so not ideal for hybrids.

Personally I'd use the Vitakraft just because they are much more specific about what ingredients are in their mix!

[janiv]

How do I know which one has less sugar?
Thanks

[Munchalot]

Unfortunately when you use a mix that is unspecific and contains derivatives, you never really know what ingredients are put into it and so it's hard to tell which has less sugar.

Of the two, I would be inclined to go with the Vitakraft. They do sell a lot of sugar free recipes, so I would better trust their recipe. As difficult as it is with what you have available, I think the best you can do is pick the one you think is best, and monitor the other things you include in the diet. If you really limit the amount of other sugars you add, such as those you would find in fresh fruit and veg, then those in the food would not be so bad. If his supplements and treats are all low in sugar, then the base mix would be the only really source of sugar in the diet, and it wouldn't be so bad.

[Anthorn]

Originally Posted by janiv

How do I know which one has less sugar?
Thanks

Since carbohydrates and/or carbohydrates including sugar is not included in Hamster feed nutrition tables you don't know. If any feed manufacturer includes it please advise and then I'll most likely change to it. While such things as glucose and fructose may be included in the ingredients list calculating the actual proportion is inaccurate or even impossible.

Personally I find it highly surprising that they don't include that information because the proportion of carbohydrate is related to the proportion of fat in a balanced diet. Not including the carbohydrate information prevents the making of an informed choice.

[janiv]

Thanks,
So how do I choose the best food for my hams if I need the least sugar?

[Anthorn]

Originally Posted by janiv

Thanks,
So how do I choose the best food for my hams if I need the least sugar?

What it comes down to is whether or not you trust a feed manufacturer to provide the best for your hamster or at least which you trust the most. Personally I tend to disregard the composition or ingredients list and concentrate more on the nutrition list and what it ultimately comes down to is whether or not my hamsters eat it. For example my hamsters won't eat grass pellets and Harry Hamster contains a lot of them but Burgess Supahamster contains relatively few while Bunny Hamster food contains great big ones and a lot of them. So for my hamsters Burgess Supahamster is the best feed but still needs to be supplemented with hay..