Picky Eater Question!

xStephC · 05-30-2014, 10:03 AM

So Daisy (LH Syrian) is currently fed a mixture of Hazel Hamster and Oxbow every day, I usually give her a tablespoon of HH with 4 or 5 Oxbow pellets. The problem is that Daisy usually eats everything of her HH food besides the alfalfa pellets. So I have several questions: does the Oxbow help give her the nutrients she needs that she's not getting because she doesn't eat the pellets or should I put in something else? How necessary are the alfalfa pellets to her diet? I've also heard of people giving their hamster a sprinkle of oats to go with their food, should I start doing this?

Oh! And I've also seen people on youtube pick out the corn and pea flakes, should I start doing this? I would have if she only ate those but she eats everything besides the alfalfa every day. Thanks guys.

Stockannette · 05-30-2014, 10:06 AM

Carmelita doesn't like the alfalfa, either! I guess that's why some (including my vet) recommend a food like Oxbow Healthy Handfuls that's everything all ground up together so they can't "selectively feed" - meaning pick out their favorite parts.

ETA: I think people who pick out the corn and pea flakes are doing that because they have dwarf hams/robos/hams who are prone to diabetes, so they can't have the sugar. Someone will chime in any second to correct me if I'm wrong, as we've only ever had Syrians.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 05-30-2014, 10:07 AM

Most hams don't eat alfalfa, I'd try not to worry too much

And no. People only pick out the corn and pea flakes if they're worried about diabetes and believe thats an appropriate response. Personally I'm against removing them even for diabetes prone species (theres no proof it'll prevent diabetes but there is proof an unbalanced diet can cause problems) and I'm far more against removing them for the non-diabetes prone species.

xStephC · 05-30-2014, 04:42 PM

Thanks guys. I'm such a worry wort whenever it comes to Daisy… I won't remove any of the flakes and I'll keep doing what I'm doing!

**DrKMcK** · 05-30-2014, 04:51 PM

My hams love oatmeal. I sprinkle a little with their food about every three days or so. I also give them a slivered Almond and a few pumpkin seeds too. They like plain yogurt, pasta, a bit of chicken, and you can't go wrong with adding a piece of fruit or vegetable 3 times a week. Just about every hamster I have had leaves the pellets. Along with my hammy's mix I also give them Harlan Teklad 2018 blocks. It had eveything they need in one nice hard food. Good for their teeth too. If you'd like to try the blocks this is the link: Product Categories: The Crafty Rat

Skeever · 05-30-2014, 05:03 PM

I've been on the Crafty Rat diet now for six weeks. If it continues to work for me , I'll try it on the hammie. Meanwhile, I have to stop him from urging me to get the Beef and Broccoli hotpot meal from the local Chinese place..........

I am over optimistic to think that Ziggy might take care of ME in my golden years?

Thats a rhetorical question since a NO, would sadden me unnecessarily.

Skeever · 05-30-2014, 05:05 PM

I love how Hammies can be so different. Ziggy is NOT a fan of pumpkin seeds tho he will nibble at them. He can also find the cous-cous more appetizing than the bit of hardboiled egg? I now know the horror my parents faced trying to get me to eat vegetables......