Syrian Feeding Needs - Page 2

Jenibelle · 11-24-2015, 06:39 PM

I was looking at the Oxbow product today! I was going to go with that because I fed the piggies Oxbow too. With guinea pigs the feed is the supplemental food (most of their diet consists of vegetables and hay)... with hamsters it seems it's meant to be the other way around though. It seems that the feed is meant to be the base, and the vegetables and proteins are meant to supplement it.

cypher · 11-24-2015, 11:24 PM

I quite like the oxbow, it has a good mix of ingredients, the protein is a bit low so it would need some supplementing but other than that it's a good base feed, all in one or lab block food can get a bit boring for them though so it might be worth thinking about using it in combination with another muesli type mix.

greysome · 11-25-2015, 08:30 AM

I feed my hammies a combo of Hazel Hamster, Oxbow, and Harlan Teklad. They usually get a relatively equal share of Hazel Hamster and Oxbow though I use Hazel to scatter feed and oxbow is normally in a bowl. Normally, they get a day's worth of each every couple of days. Once or twice a week, I'll either skip the Hazel and give them Harlan Teklad in it's place, or I'll give them all three. I find most of my hammies prefer Hazel Hamster, then Harlan, then oxbow.

ETA: I say every couple of days...on days where they don't get a tlblspn or so of "new" food, they (the syrians) do get a half tspn or so of Hazel hamster to forage for and a pinch of a (supplement) grain mix.

Jenibelle · 11-25-2015, 09:20 AM

I appreciate the suggestion

I saw Hazel Hamster at the store too. I don't think I saw Harlan Teklad, but I'll look into it!

greysome · 11-25-2015, 10:17 AM

Harlan Teklad (aka Native Earth) are a block rodent food and I've very rarely seen it in store and never in the big chain stores--you can buy it online in smaller quantities as the one or two times I did see it in a (small local) store, it was I think a 40 lb bag. I've heard good things about it and with oxbow and the new Hazel Hamster on the lower end of protein levels, I figured it's be a good way to increase their protein intake while not taking away room with treats. Just make sure you get one with a good protein content (they have different "formulas" with different protein levels) I think they have one with 18% for more daily feedings. Since mine only get it once or twice a week, I think I may have gotten a higher percentage one though.