Up To Date Diet Tips! - Page 2

AmityvilleHams · 04-10-2016, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I think Nancy uses Higgins, and yes it's an old thread and I think some of those foods have changed formula as well. What is wrong with Hazel Hamster? Apart from being low in protein and needing supplementation.

Hazel Hamster became a very low quality food with artificial colors,oils preserved with BHT,and also the quality is different to Harry Hamster now.

However,Higgins happens to have no artificial colors or flavors,all natural ingredients,and the only things in it that aren't directly food are the vitamins and minerals.Higgins also has considerably more variety as an added bonus!

WinnieTheHam · 04-10-2016, 05:13 AM

Nearly all foods will contain artificial colours, Harry hamster does. I think for the UK the best mix is Burgess hamster harvest, it has more variety and no artificials I think. My hamsters definitely prefer it over Harry hamster.

AmityvilleHams · 04-10-2016, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnieTheHam

Nearly all foods will contain artificial colours, Harry hamster does. I think for the UK the best mix is Burgess hamster harvest, it has more variety and no artificials I think. My hamsters definitely prefer is over Harry hamster.

I guess we're just very lucky in the US to have a mix that doesn't contain any

oddlyoblivious · 04-10-2016, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

There was quite a good thread on US hamster food options here, where people shared their tips

Best Hamster foods in the US????

Charlie (Syrian) is actually very picky about fruit. He'll go crazy for a small piece of apple or banana but won't touch anything 'fancy' like Strawberry or Blueberries. He is quite clearly a meat and two veg man-ham lol, with English tastes in fruit as well. He has tucked into pheasant, grouse, beef, chicken, porridge and scrambled egg with great gusto!

I'm sorry, the 'Fancy' made me giggle.

I would say that Sirius doesn't get fruits or anything with added sugar because that was the Exotic Vet's recommendation, Given that he's a campbell's if not a hybrid.

I was looking at a Burgess mix actually, but at 80 bucks for 9 2lb bags I'm not sure it's the best value. (I'd have to do math and my brain is tired atm) Vita craft mix looks decent, Nancy does use Higgins, but I don't know if it's the vita formula or the Tropical blend. I would guess vita.

cypher · 04-10-2016, 06:20 AM

Oddy I wouldn't buy in that quantity whatever the price, it may work out a bit more expensive in the long run but I would just buy one bag at a time, you really don't want to keep it more than about 6 months as even dry food loses nutrition over time & hams don't eat very much!

AmityvilleHams · 04-10-2016, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oddlyoblivious

I'm sorry, the 'Fancy' made me giggle.

I would say that Sirius doesn't get fruits or anything with added sugar because that was the Exotic Vet's recommendation, Given that he's a campbell's if not a hybrid.

I was looking at a Burgess mix actually, but at 80 bucks for 9 2lb bags I'm not sure it's the best value. (I'd have to do math and my brain is tired atm) Vita craft mix looks decent, Nancy does use Higgins, but I don't know if it's the vita formula or the Tropical blend. I would guess vita.

Higgins Sunburst Hamster and Gerbil is the one that is mostly recommended,and you combine it with Mazuri Rat and Mouse lab blocks

cypher · 04-10-2016, 06:24 AM

Is the Higgins the best you can get in the US now? It's still not ideal for a dwarf with added molasses, fruits including papaya & pineapple which personally I don't think are good for hams.
I'd still recommend oxbow for a dwarf ham but you would need to be able to find a decent seed mix to combine it with & upping the protein a bit is easy.

oddlyoblivious · 04-10-2016, 06:31 AM

No that's the only way I've found it sold, hence not buying it XD. I just don't have the space in my freezer for that much. Higgins is more for Syrians I believe, which Sirius will have a ''sister'' probably before he even gets home, Oxbow will be his feed supplemented with a mix and fresh protein and veggies once he's off the pet store feed.

I've heard of people supplementing too with things like flax seed for the omega whatstis, that are supposed to be good for the coat. I'm curious, can ham's eat tuna?

**Cinnamon Bear** · 04-10-2016, 06:33 AM

I don't think that Pet-Co would use Kaytee Forti-Diet across the country if it contained chemicals that cause cancer? I could be wrong but I don't think so? Then again my Chloe Rose Petal has a tumor and she's been on Kaytee her whole life?

How do you feel about Vita Kraft Vita Smart? I use a combination of Vita Kraft Vita Smart along with Higgins Sunburst.

I also have enough food, seed mix & lab blocks mostly Higgins & Mazuri to last a year, in freezer bags in my freezer.

Amity, how much do you break down the Mazuri? Into almost power or crumbs or mini-chunks?

cypher · 04-10-2016, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oddlyoblivious

I've heard of people supplementing too with things like flax seed for the omega whatstis, that are supposed to be good for the coat. I'm curious, can ham's eat tuna?

Flax seeds are very good for them, hemp seed is good too but they only need a few, they make a good treat as they love them!
Fish isn't natural for them & as mentioned in another thread it can make your cage stink!
Best stick to seeds or just give a tiny piece of fish as a very rare treat.

CB I think the Vita Kraft Vita Smart has less sugar/fruit ingredients & is probably better overall for dwarfs.