Questions about dwarf hamster food

[cloudy]

Hello, I have an unusual problem. I am highly allergic to sesame seeds and I cannot seem to find any good quality dwarf hamster food without sesame. I looked at pellets but read that they are not kind to hamsters as it does not give them a natural diet. I looked at making my own and read only people with a lot of experience should attempt it.

I have been using the hammingway date base and even food that is rated highly seems to have issues. I read a recommended food from ratrations has caused some hamsters to be unwell. That was the only one I could see without sesame seeds. I wondered if anybody had any advice for me.

[Ria P]

Did you have a look at the ingredients list of Harry Hamster food? I'm at work or i'd have a look but it's quite a chunky food so not sure if it has sesame seeds or not.

Pellets are a complete food but doesn't allow a hamster to forage which is a natural behaviour and very important to a hamster.

There are small businesses on Etsy who sell hamster food. Maybe you could approach them to make up a dwarf mix without sesame seeds.

I have my doubts that a food from ratrations would make a hamster ill and wonder if the hamster would have fallen ill anyway, especially a dwarf hybrid.

[sushi_78]

Making your own mix requires lots of research rather than necessarily hands-on hamster experience (as experience doesn't give you knowledge of nutrition) so if you are willing to do that research it could be an option at least as good as an Etsy mix.

There is a reason sesame seeds are used in a lot of foods: they're high in calcium and very palatable. I mix my own rodent foods and use a lot of sesame for that reason. It might be tricky to make a balanced mix without them but it's probably possible with some creativity.

I believe the RatRations issue was many years ago and related to a nutrient deficiency which is always a risk with a homemade mix.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Did you have a look at the ingredients list of Harry Hamster food? I'm at work or i'd have a look but it's quite a chunky food so not sure if it has sesame seeds or not.

Pellets are a complete food but doesn't allow a hamster to forage which is a natural behaviour and very important to a hamster.

There are small businesses on Etsy who sell hamster food. Maybe you could approach them to make up a dwarf mix without sesame seeds.

I have my doubts that a food from ratrations would make a hamster ill and wonder if the hamster would have fallen ill anyway, especially a dwarf hybrid.

Thank you very much for your reply. It appears Harry Hamster does not have sesame but I was not sure it was a good food as it was rated ' Average' on the hammingway data base. I appreciate your thoughts on the ratrations food. You have been very helpful.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by sushi_78

Making your own mix requires lots of research rather than necessarily hands-on hamster experience (as experience doesn't give you knowledge of nutrition) so if you are willing to do that research it could be an option at least as good as an Etsy mix.

There is a reason sesame seeds are used in a lot of foods: they're high in calcium and very palatable. I mix my own rodent foods and use a lot of sesame for that reason. It might be tricky to make a balanced mix without them but it's probably possible with some creativity.

I believe the RatRations issue was many years ago and related to a nutrient deficiency which is always a risk with a homemade mix.

Thank you very much for giving me your thoughts. You have given me much to think about.