Rodipet food

[Professor_Nibbles]

Hi, I am looking for some advice please. I currently feed my hamster Harry hamster mixed with a bit of science selective, but considering moving her to Rodipet mix.

1) If she is 9 months old, do I choose the junior or should I go with variety mix?

Based on the following:
crude fibre: 7.9 %
crude protein: 14.9 %
crude oils and fats: 9.2 %
crude ash: 3.2 %

2) I know I need to top up protein based on that. But my hammy doesn't like mealworms etc or eggs. She does like a bit of chicken but only takes a small bite out of a small cube size piece. If I was to get this mix, how would I top up her protein?
Also are the other stats in this mix ok without needing top up?

3) The ingredients list for this includes millet, dandelion root. Does that mean I can't add these things into the cage as forage incase it messes up the stats?

Any advice would be appreciated thank you

[SKB_Hamsters]

1) Rodipet say on their website “this mixture serves as a change from the … junior & senior food. We recommend a portion of "variety" for your fur nose every third day instead of the "Junior" or "Senior" main food.”

So based on this you could buy both or just the junior mix.

2) What Species of hamster do you have? I assuming by you saying she doesn’t like mealworm I would say you have a Syrian? If so a good protein source is freeze dried chicken. You can buy it from cat section of pet stores. Which is cooked chicken which has had all moisture removed. This go down well. And give this as a treat alongside the food. Nuts such as pistachio and walnuts are also higher in protein.

Please try not to worry too much about stats on species specific mixes. I would advise following the rodipet feeding guidelines on their website then you shouldn’t need to worry about the stats.

3) I would just be cautious about the amount you add additional to the cage. If given as treats/ your hamster eats these sparingly you won’t have an issue adding additional to the cage. If your hamster overindulges on these alongside the food mix then reduce the amount extra you feed and give other seed sprays to increase variety. My pets (other than my Russian) don’t overindulge in these additional treats unlike my Russian who I have to be careful with how much extra I feed.

[Professor_Nibbles]

Thank you for the help @SKB_Hamsters
My hammy is a Syrian. I didn't know if the freeze dried chicken for other pets were safe for hamsters. I did buy some freeze dried chicken from an Etsy store before, but she didn't like it either. She only touches a bit of fresh chicken I cook on the day, but that is too costly if am not gonna have it for dinner myself.
I had no idea hamsters are allowed pistachios. But she does love walnuts. I was worried about using nuts as top ups because I saw that nuts was suppose to be used sparingly due to the high fat. But it might be worthwhile if I can alternate it with some chicken.

[SKB_Hamsters]

There are different forms of fats - nuts being plant based contain unsaturated fats which is considered a healthy fat - can help lower cholesterol and has other health benefits. However even though considered healthy they still need to be fed in moderation.

With pistachios I buy them from the baking aisle as they are unsalted and unroasted. I give them in their shells so they have to work a bit harder to get the out.

All protein are typically higher in fat. Chicken is lower in fat being a lean meat but other Lower fat protein source include dried grasshoppers, or freeze-dried shrimp but as your Syrian doesn’t like mealworms then she probably won’t like these either.

I use these freeze dried chicken treats - https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...cat-treat-27gm. You can use freeze-dried chicken from other species as long as it 100% chicken which no added preservatives.