Beginner feeding question

[Jendanger]

Hello!

So I picked up Chubbs last night. He came with his tank, hides and toys, water bottle, and some food and bedding. I haven't been out to the store yet as I need to get a bunch of things for him. His wheel is waaaay too small and I want to get some platforms to set food out of bedding and I think I'll also try to find some sand for him. The food that came with him is a brand called Vitakraft, vita smart complete nutrition, natural forage blend. I live in Alberta Canada. It seems like it's got pellets, seeds, corn, peas, oats, alfalfa. It looks quite lovely hahaha I know I need to supplement diet with veggies and fruits as well as protein like insects. I gave him some carrot and cucumber this morning as well as a teeny bit of scrambled egg which he went mad for! He of course loves the sugary carrot and nibbled the cucumber but I don't think he was keen on cucumber. Has anyone had any luck with feeding mealworms? I know I used to get them live for birds and chickens but I can also get them canned (moist but dead for reptiles) and I can find them dried for chickens if those would be safe for a hamster. Thank you for your help! Let me know whether this brand of food is decent or if I should search for different!

[Jeir]

The food I would recommend for those in North America would be the Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix. The Harry Hamster version we have here in the UK is pretty much the same thing, and is what I've been feeding my hamsters for twenty years (as well as a species-specific Rodipet mix, but it's rather expensive).
The Vitakraft mix you currently have is okay, but it seems to be mostly alfafa, which most hamsters ignore. If you wish to continue with this mix, it's up to you.
As for mealworms/insects, I've never had a syrian interested in those, but most of my dwarf hamsters did like them. Things like cooked, plain chicken has always gone down well, though.

[Jendanger]

Originally Posted by Jeir

The food I would recommend for those in North America would be the Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix. The Harry Hamster version we have here in the UK is pretty much the same thing, and is what I've been feeding my hamsters for twenty years (as well as a species-specific Rodipet mix, but it's rather expensive).
The Vitakraft mix you currently have is okay, but it seems to be mostly alfafa, which most hamsters ignore. If you wish to continue with this mix, it's up to you.
As for mealworms/insects, I've never had a syrian interested in those, but most of my dwarf hamsters did like them. Things like cooked, plain chicken has always gone down well, though.

Thank you! I will check tomorrow to see if I can get that food mix! I have a bunch of things to pick up for Chubbs to spoil the little thing rotten!

[Jendanger]

Originally Posted by Jeir

The food I would recommend for those in North America would be the Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix. The Harry Hamster version we have here in the UK is pretty much the same thing, and is what I've been feeding my hamsters for twenty years (as well as a species-specific Rodipet mix, but it's rather expensive).
The Vitakraft mix you currently have is okay, but it seems to be mostly alfafa, which most hamsters ignore. If you wish to continue with this mix, it's up to you.
As for mealworms/insects, I've never had a syrian interested in those, but most of my dwarf hamsters did like them. Things like cooked, plain chicken has always gone down well, though.

Ps! I also found out tonight that he really enjoys black beans! I do too!