Questions about Syrians' diet ;)

thebestchicken · 02-27-2006, 03:03 PM

Hey everyone ! I'm a new member of this forum, I'm Pauline, I'm French, and, for 3 weeks, I've had a rescued Syrian hamster at home.

He is my first Hammy, so, I'm trying to get use to him. I feed him a mix I was adviced, the best you can find here in France actually (I made research

), but, there is much much fat in it, 10%, and few vitamins and stuff... So, I was thinking, I might mix that food with lab blocks, as they are better for his health. I'm not going to feed him only lab blocks, as, in france, they are known to be disliked by hamsters, and to make them thinner, as they eat less...

That poor little thing was found in the wall of the basement (don't ask me why !

), was rescued by a friend of mine, we both act for animal rights, so I got him.

I want him to have the best diet I can give him, so I give him Kitten food (like, 2-3 pieces a day), Quaker Oats (like, twice a week), and, sometimes, some cheese (when I do, I don't give him Kitten food

)

Here is a (don't know the word, sorry, I'm french, and don't have any dictionnary near me) I made :

I feed him the second food, and I'm thinking to add on the third one to his diet....

What do you guys think ? Is it a good idea ? Is anyone doing the same thing ? (with differents brands, of course)

Thanks

(sorry, it is very long, but I really want to explain everything, to have a good answer, and to find Mr Panda the best diet I can

)

souffle · 02-27-2006, 03:18 PM

I would go for a hamster mix designed specifically for hamsters. Try to get one with no added sugar. Give him treats such as tiny bits of chicken, tofu, fruit (not citrus) and veg (not onion). Kitten food and cat milk is good for youngsters. I hope he does well. Remember hamsters store food so don't give too much moist food as it may go bad in the store.

thebestchicken · 03-01-2006, 07:52 AM

I just started to mix a hamster mix, and lab blocks, 75/25 now, but I'll go to 50/50 when he will be used to it.... Actually, he seems to like the lab blocks, it is the first thing he eats when he go to his "food store", I thought he may not like them, and stop eating, as I was told by other owners, but no.

For the vegetables, I only give little pieces, every 2-3 days, and I check his nest, but I haven't find any not eaten vegs yet

**babyboos** · 03-02-2006, 08:10 AM

Lab blocks are something I would love to use, but they are just not readily available in the UK

thebestchicken · 03-02-2006, 01:50 PM

and plus, they are cheap, the one I'm giving Panda is 2.75€, which must be, like, 1.8 £...

You should be able to find some on the net, the best brand, in my opinion, is Versele Laga (Prestige), I'm giving Panda their mix and their lab blocks (Rat and Mouse Duo), and my guinea pig eats Cavia Duo...

Emma · 03-03-2006, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyboos

Lab blocks are something I would love to use, but they are just not readily available in the UK

Babyboos I did find one lab block available in the UK, by mazuri zoo foods http://www.mazurifoods.com/index.html they do 'rodent breeder' and 'rodent maintenence' diets - don't know about minimum orders etc.

**babyboos** · 03-03-2006, 05:27 AM

Finally it is available near me - Rodent Breeder RM3E is £20.28 for 12.5kg and Rodent Maintenance RM1E is £19.51. RM3 has 22.3% protein and RM1 has 14%. I am having a bag of each delivered on tuesday as well as a new bedding based on spruce specially developed for research facilities - heat treated, dust extracted etc. £6.51 for 12.5kg

Thanks Emma