Best Pellet Formula for Picky Dwarf?

[anniechu87]

My Russian Dwarf is being picky about her pellets and doesn't seem to like the Oxbow pellets I give her. I'd be more comfortable giving her a pellet formula since with seed mixes she can be picky.

[Pebbles82]

I think Burgess Dwarf hamster is popular for dwarf hamsters I believe a dwarf mix is better than a general mix. Cypher will know

Although I am guessing you are in the US if you are using Oxbow. They do tend to prefer a muesli type mix as they like variety.

They do sell the Burgess dwarf mix on Amazon.com but it works out expensive and only sold in bulk I think. She might like Hazel Hamster - it's the same mix as Harry Hamster in the Uk.

This seed mix looks good for treats

Amazon.com : F.M.Brown's Tropical Carnival Natural Select Seeds Treat : Pet Snack Treats : Pet Supplies

This mix seems popular with dwarf hamster owners but it's a bit low in protein so that would need supplementing

Amazon.com : Vitakraft Vita Prima Sunscription Dwarf Hamster Formula, 2 lbs. : Pet Food : Pet Supplies

It's important to avoid anything with sugars in or fruit for a dwarf hammy as they can be prone to diabetes.

You can supplement with meal worms, nuts, and other protein fresh foods like the occasional piece of plain cooked chicken, plus a tiny piece of fresh veg every 2 or 3 days (broccoli, carrot, cauliflower and cucumber are all safe).

[Pebbles82]

I think this is one for a US dwarf hamster owner! Apparently the vita craft mix may have too much corn in it but Hazel Hamster is ok - even though it's not a dwarf hamster mix. If she doesn't like the Oxbow then Supreme Science Selective is an all in one food that could be mixed in with it.

Amazon.com : Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Hamster 350 g : Pet Supplies

[cypher]

It is much more natural for them to eat a mix with seeds & grains in it rather than pellets, I personally think they need the variety & they can follow their natural foraging instincts with a muesli type mix which they can't do with pellets.
If you're worried about picky eating just don't refill the bowl until the food is gone, about once every three days, or scatter feed which I find discourages picky eating & gives them something to keep them busy too.
It can be difficult to find a good dwarf mix in the US, the second one Serendipity linked to is probably one of the better ones for a hybrid as it doesn't have much in the way of fruit or sugars, you can get it from Petco too & it gives the nutritional break down on their site. The protein content is low at 13% but you can supplement that with a couple of mealworms a day & some plain cooked chicken, just a small piece, once or twice a week.

[Pebbles82]

Posted at the same time as Cypher - I read elsewhere that the Vitakraft one had corn in Cypher - do you think that is an issue?

[cypher]

Corn is fine as part of a balanced mix, ideally it shouldn't be given as an extra though.
I think it's the things like apple juice concentrate & molasses that most US mixes seem to contain is more of a problem but overall I don't think the sugars are too high.

[Pebbles82]

If you really want to stick with pellet formula then Science Selective may be more tasty to her than oxbow, and it has the right protein levels in too. But it would still be good to mix in some seeds and supplement with fresh food

Or try her with the Vitakraft one and mix in some science selective.

[BunbunManju]

Hi, I am feeding my hamster pellets too, but I mix different brands of pellets to give him variety. The brands I use are Supreme Science Selective Hamster and Versele-Laga Complete Hamster and Gerbils. I did mix Oxbow in initially, but Mochi never touch them and he eats the other two just fine. I am still finding other pellets and lab blocks to give him more variety. In the mean time, you might want to try these two?

[anniechu87]

I'm actually located in Canada!! Also, thank you for your reply I'll be sure to look into them.

[freyashamsters]

Something I know a lot of US owners do is they mix the Higgins Sunburst mix with the Mazuri Rat & Mouse blocks

If you really want to stick with just pellets though then I think SS pellets would be more appealing than Oxbow