Many hamsters prefer seed mixes because of the variety. You do not need to join the program to purchase seed, but by joining you get great benefits. Seed Mixes. Rather than listing them all here, we created a post just for dangerous foods for hamsters. Everyone who’s anyone knows of the famous twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, also known as the Olsen Twins, who mostly made their name by starring together in various TV shows and films. The bag good size bag and so is price:) 1 You liked it! That’s perfectly natural hamster behavior! Nevertheless, the mixes differ a lot. They can sometimes contain contaminants that can be lethal for a hamster, even in small amounts. So, here’s a quick summary of the most important things to keep in mind when feeding hamsters. Protein is made up of amino acids and is responsible for a myriad of processes throughout the body. How Long Do Syrian (Teddy Bear) Hamsters Live? Many of the current hamster mixes were done with the advice of a veterinarian. They need more varied sources for protein in their diet. Fats are made up of lipids, and also have a number of important roles in the body’s functions. It’s also used for energy, and so having the right amount is important to your hamster’s health. They forage for food and use their famous pouches to carry it back to their burrows. The Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix from Tiny Friends Farm is another good choice for dwarf hamsters. Mix all your ingredients up together and store in a tightly covered container in a cool dark place. So, the type of sugar matters too. Week 1: Mix 1/4 of food to 3/4 of current food. The first seed mixture on our list, Vitakraft Natural High-Diversity Formula delivers a wide variety of ingredients with no added sugars. The best hamster food is one that your hamster enjoys, and that provides all the vitamins and minerals he needs. Dwarf hamster mix often includes mealworms that are a healthy protein source that Syrian hamsters will ignore. This will prevent them from storing too much which isn’t being eaten. Remember that all you need to worry about is providing your hamster with high-quality species-appropriate commercial food, and then supplementing with healthy hamster treats in small amounts. Another lab block food, Kaytee Healthy Forti-Diet Pro-Health can work well with certain seed mixes. How Do You Find a Hamster Lost in the House? Seed mixes. In the wild, hamsters can forage for a wide variety of fresh greens and pick out exactly what their body needs. Cost is $25 per year Monthly Newsletter . What are the nutritional requirements of hamsters? Here are a few more things you can feed your hamster to provide them with some extra special food and give them more variety in their diet. As with seed mixes, you’ll want to look for lab blocks that include a variety of ingredients. They are designed to accommodate your hamster’s diverse nutritional needs. Avoid peanuts though. That means you’re responsible for providing the variety and nutritional balance he or she is craving. favorite this post Dec 25 female robo hamster (wtf > Wichita Falls) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. A mix of high-quality lab blocks (pellets) and a good seed mix. Copyright © 2021, Fatpouches. We added the amount to give your hamster after each berry listed. Don’t try to limit the amount beyond that, and allow your hamster the freedom to store the food for later use. Quality hamster food with better standards. Access to TEAM GRO Member experimental mixes. Meats fed to hamsters must be unseasoned and thoroughly cooked. Can you play with your hamster for 30 minites each day? Keep in mind that this amount is the total of all veggies you’re feeding them that day, so if you’re feeding two different vegetables in one day, it should still only be ½ to 1 teaspoon in total. One Cup Sunflower Seeds. We’ve put together this guide to help beginners provide the right nutrition for their pet hamsters. You can create a hamster mix using organic ingredients, or you can simply offer a small amount from each category of foods every day. 7. A seed mix can include a mixture of pellets, seeds, and other dried whole food ingredients. Which means you should make sure your hamster has a good supply of food and it’s ok if he or she stuffs her pouches and carries some back to the nest. It should contain a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate. As you can imagine, trying to decide between lab blocks and seed mixtures is difficult. This is where we encourage you to also check out our guide to foods that are dangerous for hamsters. So, if you truly want what’s best for your pet, you need to start by feeding him or her right. What makes it even more difficult is the fact that there’s no one food that has the right levels of protein, fat, and fiber. Supplement your hamster’s diet with fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. The amount and frequency will be with each individual item because they vary. Soybeans (soybean hulls, dehulled soybean meal, and flaked soybeans), Wheat (whole wheat, puffed wheat, and ground wheat), Provides an opportunity for selective eating. Powered by Shopify. These next vegetables are only safe in small quantities and when given rarely. Historically, seed hamster food was the main and only choice of food when getting a hamster. Seed mixes. Once again, that’s the total if you’re feeding different amounts. Studies done on the optimal hamster diet are few and far between -- essentially only done by the labs or lab block companies.. We stock brands of mixes made with variety and a good balance of protein, fibre, and fat for healthy hamsters. The best way to ensure that your hamster is getting all the right nutrients is to serve a diet that varies every day and includes grains, seeds, herbs, vegetables, protein, nuts, and treats. Studies have shown that wheat-based protein is not enough for hamsters. And again, your best bet is to look for food that is specifically formulated for hamsters. Now that we know that hamster nutrition needs to include a good balance of carbs, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals – what’s next? Dedicated to Healthy, Happy Hamsters. Fatpouches' Premium - Ultimate Hamster Seed Mix, Fatpouches' Standard - Floral Hamster Seed Mix, Fatpouches' Standard - Spring Hamster Seed Mix, Fatpouches' Premium - Delight Hamster Seed Mix, Fatpouches' Standard - Summer Hamster Seed Mix, Regular price Even mixing can’t fix a quality problem. It has a good variety of ingredients including some animal-based protein, and is all-natural with no added sugars. What kind of hamster food should you buy? When a hamster is picking and choosing what she eats from her food, she’s not getting the guaranteed analysis. Native Texas Mix Item #: 1001 Category: Native Seed Mixes Habit: Annual & Perennial Bloom: Mar-Nov Height: 6 - 36 inches Planting Rates: Rangeland 15 lbs per acre Lawn & Garden Pkt covers 20 sq ft Dpak per 700 sq ft 1 lb per 2,800 sq ft Price: Pkt - $3.00 Dpak - $25.00 1 lb - $39.00 Most hamsters do well on a combination of rodent chow (rat blocks) and hamster pellet/seed mix. SunSeed Critter Cubes are lab blocks that are great for mixing with a seed mix because of their high protein content. Because they’re high in sugar and water content, fruits should be feed less often and only in very small quantities to hamsters. Provide your hamster with food as per the quantities detailed on that quality pet food you bought. The information gathered so far suggests that 14%-20% protein is a good range for most hamsters. Some foods may be varied enough to cover the needs of more than one type of rodent pet – but not all. For pregnant females and growing hamster pups, the general recommendation is 18% protein content. Give your hamster a tablespoon of this food once a day and supplement it with fresh fruits and veggies about every two to three days. By splitting ingredients, they can have less desirable ones appear further down on the list when people stop reading. Some small seeds are also safe to give on a daily basis and in addition to the ½ teaspoon of the other foods in the previous section. Turner Seed is your one-stop source for native and improved grasses, wildlife, wildflower, and field seed. To reach optimal nutritional levels through more variety. When shopping, make sure the bag specifies hamsters. The Humane Society of the United States advises feeding your hamster just one tablespoon of pellets or seed mix a day, in addition to sporadic treats. The best option for your pet dwarf hamster would be pelleted food. When looking at the ingredient list, you should first be looking for the number of whole foods included in the food. Manufacturers often do this because ingredients are listed by quantity. These have different serving amounts and frequencies which will be noted next to each item. Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen With Their Younger Sister Elizabeth. This will lead to a diet that is not balanced and worse, your hamster will not get all the vitamins it needs. Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix* contains tasty ingredients like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, maize, oats and wheat as well as peas. Lactose and fructose, in particular, should be limited in your hammy’s diet. Purchase commercial hamster mix from a pet store. Promotions, new products and sales. It’s essential to start with high-quality foods whether you’re trying food mixing or picking just one food. While it can and often is okay to use, it does risk your hamster being picky only eating its favorite seeds. Boiling and baking are both acceptable ways to cook meat for hamsters. We’ve got tons of articles that will help you with anything you may need to make sure your hamster is happy, healthy, and thriving. A pelleted mix can be supplemented with a variety of other items as long as the pelleted food makes up the bulk of the diet. But does have added vitamins. $10.00. Week 2: Mix 1/2 of food to 1/2 of current food. With this, we can see there are 8 whole food ingredients: This is a good example of having repeated ingredients. Many hamsters prefer seed mixes because of the variety. You can skip these completely if you’re worried about giving too much. How do you implement that when you’re at the store or shopping for hamster food online? $20.00, Fatpouches' Premium - Gerbil Seed Mix (Low Fat), Fatpouches' Premium - Fancy Mice Seed Mix, Fatpouches' Standard - Rabbit & Guinea Pig Supplementary Mix, Regular price They are distributed throughout the Palearctic zone of Eurasia (Anderson and Jones, 1984). We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Avoid processed sugars in hamster food and limit overall sugar intake. Because all seeds are different sizes, we’re including the amount of each type of seed that can be fed after it. Start by cutting back by ½ a tablespoon each day. How to supplement your hamster’s diet with fresh food? We’re going to quickly define them and go over some pros and cons of each so you have a better understanding of what’s best for you and your hamster. You can check it out here. Hagen® Hamster & Gerbil VME (Vitamin & Mineral Enriched) Mix provides a tasty selection of the finest seeds and nuts that hamsters and gerbils would forage in the wild. To determine how much to give your hamster, first figure out how much commercial feed you’re giving your pet. Apple seeds, grape seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, and plum pits are particularly dangerous for hamsters. As you can imagine, too much fat can cause weight gain. However, these are safer in slightly larger quantities and have different feeding recommendations. There are a few other seeds that are safe to give you your hamster. Hamsters need to eat food throughout their waking hours, to satisfy their high rate of metabolism. Look for the label on the pet food bag to find out the percentage of protein, fats, carbs, and fiber that are included in the mix. For example, you can give 1 pumpkin seed on Monday, a soy nut on Wednesday, and a squash seed on Saturday. This is because they’re safe to be fed on a daily basis. Keep reading to get everything you need to know how to feed hamsters right. For that reason, you can also provide some of this for your pet. Why Do Hamsters Die? Proteins are the building blocks of tissue, so they’re essential for growth too. Also, although they’re more expensive per pound, they’re also more packed with nutrients and there’s little waste, so many owners find they save money by using them. A small, bite size amount of fresh vegetables and fruit is recommended 2-3 times a week. In terms of dry food/seed mix, for a Syrian hamster feeding recommendations are 1 tablespoon every day, or 2 tablespoons every other day. Take this quiz! One Cup Flax Seeds. Complement with additional protein accordingly and provide fresh veggies to supplement vitamins and minerals. New to hamsters? You may notice that many of these are already in commercial foods. In order to maintain good health, a hamster needs to get a well-balanced diet which includes all of the nutrients it needs, in the right amounts. Is A 20 Gallon Tank Big Enough For A Hamster? Researchers established that wild hamsters eat at 2-hour intervals throughout the day. What about other types of meat? Some benefits of seed mixes include: Whole food ingredients; Minimally processed You should only give your hamster the amount they need for the day. Even with foods that are totally safe, follow the guidelines in each section and be careful to not feed more than what’s recommended. A mix that’s formulated specifically for hamsters, and only hamsters, is the way to go. This is another hard question. This is the total combination, so don’t give ½ teaspoon of each! Some of the benefits to lab blocks include: Overall, lab blocks are a great way to guarantee that your hamster is getting proper nutrition since he can’t pick and choose what he wants. These foods you can feed on a daily basis as part of their regular food. Shepherd/ lab mix - female (etx) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Monthly TEAM GRO Member only specials. 6. The most natural source of animal protein for hamsters are insects that you can purchase at your local pet shop. Pet parents can treat hamsters with a small amount of greens or fruits. There are also many other foods you can add to your hamster’s diet. With these vegetables, you can feed between ½ and 1 teaspoon to your hamster every 1-2 days. You can feed these to your hamster every 1-2 days. Here’s an example from part of VitaSmart Hamster Food’s ingredient list: “Soybean Hulls, Wheat, Flaked Corn, Oats, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Carob Pods, Puffed Wheat, Flaked Soybeans, Flaked Peas, Wheat Middlings, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Ground Wheat, Ground Corn, Timothy Grass Hay, Peanuts, Chopped Timothy Grass Hay, Corn Gluten Meal …”. While seed mixes have their benefits, the biggest concern is selective eating. However, these should only be given 2-3 times per week, and only one at a time. Research shows that too much fructose and lactose can kill a hamster, whereas a similar amount of sucrose will not. The reason for that is their relatively high-fat content. Here are a few simple rules that will help you pick the right food for your precious little furry friend. So, how to feed your hamster? Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix, Brown’s Tropical Carnival Natural Gourmet Food, our guide to foods that are dangerous for hamsters, Wet Tail Disease in Hamsters – Prevention and Treatment. Some of these foods should be avoided entirely, while others may be given in very small amounts. Their digestive system is actually a bit different and they thrive on a slightly different mix of nutrients. This can cause problems because she may not be getting enough protein, fat, or fiber. For that reason, many hamster owners use a mixture of lab blocks and seed mixes to create the ideal food for their pet. It contains bits and pieces of that good stuff your hamster will love to forage around for. Quality hamster food with better standards. Week 3: Mix 3/4 of food with 1/4 of current food. Beef especially has high-fat contents which are unhealthy for hamsters. We’re going to give you a recipe to create the best possible mixture, then let you know how you can create your own mix and calculate the new guaranteed analysis. If given more than that, you may see it disappear from the food bowl, but it’s likely going into storage rather than being eaten. Some are very basic. Cindy Cribbs, owners Haven for Hamsters Rescue and Sanctuary, feeds their hamsters about a tablespoon of food once a day. Although many of these are technically vegetables, because they’re a different category, they can be fed in addition to the other vegetables listed above. 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