BENJAMIN’S Fabulous Life: A Tale of the Favorite Child

[HamsterMama]

BENJAMIN’S GOURMET JOURNEY: NUTRITION & ENRICHMENT​

MEET BENJAMIN: THE FAVORITE CHILD:
My hamster is a long-haired Syrian named Benjamin. His name actually means "the favorite child," and I definitely treat him like one! I’ve been doing a lot of research because I want to ensure he has EXCELLENT nutrition. I wasn’t thrilled with the pellets they recommended at the pet store, so I switched to MAZURI pellets. They are high in protein, but they are quite large, and Benjamin wasn’t super fond of them at first. Anyone want to share what they like best for their hamster?

THE FORAGING SOLUTION I noticed Benjamin enjoys his food much more if he has to FORAGE for it. If he has to dig or work for a snack, it automatically has more value to him! To solve the picky hamster big pellet problem, I crushed the Mazuri pieces into smaller bits. I used a simple paste of buckwheat and water to attach the pieces to a chew and some apple sticks. I am currently experimenting with the size of the pieces—crushing some into chunks and others into a finer powder—to see exactly which texture he prefers. I put these in the fridge after making to firm up the paste, so they stay together perfectly. To serve it, I let them get room temperature and then use a small cappuccino cup, filled with moss, and stick those apple sticks and chews upright. He is absolutely thrilled when I have done this with his boring pellets in the past.

MEAL PREP & FREEZING HACKS: I found these trays on Amazon that are PERFECT for hamster portions. Each little square holds about 1/16 of a teaspoon. I use these to freeze healthy treats in batches, like fresh broccoli that I run through my Vitamix to make a puree. I also use Gerber or Beechnut Stage 1 baby foods (like green beans) because they only contain the vegetable and water. I fill the tray and freeze them, but I always wait for them to thaw before giving them to Benjamin. However, in the summer, I may give them to him frozen as a little "popsicle" treat to help him stay cool! Has anyone else ever done this?
These trays are also helpful for things I buy just for him that could easily go to waste before he eats it all, like green bell peppers. (They aren't for my tummy—no thanks!—but he loves them). Now I can puree them so nothing goes to waste.

A DELIGHTFUL JOURNEY. It has definitely been a learning curve, but caring for him is such a delightful journey. I’m so happy to see him thriving!
Please share your tips and tricks in the comments. I love sharing and learning.

 

[HamsterMama]

Oops, here are the trays I found and use. I think they provide perfectly sized proportions for "treats," 1/16th of a teaspoon in each square. Here is the Amazon link if you think they might be helpful to you too.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XQL46FT?

 

[Maz]

Lovely to see Benjamin has a thread The tray idea is fantastic and very organised! I would like to try that but I know I'm not organised enough these days. The treat sticks he'll enjoy too I bet he would love some sprays as part of his foraging. Millet sprays and flax are very popular and there are others. You just push them into the substrate like little trees or plants and it helps with natural cover as well.

In terms of diet, I think choice in the US is limited, but most people use a muesli mix, for the variety, but some people do supplement the protein with mazuri as well. There is only really Higgins Vita Garden, in the commercial mixes, that is reasonable though and some people buy "home made" mixes on Etsy - with a lot of variety and ingredients - but they can work out expensive.

You're already giving him lovely chicken and veg home made cubes, which he will love! Maybe a muesli mix as well as mazuri might go down well '

Love the home made sticks with thing stuck on them though! There are a few ideas for home made treat sticks on here - using cardboard - eg the cone part of egg boxes (painted with flour and water and rolled in seeds) or toilet roll treat parcels with pumpkin seeds inside etc. Mostly under the diy section or cardboard creations

His kitchen area looks great

 

[HamsterMama]

Lovely to see Benjamin has a thread The tray idea is fantastic and very organised! I would like to try that but I know I'm not organised enough these days. The treat sticks he'll enjoy too I bet he would love some sprays as part of his foraging. Millet sprays and flax are very popular and there are others. You just push them into the substrate like little trees or plants and it helps with natural cover as well.

In terms of diet, I think choice in the US is limited, but most people use a muesli mix, for the variety, but some people do supplement the protein with mazuri as well. There is only really Higgins Vita Garden, in the commercial mixes, that is reasonable though and some people buy "home made" mixes on Etsy - with a lot of variety and ingredients - but they can work out expensive.

You're already giving him lovely chicken and veg home made cubes, which he will love! Maybe a muesli mix as well as mazuri might go down well '

Love the home made sticks with thing stuck on them though! There are a few ideas for home made treat sticks on here - using cardboard - eg the cone part of egg boxes (painted with flour and water and rolled in seeds) or toilet roll treat parcels with pumpkin seeds inside etc. Mostly under the diy section or cardboard creations

Thanks, Maz! You gave some great suggestions, and they’re much appreciated. I think I’ll check out Etsy and the Muesli Mix. Surprisingly, Benjamin is not a fan of sprays. I spared no expense and bought him an assortment of varieties—he was not impressed at all, and he wasn't worried about hurting my feelings about it either!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Lovely system, Benjamin is a very lucky hammy Yes, Socks completely ignores sprays, doesn't even give them a sniff

 

[Maz]

Thanks, Maz! You gave some great suggestions, and they’re much appreciated. I think I’ll check out Etsy and the Muesli Mix. Surprisingly, Benjamin is not a fan of sprays. I spared no expense and bought him an assortment of varieties—he was not impressed at all, and he wasn't worried about hurting my feelings about it either!

Aw that's typical. And I have to say most of my Syrians aren't that bothered about them either, but they vary. Raffy used to just trample on them as if they were in the way Some interest has been shown in the red sorghum by some of my syrians but not that much - they are quite picky sometimes. Higgins ignored his until he had his first partial cage clean and I had to remove quite a bit of his hoard as he had pee'd on it. And then suddenly he pouched everything he could see, including stripping a couple of sprays. But now he doesn't bother again and has got less anxious about being "robbed".

 

[HamsterMama]

Lovely system, Benjamin is a very lucky hammy Yes, Socks completely ignores sprays, doesn't even give them a sniff

Oh, Socks too? Good to know. And basically, "Fluff Butt" (a.k.a. Benjamin) is a voracious eater and has a great appetite.

 

[HamsterMama]

Sorry for the potato-quality pic I use a red light at night so I can see, but to a hamster it still looks dark — so it lets me spy on his nighttime antics while he thinks he’s invisible

 

[Socks' Mum]

Benny is so handsome

 

[Hamster Haven]

What fun ideas! My Syrians have also largely ignored sprays, with the exception of flax- they will forage those seeds like crazy and it's really cute to watch. I'm love your creative food ideas! I usually do a Mazuri block along with a tablespoon or half tablespoon of some type of seed mix- it's usually a Higgins or Vita Prima mix, but I also order the mix from Happy Hamstery online. I mix it up with those alongside the Mazuri. My first Syrian didn't forgate much and was completely a hamster of routine, so his food went right in his bowl or in a treat puzzle box that he learned to open. My current Syrian is a forager, so she gets a little mix in the bowl, but the rest is scattered.

 

[HamsterMama]

What fun ideas! My Syrians have also largely ignored sprays, with the exception of flax- they will forage those seeds like crazy and it's really cute to watch. I'm love your creative food ideas! I usually do a Mazuri block along with a tablespoon or half tablespoon of some type of seed mix- it's usually a Higgins or Vita Prima mix, but I also order the mix from Happy Hamstery online. I mix it up with those alongside the Mazuri. My first Syrian didn't forgate much and was completely a hamster of routine, so his food went right in his bowl or in a treat puzzle box that he learned to open. My current Syrian is a forager, so she gets a little mix in the bowl, but the rest is scattered.

I really appreciate you sharing food info and sources! I’m currently finding my way with a mix of Kaytee and Mazuri, but Benny has other plans. He’s been on a 'pellet strike' the past few days in favor of mealworms and green beans—he’s definitely getting a bit spoiled and picky! I’ve decided to scale back the treats to make sure he’s getting his core nutrition from his pellets first. Tough Love.

I love watching Benny forage, too. He dives into his coconut fiber dig box with his chubby, fluffy butt high in the air until his whole upper body disappears! I've stayed awake late into the night watching him -

It’s so interesting what you said about your Syrians—one being a forager and one not. I guess I assumed foraging was a universal instinct they all shared, so it’s eye-opening to learn that even those 'wild' behaviors can vary so much from one hamster to the next! I always had hamsters as a child (at one point, we had over 50!), but only one Syrian previously. I can't wait to see more of Benny's unique quirks as he settles into his new home!

 

[Hammy Chum]

Lovely system, Benjamin is a very lucky hammy Yes, Socks completely ignores sprays, doesn't even give them a sniff

Ditto Chumley, he couldn't care less for sparys! He HATES foraging. If a food item isnt placed in either of his bowls, he goes and puts it there haha. Tidy hamster!

 

[HamsterMama]

Who’s smarter? Me or Benjamin? I am trying a new "cookie" strategy to get Benjamin to eat his Healthy Pellets… but he’s not giving in easily. Check out our Cookie Caper Chronicles here (and get the "recipe" : https://www.thehamsterforum.com/threads/are-you-smarter-than-a-hamster-lets-play.2675/