Is this a good food?

[Winter white dwarf]

Right now I am feeding my Winter White hybrid a food from chubby hamster cheeks. I just came across a similar food with way lower shipping cost. I’m not an expert on food so could somebody who knows more about food tell me what they think of this food: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1599083648/
And how would it compare to this food? (The one I am feeding her now)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1187445539/

 

[Winter white dwarf]

Sorry! Links are not working. Here is link 1 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1599083648/
Link 2 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1187445539/

 

[Maz]

Hi. They both seem to rely on lentils/split peas for the protein mainly and the first one does say you might need to use lab block as well. Some of these home made mixes look and sound amazing but I sometimes think a commercial mix might be safer. I know some people in the US get the Getzoo hamster mix (possibly on Etsy?) and that is a reliable one.

It's one of the German hamster mixes from Getzoo who know what they're doing. However this link doesn't say how much protein and most Getzoo mixes are low in protein and it needs supplementing (they suggest giving insects but not all hamsters like insects!).

Getzoo Dwarf Normal hamster Food - Etsy UK

This Pet Treats item by HammypalsScrunchie has 43 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Singapore. Listed on 22 Mar, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[Maz]

I believe Getzoo ship directly to the US but I don't know how much they charge. This is the standard dwarf hamster mix that includes protein (there are two others that don't contain protein and you're supposed to add it yourself). This has about 16% protein so needs a bit of protein supplementing, but not too much.

Getzoo Dwarf Hamster Food 500g

Healthy nutrition like in nature For our Getzoo dwarf hamster food we have orientated ourselves on the extensive diet of nature. Only seeds, plant…

www.getzoo.de

I don't think you need to buy these expensive mixes to be honest. I think you'd be fine with Higgins Vita Garden and supplement the protein with fresh food or freeze dried chicken bites etc - and give some forage and other seeds as extras or treats.

 

[Winter white dwarf]

Would something like Higgins Vita Garden with boiled egg and some flax sprays be good for Willow?

 

[Daisy]

I think those mixes are probably okay (as in unlikely to cause malnutrition) but I'm never that keen on mixes that are high in raw legumes like lentils. They're not easy to digest and can even reduce the absorption of nutrients from other ingredients. I think in most cases it doesn't cause harm because a good homemade mix is usually very rich in nutrients anyway, but it's not ideal.

If you do want to try the mix, you could potentially pick out the lentils and beans and sprout them. That way they're much more nutritious. That would be a better option than Higgins Vita Garden.

 

[Maz]

I think there are two threads going on this topic I just replied to this one.

Wigi Update: diet and health

Hi friends! I swapped Wigi the hammie’s food from grainy Oxbow ( said to be gentler on the digestive system ) to the Higgins diet formula. There’s corn and seeds. Why the heck did the salesgirl tell me seeds are hard on the digestive track? His poops look better, I’d say. He had harder time...

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Maz]

I think those mixes are probably okay (as in unlikely to cause malnutrition) but I'm never that keen on mixes that are high in raw legumes like lentils. They're not easy to digest and can even reduce the absorption of nutrients from other ingredients. I think in most cases it doesn't cause harm because a good homemade mix is usually very rich in nutrients anyway, but it's not ideal.

If you do want to try the mix, you could potentially pick out the lentils and beans and sprout them. That way they're much more nutritious. That would be a better option than Higgins Vita Garden.

I said the Higgins Vita Garden might be better than one with lentils (which form the bulk of the protein it seems) but was querying the corn in it.

Either way, protein needs supplementing.

 

[MuffinTheRobo]

You definitely need some pellets from Oxbow or some other good brand.

 

[Daisy]

You definitely need some pellets from Oxbow or some other good brand.

Not necessarily. A properly balanced homemade mix already has more than enough vitamins and minerals and in terms of boosting protein, insects/animal protein or some seeds that are higher in protein are a much better choice than pellets.

 

[MuffinTheRobo]

The youtuber Victoria Rachael said the pellets are beneficial to a hamster's diet.

 

[Maz]

Oxbow pellets aren't recommended for hamsters - they are too roughage based. Maybe Victoria Rachael meant other pelleted food in addition to a muesli mix. Some people do supplement a muesli mix with a few pellets (eg science selective) to ensure the right protein levels.

 

[Daisy]

I agree that Oxbow pellets aren't really good for hamsters due to the high hay content. Science Selective pellets are a good choice if you do need to feed pellets for whatever reason (e.g soaking them for a soft food diet or digestive issues) and are also fine to include in a hamster food but it's not essential.

I don't know what Victoria Raechel's reasons for recommending pellets are but there are some people who believe it's not possible to have a balanced diet without them, which just isn't true at all. Whole ingredients are higher in nutrients than pellets.