Yes he isThis is a picture of Sprite while I was chatting to him when he was in his cage. He made me laugh earlier. He was on my lap briefly and tried to dig a tunnel through my jumper. He looked very puzzled as he was not getting anywhere. He is so cute.
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Frida
That's a beautiful photo of Sprite 
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RainbowBrite
I ordered Sprite some food from Mixarama. It looks lovely and even had marigolds which are his favourite flower. I have popped it in the freezer. I cannot wait until a weeks time when I can let him try some. 
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RainbowBrite
Yes it is. It says it is suitable for hybrids and the ingredients sound really nice.
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RainbowBrite
Sprite did not spend long in his playpen today. He does not want to dig in his dig boxes and just wants me to put seeds on the floor as it is easier to find them! 
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He's really zipping around there! The Dwarf magic food looks really nice and nice ingredients. I am tempted. The protein still needs supplementing though as it's only 15.6%. I'm using the rodipet hybrid mix at the moment, which has higher protein but less variety, although it's ok and includes artichoke. I was wondering about mixing this one with it but then I'd lower the overall protein.
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I think we all need an easy day sometimes Sprite!
He’ll love that food I’m sure.
Maz, it’s much nicer than the Rodipet food I thought, the hams really liked it when I tried it so it might be worth a go.
The protein does need supplementing but it’s surprising how little extra protein you need really.
I worked it out, based on the difference between a mix with 15% protein & one with 18% as just 0.15grams of protein that needs adding each day.
He’ll love that food I’m sure.
Maz, it’s much nicer than the Rodipet food I thought, the hams really liked it when I tried it so it might be worth a go.
The protein does need supplementing but it’s surprising how little extra protein you need really.
I worked it out, based on the difference between a mix with 15% protein & one with 18% as just 0.15grams of protein that needs adding each day.
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I know it’s equivalent to about 0.5g of chicken which is really a tiny piece, probably a good pinch of hemp seeds, nuts are heavier so it would be less than half.
I don’t have mealworms so I just weighed some calciworms which are similar & they really weigh almost nothing so it’s actually about six or them.
I don’t have mealworms so I just weighed some calciworms which are similar & they really weigh almost nothing so it’s actually about six or them.
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RainbowBrite
If the hamster has nuts and mealworms as added treats in the week that would that be enough? I never really understand about hamster food because how can you be sure they are eating all their mix? If they are not then some parts of the diet will be missing. Also, their mix does not factor in any extras.
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You can never be sure that they eat all their mix really but as long as they eat most of it & aren’t leaving a lot of one or two specific ingredients that could mean they really don’t get enough of some nutrients then that’s ok. They don’t need to have the exact amount of everything every single day, a bit of variation isn’t going to hurt.
It depends which nuts & how much, with nuts variety is key as they don’t all contain all the amino acids needed, a mealworm or two really isn’t going to make much difference really. The only problem with using nuts & mealworms is you also add a fair bit of extra fat along with the protein.
It’s so much easier if you make your own mix rather than trying to add to an existing one although I’m not suggesting making your own mix is for everyone.
It depends which nuts & how much, with nuts variety is key as they don’t all contain all the amino acids needed, a mealworm or two really isn’t going to make much difference really. The only problem with using nuts & mealworms is you also add a fair bit of extra fat along with the protein.
It’s so much easier if you make your own mix rather than trying to add to an existing one although I’m not suggesting making your own mix is for everyone.
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RainbowBrite
With making Sprite's mix I do not think he is eating it all and I hope the Mixerama mix will be healthier for him. I feed him one treat a day and rotate between a peaflake, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, small bit of walnut, pinenut, mealworm. I am keen for him not to gain any extra weight.
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Pea flakes are a good source of protein & low in fat, high in fibre too so they’re a good addition to the diet.
Mine mostly have liked soya flakes too which are another good source of extra protein, unfortunately organic ones are often out of stock everywhere & don’t come in small amounts so I just get mine from rat rations.
Mine mostly have liked soya flakes too which are another good source of extra protein, unfortunately organic ones are often out of stock everywhere & don’t come in small amounts so I just get mine from rat rations.
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RainbowBrite
I really hope I am giving Sprite the correct diet. I find hamster diet very complicated and unlike any other animal I have cared for. I thought it would be okay to feed the Mixerama mix and rotate the treats I mentioned above.
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It can seem confusing although it shouldn’t be, it’s really just because most commercial mixes are too low in protein it makes it seem complicated.
I’m sure Sprite will be fine, you could definitely give him more pea flakes though if he really likes them.
I’m sure Sprite will be fine, you could definitely give him more pea flakes though if he really likes them.
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The main thing is that their mix has the correct protein - or is supplemented to give the correct protein. If treats and extras give more protein above and beyond that, then that is ok. Except when they are over a year old and then too much protein can be not good for them as it can overload the kidneys. So after a year old, a mix with 15.6% protein would be ok - and the occasional treat that happens to be protein as well is ok, but you'd need to go easy on them.
I think as long as they get the correct levels of protein over the week, it doesn't matter if they get it every day. I know what you mean though Rainbow - if the main source of protein in a mix was, say, soya beans, and the hamster didn't eat the soya beans, they may not be getting enough protein. It is something to look out for, if they ignore a main source of protein. But then they may be getting enough anyway, from treats and extras.