III. LOW-GRADE COMMERCIAL FOODS
The foods on the following list are of lower overall desirability than the ones on the previous list. This is not to say that they are completely unsuitable. Several of the diets on this list have a lot of variety, and can be valuable if mixed with the proper high-grade foods to balance out their weaknesses. However, none of the diets on this list should ever be fed alone, or even as the majority of a mix.
All Living Things Hamster and Gerbil Daily Diet
13.5% protein
4.5% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 12 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (pumpkin seed)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Ground corn, corn, oats, wheat, milo, dehulled soybean meal, sun-cured alfalfa meal, ground wheat, sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts white millet, dehydrated carrots, dried bananas, pumpkin seed, raisins, green split peas, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, wheat middlings, salt, soy oil, dried cane molasses, ground flax seed, ground peanuts, dextrose, dl-methionine, l-lysine, vitamin A supplement, choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, wheat germ meal, algae meal, fructooligosaccharide, titanium dioxide, ferrous sulfate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin E supplement, dried beet pulp, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), yucca schidigera extract, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, niacin, copper sulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), rosemary extract, citric acid, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), calcium pantothenate, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3) pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, biotin, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite, dried bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, FD&C red #40, FD&C yellow #5, FD&C blue #1.
Nutrition - Protein is rather low at 13.5%. Fat and fiber are fine at 4.5% and 10%, respectively.
Variety – This food actually has good raw variety at 12 whole ingredients. The true variety isn’t great, however. This food is very pellet- and corn-heavy.
Quality – The overall quality is quite poor. On the positive side, this food does contain some added probiotics. It also has one unique ingredient in the form of pumpkin seed. However, this food contains a lot of filler. Not only is loose corn the very first whole ingredient, but the overall first ingredient is ground corn, meaning that the pellets are mostly corn as well. This food has two different added sugars and also contains artificial dyes.
Armstrong Milling Indoor Friends – Small Animal Mix
15% protein
4% fat
15.5% fiber
Variety – 7 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (safflower)
Probiotics – No
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Small dent corn, Alfalfa pellets, Oats, Hard Red Wheat, striped Sunflower, Safflower, White Millet, Red Millet, Milo
Nutrition – Protein is a bit low at 15%. Fat is reasonable at 4%, but fiber is a tad high at 15.5%
Variety – The variety of this food is average at 7 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is a bit questionable. It does not contain any artificial colors, added sugars, or questionable preservatives. It contains a unique ingredient in the form of safflower. This food does contain a lot of filler, as corn is the first ingredient. However, the main concern is that it does not list any added nutrients. European brands often do not list added vitamins and minerals, even if they do contain them. However, this is a Canadian brand, which generally does list added nutrients. The fact that this food doesn’t list any nutrients implies that it does not contain any, which would make it unsuitable.
Best Friend Festival
13% protein
6% fat
8.5% fiber
Variety – 15 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 6 (beans, carob, safflower, papaya, mango, rose hips)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Rodent pellets, wheat mix, alfalfa mix, oats, dari, pea chips, carrot pellets, carob, corn chips, sunflower seeds, molasses, wheat, beans, carrot, peeled peanuts, safflower seeds, papaya, mango, rose hips, banana, sugar. Additives: Vitamin mix (Vitamins A, D, E and C), minerals, E330, E320, E321, E324, E172, E131, E124.
Nutrition - Protein is too low at only 13%. Fat is reasonable at 6%, and fiber is good at 8.5%.
Variety – This mix actually does have a good amount of raw variety at 15 whole ingredients. However, given that molasses is listed before several of these, the true variety is probably more around 7 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this mix is very questionable. This food does have good variety, and a few unique ingredients (beans, carob, safflower, papaya, mango, rose hips). However, molasses is listed above not just some, but most of the whole ingredients! This can mean one of two things: (1) this mix has extremely high levels of molasses or (2) this mix has very few of the ingredients listed after molasses. Given that this food also contains sugar and has a lot of fruits in it, this is likely a very sugary mix. This food does contain artificial colors.
Brown’s Classic Encore
13.75% protein
5% fat
13% fiber
Variety – 7 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – None
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Milo, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, White Proso Millet, Oat Groats, Wheat, Stripe Sunflower Seeds, Flaked Corn, Flaked Peas, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewed Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, DL-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary and Carotene.
Nutrition – The nutrition for this food is so-so. Protein rather low at only 13.75%. Fat and fiber are fine at 5% and 13% respectively.
Variety – The raw variety of this food is average at 7 whole ingredients. The true variety is pretty decent, as this is a seedy mix.
Quality – The quality of this food is not a concern. This food contains no added sugars, artificial dyes, or risky preservatives and has added probiotics. Milo is interesting as a first ingredient; however, this food does not contain any unique ingredients.
Brown’s Encore Gourmet Foraging Feast
14% protein
13% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 15 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 6 (squash seeds, papaya, pineapple, sweet potato, safflower, pumpkin seed)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Oat groats, safflower seeds, white proso millet, wheat, black oil sunflower seeds, milo, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried papaya, dried pineapple, peanuts, flaked corn, flaked peas, dried sweet potato, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, raisins, wheat flour, ground corn, ground oats, corn gluten meal, dehulled soybean meal, soybean oil, dicalcium phosphate, brewers dried yeast, calcium carbonate, algae meal, fructooligosaccharide, l-lysine, salt, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, thiamine mononitrate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, vitamin B12 supplement, choline chloride, manganese proteinate, iron proteinate, dl-methionine, zinc proteinate, sodium selenite, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium thermophilum fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried aspergillus niger fermentation product, biotin, folic acid, lecithin, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), yucca schidigera extract, rosemary, carotene, artificial banana flavor, color added (titanium dioxide, red 40, blue 1, yellow 5, yellow 6), sulfur dioxide (a preservative)
Nutrition – The nutrition of this food is very questionable. It’s low in protein at only 14%. Fat is unbelievably high at a whopping 13%. Fiber is fine at 10%, however.
Variety – Variety is pretty good at 15 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food contains a few unique ingredients in the form of squash seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower, papaya, pineapple, and sweet potato. This food does not contain added sugars or risky preservatives, but does have artificial dyes. It also contains added probiotics.
Brown’s Fruit Bites Banquet
12% protein
5% fat
5% fiber
Variety – 13 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 3 (papaya, apricot, pineapple)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Oat groats, maize grain flaked, white proso millet, wheat, split green peas, white milo, striped sunflower seeds, dehydrated alfalfa meal, carrots, peanuts, pineapple, papaya, banana, apricots, wheat flour by-product less than 9.5%, fiber, maize grain ground, dehulled soybean meal, maize gluten meal, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, dried beet sugar molasses, yeast brewers dehydrated, salt, whey solids, vitamin A palmitate, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), alpha tocopherols (source of vitamin E), ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), thiamine mononitrate, menadione sodium bisulfate (source of vitamin K activity), biotin, choline chloride, manganese proteinate, iron proteinate, DL-methionine, zinc proteinate, sodium selenite, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus product, dried lactobacillus bulgaricus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, lecithin, natural mixed tocopherols (a preservative), yucca schidigera extract, rosemary extract, beta-carotene, titanium dioxide, orange oil, and artificial colors
Nutrition – The nutrition of this food is pretty poor. Protein is very low at only 12%. Fat is fine at 5%, but fiber is low at only 5%.
Variety – Variety is pretty decent at 13 whole ingredients
Quality - The quality of this food is not great. On the positive side, it does have unique ingredients in the form of papaya, pineapple, and apricot and contains added probiotics. This food does contain some added sugar. It also has filler in the form of maize (corn), which is very high on the ingredients list. However, most concerning is the fact that this food contains unspecified artificial dyes. Because the dyes are not named, we cannot rule out the possibility that it contains dangerous dyes. This food does have orange oil as a preservative as well, which is of questionable safety.
Brown's Tropical Carnival Gourmet Food for Hamsters and Gerbils
12.5% protein
7.5% fat
8.5% fiber
Variety – 21 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 9 (lentils, safflower, pineapple, papaya, sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, Canadian peas, pasta, squash seeds)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Oat Groats, White Proso Millet, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Wheat, Milo, Corn, Safflower Seeds, Dried Pineapple, Dried Papaya, Barley, Peanuts, Stripe Sunflower Seeds, Dried Canadian Peas, Squash Seeds, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Dried Banana, Dried Carrots, Dried Lentils, Flaked Peas, Semolina Flour, Pumpkin Seeds, Raisins, Dried Sweet Potato, Pasta Product, Wheat Middlings, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Ground Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soy Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, DL-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Yucca schidigera Extract, Rosemary, Carotene, Artificial Banana Flavor, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Red #40, Blue #1, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6), Sulfur Dioxide (a preservative).
Nutrition – Protein is rather low at only 12.5%. Fat is a little high at 7.5%, and fiber is good at 8.5%.
Variety – This food has excellent variety at 21 whole ingredients. The true variety is good as well.
Quality – This food has added probiotics, and also has several unique ingredients in the form of lentils, safflower, papaya, pineapple, sweet potato, pumpkin seeds, Canadian peas, squash seed and pasta. It does not contain any risky preservatives, but does have added sugars and artificial dyes. It also contains some filler in the form of corn, which is high on the ingredients list. This food would be an excellent variety booster, but must be very carefully mixed with a higher-protein diet. Due to how low protein is, this food is completely unsuitable if not properly supplemented.
Carefresh Complete Menu
(Note: This is the old version of this food.)
[spoiler]17% protein
3.5% fat
5 - 10% fiber
Variety – 6 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (safflower seeds)
Probiotics – No
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Whole Corn, Soybean Meal, Oat Groats, Whole Wheat, Wheat Mill Run, Ground Barley, Split Green Peas, Alfalfa Hay Sun cured , Grass Hay (Timothy, Orchard, Brome), Whole Safflower, Carrot Dried, Yeast Culture, Cane Molasses Dried, Salt, Sodium Bentonite, Sodium Phosphate, Lignin Sulfonate, Flax Seed (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Soybean Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Niacin, Selenium Yeast, Copper Sulfate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B2 Riboflavin, Vitamin B1 Thiamin Mononitrate, Magnesium Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine HCl, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide (source of Iodine).
Nutrition – The nutrition for this food is decent, and no more. Protein is reasonable at 17%, but fat is quite low at a mere 3.5%. Fiber is given as a range, so it’s difficult to say exactly how good the fiber levels are. However, they are at least reasonable.
Variety – The raw variety of this food is 6 whole ingredients, which is pretty poor to begin with. The true variety is even worse. Most of the whole ingredients are present in such small quantities in the actual mix that this food is basically a pellet-only diet. This food cannot be fed alone due to its lack of variety.
Quality – On the positive side, this food does not contain any dyes or risky preservatives. It also contains a unique ingredient in the form of safflower. However, most of the variety in this food (by abundance) comes from corn, so there is quite a lot of filler present. This food does contain added sugars as well.[/spoiler]
Carefresh Complete Farmer’s Garden
(Note: This is the new version of this food.)
17% protein
3.5% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 11 whole ingredients (in truth, only 2 in significant quantities)
Unique Ingredients – 7 (cranberry, celery, flaxseed, apple, sweet potato, papaya, carrot)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, ground corn, alfalfa meal, whole peas, whole corn, soy hulls (not more than 5%), ground wheat, cane molasses, calcium carbonate, vegetable oil, flaxseed, apple chunks dehydrated, banana chunks dehydrated, carrots chunks dehydrated, sweet potato dehydrated, papaya dehydrated, soybean oil, lignin sulfonate, salt, zucchini dehydrated, cranberry dehydrated, celery flakes dehydrated, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, vitamin E supplement, selenium yeast, ferrous sulfate, niacin, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, choline chloride, sodium selenite, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, calcium, rice bran, cobalt sulfate, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, yeast culture, propionic acid (a preservative), ascorbic acid, diatomaceous earth, L-lysine, DL-methionine, dried yucca schidigera powder
Nutrition – Protein is at a good level at 17%. Fat is low at only 3.5%, and fiber is on-target at 10%.
Variety – This food appears to have good variety based on the number of whole ingredients. However, it should be noted that nearly all of the whole ingredients are listed after cane molasses, vegetable oil, and the mineral calcium carbonate. What this means is that these whole ingredients are found in very minuscule quantities. Functionally speaking, the only whole ingredients found in notable quantities are corn and peas. This food is mostly pellets, and actually has very poor true variety.
Quality – This food contains quite a few unique ingredients...however, as stated earlier, these ingredients are a very tiny part of the mix, so realistically, they don't count for much at all. This food lacks risky preservatives and added dyes, and has added probiotics. Its pellets contain ground corn which is filler. This food also contains added sugar in the form of cane molasses.
Country Wide Hamster and Gerbil Mix
13.5% protein
8% fat
6.5% fiber
Variety – 7 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (locust beans)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Micronised cooked Wheat, Micronised cooked Barley, Whole wheat, whole barley, Flaked Peas, Flaked Maize, Locust Beans, Sunflower Seeds, Extruded Wheat Discs, Peanuts, Pellets, Permitted EEC Colourants
Nutrition – Protein is low at 13.5%. Fat is a little high at 8%, and fiber is a bit low at 6.5%.
Variety – Variety is average at 7 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is difficult to assess. It does contain locust beans, which are a unique ingredient. It does not appear to contain added sugars or risky preservatives, but it is difficult to tell for sure due to varying labeling laws. This food does contain unspecified artificial dyes.
Drs. Foster and Smith Signature Series Hamster Food
13% protein
4% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 2 (carob, papaya)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Timothy Grass Hay, Soybean Hulls, Wheat, Ground Corn, Milo, Whole Corn, Sunflower Seed, Steel-Cut Corn, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Carob Pods, Flaked Wheat, Split Green Peas, Flaked Peas, Peanuts, Wheat Middlings, Steam-Rolled Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Wheat, Yeast Culture, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Dehydrated Papaya, Ground Flax Seed, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Ground Carrots, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Ground Oat Groats, Salt, L-Lysine, Vegetable Oil, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Algae Meal, Ground Steam-Rolled Oats, DL-Methionine, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, Yucca schidigera Extract, Fructooligosaccharide, Ground Papaya, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, and Color Added (Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40, Titanium Dioxide).
Nutrition - Protein is quite low at only 13%. Fat and fiber are within range at 4% and 10% respectively.
Variety - Variety is average at 9 whole ingredients.
Quality - This food contains a few unique ingredients in the form of carob and papaya. It does have added probiotics, and lacks any risky preservatives. However, it does contain added sugar and artificial dyes. This food does contain filler in the form of corn, which is high on the ingredients list. The pellets in in this food contain a bit of filler, as ground corn is a major ingredient.
Harry Hamster
(Note: This is different from its US equivalent Hazel Hamster. This is a possible new version of this food. It is unclear at this time if this version actually exists, or is a typo on the Supreme and Pets At Home websites.)
14% protein
2.5% fat
14% fiber
Variety – 5 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (locust beans)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Alfalfa, flaked peas, straw, flaked maize, oats, wheat, flaked wheat, extruded locust beans, anise and fenugreek oil, soya oil, minerals, salt, colourants.
Nutrition – The nutrition of this food is extremely poor. Protein is too low at only 14%, and fat is abysmally low at 2.5%. This food is a good source of fiber at 14%.
Variety – Variety is quite poor at only 5 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is fairly poor. It does contain a unique ingredient in the form of locust beans. It contains filler in the form of corn and straw, which are both high on the ingredients list. This food contains no added sugars or risky preservatives, but it does have unspecified dyes.
Hartz Bonanza Hamster and Gerbil Diet
12.5% protein
5.5% fat
11% fiber
Variety – 15 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 4 (papaya, navy bean, pumpkin seeds, soybeans)
Probiotics – No
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Wheat middlings, whole wheat, whole corn, ground corn, dehydrated alfalfa meal, red milo, cracked corn, white millet, green split peas, oat groats, black oil sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, soybean hulls, soy flour, striped sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts, toasted corn flakes, soybean oil, roasted soybeans, dehulled soybean meal, dried bananas, corn gluten meal, rolled oats, raisins, calcium carbonate, beet molasses, dried papaya, dried carrots, navy beans, cane molasses, dicalcium phosphate, wheat flour, dried whey, choline chloride, salt, brewers dried yeast, mineral oil, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, Vitamin E supplement, potassium chloride, L-lysine, ferrous sulfate, kaolin, magnesium oxide, calcium propionate (a preservative), color added (Yellow #5, Blue #1, Yellow #6, titanium dioxide, Red #40, Red #3), corn distillers dried grains, sodium selenite, DL-methionine, niacin supplement, copper sulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, zinc oxide, calcium pantothenate, manganous oxide, Vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, manganese sulfate, rice hulls, biotin, zinc sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, propionic acid (a preservative), folic acid, Yucca Schidigera extract, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), cobalt carbonate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, silicon dioxide, Vitamin D3 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, citric acid (a preservative), vegetable oil, rosemary extract, sodium selenate, calcium iodate.
Nutrition - This food’s protein is a very low at only 12.5%, but the nutrition is otherwise decent with 5.5% fat and 11% fiber.
Variety - Variety for this food is quite good at 15 whole ingredients.
Quality – The major problem with this food is its very low quality. It does have some good points, as it has unique ingredients in the form of papaya, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, and navy beans. However, molasses is found prior to several of the whole ingredients, indicating a high level of sugar and/or less variety than what is implied. There is also a second type of molasses listed shortly after the first. This food does contain filler in the form of corn, which is both very high on the ingredients list and split. The pellets also contain ground corn, which is filler. The dyes in this food are concerning. Red 3 is considered a risky dye. Not only that, but the dyes are in the middle of the ingredients list, as opposed to at the end, indicating a very high level of dye.
Hartz Small Animal Diet for Hamsters, Gerbils, Mice, and Rats
15% protein
5% fat
7% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 2 (Canadian trapper peas, squash seed)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Red milo, whole wheat, wheat middlings, whole corn, dehydrated alfalfa meal, black oil sunflower seeds, dehulled soybean meal, Canadian trapper peas, toasted corn flakes, yellow split peas, shelled peanuts, striped sunflower seeds, soybean hulls, ground corn, calcium carbonate, squash seed, corn gluten meal, beet molasses, soybean oil, dicalcium phosphate, vegetable oil, salt, oat groats, mineral oil, potassium chloride, lignin sulfonate, l-lysine, choline chloride, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, dl-methionine, vitamin E supplement, propionic acid (a preservative), saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture, rice hulls, sodium selenite, ferrous sulfate, vitamin A supplement, natural and artificial apple flavor, yucca schidigera extract, color added (yellow #5, yellow #6), zinc oxide, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, vitamin D supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, magnesium oxide, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, biotin, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite
Nutrition – Protein is a bit low at 15%. Fat is fine at 5%, and fiber is a little low at 7%
Variety – Variety is average at 9 whole ingredients. However, it should be noted that one whole ingredient is found after molasses and salt.
Quality – This food’s quality is fairly low. It does not contain any risky preservatives, and does have an added probiotic. It also two unique ingredients in the form of trapper peas and squash seed. Having milo as the first ingredient is unique itself. This food does contain added sugar. It also contains artificial dyes, which are found around the middle of the ingredients list (as opposed to at the end). This could indicate unusually high levels of dye. This food does contain filler in the form of corn, which is both very high on the ingredients list and split. The pellets in this food contain ground corn, which is filler.
Hazel Hamster
(Note: This is the new packaging of Hazel Hamster, sold under the Tiny Friends Farm label. Its labeling has been changed to reflect US law - the food does not contain a minimum of 18% protein, and therefore cannot be legally labeled as 18% protein. This is, however, the same as the UK food Harry Hamster.)
Variety – 8 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 3 (pumpkin seeds, soybeans, locust beans)
Probiotics – No
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
16% protein
4% fat
8% fiber
Ground wheat, toasted wheat, flaked peas, soybean meal, whole corn, flaked whole corn, sunflower seeds, flaked soybeans, dehydrated alfalfa meal, peanut kernels, soybean oil, peanuts in shells, pumpkin seeds, soybean hulls, wheat middlings, extruded locust beans, calcium carbonate, vitamin A supplement, cholecalciferol (source of Vitamin D3), vitamin E supplement, zinc oxide, choline chloride, niacin supplement, manganese oxide, d-calcium pantothenate, iron sulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1), folic acid, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, biotin, sodium selenite, vitamin B12 supplement, color added yellow 6, yellow 5, blue 1
Nutrition –Protein is slightly low at only 16%. Fat is still okay at 4%, and fiber is fine at 8%.
Variety – The raw variety of this food is 8 whole ingredients, which is about average. The true variety is rather low, however. Several of the ingredients (locust beans, pumpkin seeds, soybeans) are found in very small quantities. This food is, by far and large, mostly pellets, peas, and corn.
Quality – This food does not contain added sugars or risky preservatives. It also contains unique ingredients in the form of locust beans, flaked soybeans, and pumpkin seeds. However, it has a lot of filler in the form of corn, which is both high on the ingredients list and split. It does also contain artificial dyes.
JR Farm Adult Hamster Food
(Thank you Emma&Chester for updated information!)
11.4% protein
5.8% fat
5.7% fiber
Variety – 18 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 11 (canary grass seed, linseed, mealworms, spelt, plantain, beets, rice, parsnips, peppers, zucchini, and cucumber)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Corn, wheat, red millet, corn flakes, pea flakes, oats, carrots, wheat ears 5%, bananas, wheat flakes, red millet, yellow millet, canary grass seed, extruded maize flour, meal worms 1.6%, linseed, spelt, plantain, chicken, beets, beef, rice flakes, parsnips 0.6%, cheese, fish, peppers, zucchini, cucumber.
Nutrition – Protein is extremely low at only 11.4%. Fat is fine at 5.8%. Fiber is low at 5.7%.
Variety – This food has excellent variety at 18 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is difficult to assess due to varying labeling laws. This food has quite a few unique ingredients (canary grass seed, mealworms, spelt, plantain, beets, rice, linseed, parsnips, peppers, zucchini, and cucumber). It also contains several sources of animal protein. This food does not contain any artificial dyes or risky preservatives, as per the label on the bag. It does contain probiotics, though they are not explicitly listed in the ingredients. It does not appear to contain any added sugars, however, it is hard to tell due to varying labeling laws. This food does contain a lot of filler in the form of corn. Not only is corn first on the ingredients list, but it’s split as well.
JR Farm Hamster Feast
(Thank you Emma&Chester for updated information!)
12.9% protein
3.1% fat
6.2% fiber
Variety – 11 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 4 (buckwheat, mung beans, shrimp, canary seed)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
extruded corn flour , wheat , corn , oats, red millet, yellow millet, puffed wheat , dari , carrot, canary seed 3 % , buckwheat, sorghum , mung beans , chicken, beef , shrimp 1 % , cheese, fish
Nutrition - Protein is rather low at only 12.9%. Fat and fiber are both on the low side as well, at 3.1% and 6.2% respectively.
Variety - Variety is pretty good at 11 whole ingredients.
Quality - This does have some unique ingredients in the form of buckwheat, canary seed, mung beans, shrimp, and the various protein sources. This food does not contain any artificial colors or risky preservatives, as per the packaging. It also contains probiotics, though they are not listed in the ingredients. This food does not appear to contain any added sugars, but it is difficult to know for sure due to varying labeling laws. This food does contain a large amount of filler in the form of corn. Corn flour is the first ingredient, which means that the pellets are primarily corn. In addition, loose corn is very high on the ingredients list.
JR Farm Dwarf Hamster Feast
(Thank you Emma&Chester for updated information!)
15.2% protein
8% fat
7.6% fiber
Variety – 12 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 5 (canary seed, flaxseed, mung beans, rice, shrimp)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Extruded corn flour, yellow millet, red millet, corn, oats, wheat, flax seed, rice 4.8%, peanuts, wheat flakes, mung beans, popped wheat, canary seed, Dari, shrimp 2%, chicken, beef, oats, fish.
Nutrition – Protein is a little low at 15.2%. Fat is a little high at 8%, and fiber is good at 7.6%.
Variety – Variety is pretty good at 12 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food has several unique ingredients in the form of canary seed, mung beans, flaxseed, shrimp, and rice. It is also unique in having several sources of animal protein. This food does not contain any artificial dyes or risky preservatives, as per the label. It does contain added probiotics, though they are not listed on the ingredients list. It does not appear to contain any added sugars, but due to varying labeling laws, it is difficult to tell for sure. This food does contain a large amount of filler in the form of corn. Corn flour is the first ingredient, which means that the pellets are primarily corn. In addition, loose corn is very high on the ingredients list.
Kaytee Chunky Gourmet Diet (Fiesta Chunky)
13.5% protein
6% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 15 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 3 (apples, sweet potato, pumpkin seeds)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Corn, Oats, Wheat, Ground Corn, Milo, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Sunflower Seed, Millet, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Ground Oats, Green Split Peas, Oat Groats, Ground Wheat, Peanuts, Dehydrated Carrots, Dried Bananas, Pumpkin Seed, Barley, Raisins, Oat Hulls, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dehydrated Apples, Soy Oil, Salt, Dried Cane Molasses, Ground Flax Seed, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Wheat Germ Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Algae Meal (source of Omega-3 DHA), Fructooligosaccharide, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Yeast Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1
Nutrition – Protein is extremely low at only 13.5%. Fat and fiber are within range at 6% and 10%, respectively.
Variety – This food actually has decent variety at 15 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food does have unique ingredients in the form of apples, pumpkin seeds, and sweet potato. It does not contain any risky preservatives. It also contains added probiotics. However, this food does have added sugars and artificial dyes. This food contains a large amount of filler in the form of corn. Loose corn is the very first ingredient. In addition, ground corn is the first pellet ingredient, meaning that the pellets are mostly corn. The pellets also contain oat hulls, which are another filler.
Kaytee Fiesta Max Hamster/Gerbil
13% protein
6% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 19 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 7 (apples, sweet potatoes, papaya, safflower, Canadian peas, sesame, pumpkin seeds)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Corn, Oats, Wheat, Milo, Sunflower, Millet, Green Split Peas, Oat Groats, Shelled Peanuts, Ground Wheat, Ground Corn, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Pumpkin Seed, Barley, Raisins, Dehydrated Carrots, Dried Bananas, Safflower, Canadian Field Peas, Ground Flax Seed, Ground Oats, Dried Papaya, Ground Rice, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dehydrated Apples, Rice Flour, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Soy Oil, Algae Meal (source of Omega-3 DHA), Fructooligosaccharide, Cracked Corn, Hulled Millet, Dried Cane Molasses, Yeast Extract, Sesame Seed, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Gelatin, Honey, Dextrose, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Artificial Colour.
Nutrition - Protein is quite low at only 13%. Fat and fiber are at good levels at 6% and 10, respectively.
Variety – This food does have excellent raw variety at 19 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food contains added probiotics, and a unique ingredient in the form of apples, sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, papaya, Canadian peas, sesame and safflower. However, one problem with this food is that it contains a lot of sugar. Not only does it have a lot of fruit, but it has 3 different sugar ingredients (molasses, honey, and dextrose). It does contain unspecified artificial colors. This food does contain filler in the form of corn, which is first on the ingredients list.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Nature’s Harvest
(Note: This food is identical to Kaytee Premium Fiber Diet. This is not an error in the list—the two foods really are the same.)
12% protein
4% fat
18% fiber
Variety – 8 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – None
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Sun-Cured Timothy Grass Hay, Corn, Sunflower, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Wheat, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Rolled Oats, Oat Hulls, Dried Bananas, Ground Oats, Spray Millet Pieces, Popped Milo, Green Split Peas, Dried Cane Molasses, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Soy Oil, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Copper Sulfate, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol (source of Vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract (source of Protease), Dried Bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, dried bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product.
Nutrition – Protein is very low at only 12%. Fat is good at 4%. Fiber is debatably too high in this food at a whopping 18%.
Variety – The raw variety of this food is average at 8 whole ingredients. True variety is a bit low, as this is a pellet-heavy mix.
Quality – This food does not contain any risky preservatives or artificial dyes and has added probiotics. This food contains added sugars. It also has a lot of filler in the form of corn, which is very high on the ingredients list. This food’s pellets contain both ground corn and oat hulls, which are fillers. This food also lacks any unique ingredients.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Hamster and Gerbil Food (Mix)
13.5% protein
6% fat
11% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (Canadian field peas)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Corn, Wheat, Milo, Sunflower, Millet, Oat Groats, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Corn, Toasted Corn Flakes, Shelled Peanuts, Toasted Wheat Flakes, Ground Flax Seed, Canadian Field Peas, Green Split Peas, Ground Oats, Ground Wheat, Ground Rice, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Cane Molasses, Salt, Soy Oil, Whole Cell Algae Meal (source of Omega-3 DHA), Fructooligosaccharide, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Yeast Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Artificial Color.
Nutrition - Protein is quite low at only 13.5%. Fat is at a good level at 6%, and fiber is quite good at 11%.
Variety – Raw variety is about average, with 9 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food has some quality issues. On the positive side, this food does contain added probiotics. It also contains Canadian field peas as a unique ingredient. However, this food does contain a lot of filler. Corn is not only the very first ingredient, but is also split. This food has added sugar. This food also contains unspecified artificial dyes, which is problematic, because we can’t know whether or not it contains any of the more risky dyes.
Kaytee Gourmet Variety Diet (Fiesta)
13.5% protein
6% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 18 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 6 (apples, Canadian field peas, safflower, sweet potato, papaya, pumpkin seeds)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Corn, oats, wheat, milo, sunflower, white millet, ground corn, dehulled soybean meal, sun-cured alfalfa meal, green split peas, oat groats, shelled peanuts, ground wheat, barley, ground oats, pumpkin seed, raisins, dehydrated carrots, dried bananas, safflower seed, Canadian field peas, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, ground rice, dried papaya, dehydrated sweet potatoes, wheat middlings, ground flax seed, dehydrated apples, dried cane molasses, salt, soy oil, algae meal (source of DHA), Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, choline chloride, yeast extract, wheat germ meal, brewers dried yeast, titanium dioxide, ferrous sulfate, Yucca Schidigera extract, mixed tocopherols (preservative), riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, niacin, copper sulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), rosemary extract, citric acid, calcium pantothenate, cholecalciferol (source of Vitamin D3), pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, biotin, beta-carotene, sodium selenite, dried Bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #3.
Nutrition – Protein is low at 13.5%. Fat is fine at 6%, and fiber is good at 10%.
Variety – This food has great variety at 18 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is mixed. It has good variety with some unique ingredients as well (safflower, sweet potato, papaya, apples, Canadian field peas, and pumpkin seeds). It also contains added probiotics. However, it does contain added sugars. It also has a high level of filler in the form of corn. Loose corn is the very first ingredient. In addition, ground corn is the first pellet ingredient, meaning that the pellets are primarily corn. This food also contains artificial dyes, which include Red 3, a risky dye.
Kaytee Healthy Support Diet (Forti Diet Pro-Health) – Mix
13% protein
6% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (Canadian field peas)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Corn, wheat, milo, sunflower seed, ground corn, millet, oat groats, sun-cured alfalfa meal, dehulled soybean meal, shelled peanuts, Canadian field peas, ground wheat, ground oats, green split peas, ground rice, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, dried cane molasses, ground flax seed, algae meal (source of DHA), soy oil, fructooligosaccharide, DL-methionine, L-lysine, yeast extract, Yucca Schidigera extract, Vitamin A supplement, choline chloride, mixed tocopherols (preservative), ferrous sulfate, manganous oxide, riboflavin supplement, zinc oxide, Vitamin B12 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, niacin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), rosemary extract, citric acid, cholecalciferol (source of Vitamin D3), copper sulfate, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, calcium iodate, biotin, folic acid, dried Bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, Cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #3.
Nutrition – Protein is too low at only 13%. Fat and fiber are fine at 6% and 10%, respectively.
Variety – Raw variety is fairly average at 9 whole ingredients. True variety is fine, as this is a seedy mix.
Quality – The quality of this food is sub-par. One positive point is that it does contain added probiotics. It does contain a unique ingredient in the form of Canadian field peas. This food does contain filler in the form of corn. Not only is loose corn the first ingredient, but also ground corn is the first pellet ingredient, meaning that the pellets are mostly corn. This food does have added sugars and artificial colors. In addition, this food does contain Red 3, which is considered a risky dye.
Kaytee Premium Fiber Diet
12% protein
4% fat
18% fiber
Variety – 8 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – None
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Sun-Cured Timothy Grass Hay, Corn, Sunflower, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Wheat, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Rolled Oats, Oat Hulls, Dried Bananas, Ground Oats, Spray Millet Pieces, Popped Milo, Green Split Peas, Dried Cane Molasses, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Soy Oil, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Copper Sulfate, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol (source of Vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract (source of Protease), Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product.
Nutrition – Protein is very low at only 12%. Fat is good at 4%. Fiber is debatably too high in this food at a whopping 18%.
Variety – The raw variety of this food is average at 8 whole ingredients. True variety is a bit low, as this is a pellet-heavy mix.
Quality – This food does not contain any risky preservatives or artificial dyes, and also has added probiotics. However, it does have added sugar. This food also contains a lot of filler in the form of corn, which is first on the ingredients list. This food’s pellets contain both ground corn and oat hulls, which are fillers. This food does not contain any unique ingredients.
Kaytee Supreme Hamster and Gerbil
13% protein
4% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 5 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – None
Probiotics – No
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Rolled Corn, Rolled Oat Groats, Rolled Barley, Sunflower seed, Soybean Meal, Peanuts, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Wheat Middlings, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Ground Oat Hulls, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Meal, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Lignin Sulfonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, DL-Methionine, Iron Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Soy Oil, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite.
Nutrition - Protein is quite low at 13%. Fat is fine at 4%, and fiber is good at 10%
Variety – Raw variety is rather low at only 5 whole ingredients. True variety is okay, as this mix is very seedy.
Quality – This food does not contain any artificial dyes or risky preservatives. However, it does contain some filler in the form of corn, which is the first ingredient. This food’s pellets contain both ground corn and oat hulls, which are filler. This food does not contain any unique ingredients. It also contains added sugar.
Kaytee Supreme Daily Blend Hamster and Gerbil Mix
14% protein
4% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 5 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – None
Probiotics – No
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Rolled Corn, Rolled Oat Groats, Rolled Barley, Sunflower, Soybean Meal, Peanuts, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Wheat Middlings, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Meal, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Lignin Sulfonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, DL-Methionine, Iron Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Soy Oil, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite.
Nutrition - This food lacks protein at only 14%. Fat and fiber levels are fine at 4% and 10% respectively.
Variety – Variety is quite low at only 5 ingredients.
Quality – This food does not contain any risky preservatives or artificial dyes. However, corn is the first ingredient, indicating a high level of filler. This food also contains added sugar in the form of molasses. This food does not contain any unique ingredients.
Living World Classic Hamster Food
12% protein
5.5% fat
8% fiber
Variety – 12 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 2 (safflower, papaya)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Yes
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Wheat, white millet, corn, red milo, wheat shorts, oat groats, dehydrated alfalfa meal, wheat middlings, black oil sunflower seed, dried green split peas, ground wheat, dried banana, soybean meal, safflower seed, dried papaya, dehulled peanuts, dried carrot flakes, dried carrot, calcium carbonate, corn gluten meal, dried beet pulp, orange oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), salt, cane molasses, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), vitamin D3 supplement), minerals (cobalt sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, sodium selenite, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate), magnesium oxide, lignin sulfonate, dicalcium phosphate, DL-methionine, calcium propionate (preservative), sorbic acid (preservative), choline chloride, artificial colors (Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 6, Titanium Dioxide).
Nutrition – Protein is extremely low at only 12%. Fat and fiber are at good levels at 5.5% fat and 8% fiber.
Variety – The variety of this food is actually pretty good at 12 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food has some quality problems. One the plus side, it does contain safflower seeds and papaya, which are unique ingredients. However, it does have some added sugars. This food also contains filler in the form of corn, which is high on the ingredients list. More concerning is the fact that it has Green 3, which is considered a risky dye. This food also contains orange oil (a preservative) rather high up on the ingredients list, which is potentially concerning, as the safety of orange oil is not well-understood at this time.
Living World Extrusion Pellets
15% protein
3.5% fat
4.5% fiber
Unique Base Ingredients – None
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Ground corn, soybean meal, ground wheat, wheat middlings, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried beet pulp, corn gluten meal, ground dehulled peanuts, yeast culture, salt, lecithin, sugar, choline chloride, DL-methionine, L-lysine, yeast extract, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, yucca schidigera extract, d-calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium iodate, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, cobalt carbonate, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin.
Nutrition – This food has poor nutrition, as it does not reach any nutritional benchmarks. Protein is a bit low at 15%, fat is a little low at 3.5%, and fiber is quite low at only 4.5%.
Variety – N/A (this is a pelleted food)
Quality –The quality of this food is unremarkable. It does not contain any risky preservatives or artificial dyes, but does contain pure sugar as an additive. In addition, corn is the first ingredient, meaning that the pellets are corn-based.
LM Animal Farms Bonanza Gourmet Diet Hamster and Gerbil
12% protein
5.5% fat
8.5% fiber
Variety – 17 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 6 (navy beans, papaya, safflower seed, Canadian trapper peas, almonds, pumpkin seeds)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Whole corn, wheat middlings, oat groats, whole wheat, ground corn, red milo, white millet, green split peas, dehydrated alfalfa meal, striped sunflower seeds, black oil sunflower seeds, Canadian trapper peas, dehulled soybean meal, soy flour, soybean hulls, toasted corn flakes, safflower seeds, raisins, corn gluten meal, shelled peanuts, navy beans, soybean oil, pumpkin seeds, calcium carbonate, dried carrots, dicalcium phosphate, beet molasses, rolled oats, cane molasses, salt, dried bananas, dried papaya, chipped shelled almonds, wheat flour, dried whey, brewers dried yeast, choline chloride, mineral oil, potassium chloride,, l-lysine,, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, corn distillers dried grains, vitamin E supplement, dl-methionine, ferrous sulfate, magnesium oxide, kaolin, color added (yellow #5, yellow #6 lake, blue #1, titanium dioxide, red #40, red #3), rice hulls, sodium selenite, copper sulfate, calcium propionate (a preservative), niacin supplement, menadione sodium bisulfate complex, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, calcium pantothenate, propionic acid (a preservative), vitamin B12 supplement, manganese sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, zinc sulfate, yucca schidigera extract, biotin, vitamin A supplement, mixed tocopherols (a preservative), silicon dioxide, citric acid (a preservative), riboflavin supplement, folic acid, vegetable oil, rosemary extract, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cobalt carbonate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, sodium selenite, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate
Nutrition - The protein content of this mix is very low at only 12%. Fat and fiber are fine at 5.5% and 8.5%, respectively.
Variety – This food actually has quite a bit of raw variety at 17 whole ingredients. True variety isn’t terrible, though this mix does appear to be slightly pellet-heavy.
Quality - The reason this food is considered low-grade is that it has several very pressing quality issues. On the positive side, it does contain some unique ingredients in the form of navy beans, trapper peas, papaya, safflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and almonds. However, this food does contain a lot of filler. Corn is not only the first ingredient, but is split as well. This food’s pellets contain ground corn, which is filler. There are two types of molasses listed prior to several whole ingredients, indicating either a high level of molasses or less variety than what the ingredients list implies. Artificial dyes are an issue in this food. First, this food does contain Red #3, which is considered a risky dye. Also, the dyes are listed in the middle of the ingredients list instead of at the end, indicating higher levels.
Nature’s Feast Hamster, Mouse & Gerbil Food
16% protein
7% fat
7% fiber
Variety – 8 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 3 (pumpkin seeds, locust beans, flaked soya)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Possible
Pellet (Wheatfeed, Grass Pellet, Oats, Soya Beans, Whole Sunflower Seeds, Sugar Beet, Di-calcium Phosphate, Salt, Molasses, Vitamins and Minerals, Soya Oil), Extruded Wheat (Wheat, Wheatfeed, Maize, Soya Oil), Flaked Peas, Flaked Maize, Flaked Wheat, Wheat, Maize, Barley, Flaked Soya, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Locust Beans
Nutrition – Protein is a little low at 16%. Fat is reasonable at 7%, and fiber is fine at 7%.
Variety – Variety is average with 8 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is quite poor. On the positive side, it contains unique ingredients in the form of locust beans, flaked soya and pumpkin seeds. It does contain added sugars. This food has colored pellets in it, but the source of the colors is unclear. This food does contain filler in the form of corn, which is not only very high on the ingredients list, but split as well. This food does not appear to contain any risky preservatives, but it is difficult to tell for sure due to varying labeling laws.
Oxbow Healthy Handfuls
15% protein
4.5% fat
10% - 15% fiber
Unique Base Ingredients – 2 (timothy hay, barley)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Timothy Meal, Pearled Barley (Rolled), Oat Groats, Flax Seed Meal, Canola Meal, Canola Oil, Wheat Gluten, Millet, Limestone, Flax Seed, Salt, Yeast Culture (dehydrated), Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Selenium Yeast, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Biotin, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Rosemary Extract
Nutrition – Nutrition isn’t the greatest. This is one of the few lab blocks that cannot be used as a protein boost, due to it only being 15% protein. Fat is perfectly reasonable at 4.5%. However, it does have good fiber content.
Quality – The quality of this food isn't bad - is primarily hay-based, and lacks any corn or other fillers. It contains no artificial dyes, added sugars, or risky preservatives. It does contain probiotics in the form of yeast. However, the overall reason that it is considered low-grade is that it simply cannot serve as a staple in a hamster's diet. It would need to be heavily supplemented by both a high-protein block food (due to its lack of protein) and a seed mix (due to its lack of variety). In essence, it becomes functionally useless.
Premium Hamster Muesli by Pets at Home
16% protein
7% fat
8% fiber
Variety – 6 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – None
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Possible
Flaked peas, rabbit pellets (oat feed, Wheat feed, Sunflower, Grass, molasses, Vegetable fat), extruded biscuits (Wheat, Oat feed, Non GM Soya), Flaked maize, toasted wheat flakes, wheat, Sunflower seeds, Peanuts, Poultry fat, Banana Flakes (min 1%), Minerals & vitamins.
Nutrition – The protein content of this food is a little on the low side at 16%. Fat is fine at 7% and fiber is good at 8%.
Variety – This food has average variety at 6 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is difficult to assess due to varying labeling laws. It does have colored pieces in it (based on visual inspection), though the source of the colors is not listed in the ingredients. It also contains added sugars. This food does not appear to have any risky preservatives, but due to varying labeling laws, it is difficult to know for sure. This food does not contain any unique ingredients. It also contains filler in the form of corn, which is very high on the ingredients list.
Purina Garden Recipe
16% protein
4.5% fat
10% fiber
Variety – 11 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 3 (papaya, safflower, pumpkin seeds)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Yes
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Dehulled Soybean Meal, Whole Red Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Whole Milo, Whole Millet, Rolled Barley, Whole Corn, Whole Oats, Striped Sunflower Seeds, Ground Sun-Cured Timothy Hay, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Corn, Pumpkin Seed, Cane Molasses, Dried Papaya, Safflower Seeds, Green Split Peas, Salt, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Wheat, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, DL-Methionine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, L-Lysine, Calcium Lignin Sulfonate, Carrot Powder, Sucrose, Choline Chloride, Ferric Oxide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K), Soy Oil, Biotin, DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Acetate, Niacin, Active Dried Yeast, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Cobalt Carbonate, Manganese Sulfate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Copper Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Mineral Oil, Natural and Artificial Colors (Yellow #5, Blue #1, Red #3, Red #40, Yellow #6), BHA, Citric Acid.
Nutrition – Protein is lacking slightly at 16%. Fat is fine at 4.5% and fiber is good at 10%.
Variety – The raw variety of this food is 11 whole ingredients, which is fairly good. The true variety of this food is not the greatest—it’s pretty pellet-heavy.
Quality – This food is rather low in quality. On the plus side, it has added probiotics and has unique ingredients in the form of papaya, pumpkin seeds, and safflower. However, it contains cane molasses listed before several whole ingredients, which indicates a high level of sugar and/or a lower variety than what is implied. It also has another sugar (sucrose) later on in the list. This food does have filler in the form of corn, which is why on the ingredients list. This food also contains Red 3, which is considered to be a more dangerous dye. In addition, this food contains BHA, which is a questionable preservative.
Royal Cuisine Small Animal Mix
13% protein
7% fat
7% fiber
Variety – 8 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (safflower)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Yes
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Corn, oats, pellets may contain: (Wheat bi-products, alfalfa meal, wheat, Soya meal, Soya hulls, corn gluten, salt, limestone, dicalcium phosphate, vitamins and trace mineral, mold zap, methionine, chlorine chloride, selenium, pellet binder) wheat, grey striped sunflower, color pellets may contain: (Ground corn, soybean meal, cracked wheat, wheat germ meal, vegetable oil sucrose, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, iodized salt, DL-methionine, chlorine chloride, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), natural mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, citric acid, natural and artificial colors, artificial flavors, zinc oxide, copper sulphate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, vitamin A supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin K supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine, niacin, pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin) white millet, red millet, milo, peanuts, color oat groats, safflower, mineral oil, artificial flavors.
Nutrition – Protein is quite low at only 13%. Fat is acceptable at 7%, and fiber is a little low, though reasonable, at 7%.
Variety - The variety of this food is average at 8 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is rather poor. It does have one unique ingredient in the form of safflower. However, it contains unspecified artificial dyes and has added sugars. It contains filler in the form of corn, which is first on the ingredients list. This food’s pellets contain ground corn which is filler. This food has a questionable preservative—it contains an ingredient called “Mold Zap,” which is an acidic mold ant. Its safety is not well-understood at this time.
Sun Seed Sunscription Vita Prima Hamster and Gerbil Formula
12% protein
4% fat
14% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 1 (niger seed)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
White Millet, Wheat, Milo, Whole Corn, Sunflower Seed, Oats, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Wheat Middlings, Soybean Hulls, Peanuts, Kibbled Corn, Flaked Wheat, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Dried Egg Product, Corn Gluten Meal, Split Green Peas, Ground Corn, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Flax Seed, Corn Distillers Dried Grain, Ground Oat Groats, Ground Wheat, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, Vegetable Oil, Niger Seed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Potassium Iodide, Biotin, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Cobalt Sulfate, DL-Methionine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Sodium Selenite, Sugar, Honey, Dried Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Product, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, Dried Trichoderma Viride Fermentation Product, Color Added.
Nutrition – Protein is extremely low at only 12%. Fat is good at 4%. Fiber is at a good level at 14%.
Variety – The raw variety of this food is average, at 9 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food does contain added probiotics, and has a unique ingredient in the form of Niger seed. This food contains filler in the form of corn, which is not only high on the ingredient list, but split as well. This food’s pellets contain ground corn which is filler. It also contains added sugars, but it’s worth noting that they are very low in the ingredients list, so are not really a problem. This food does contain unspecified dyes, which are concerning because we have no way of knowing if any risky dyes are used.
Sunseed Sunscription Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Formula
13% protein
4% fat
12% fiber
Variety – 13 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 4 (cabbage, lentils, potato, soybeans)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Oats, wheat, steam-rolled barley, milo, dehydrated alfalfa meal, soybean hulls, white millet, steel cut corn, steam-rolled oats, dehulled soybeans, wheat middlings, flaked corn, flaked peas, heat-processed soybeans, ground corn, sunflower seeds, flaked wheat, corn gluten meal, red lentil seeds, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, dehydrated carrots, dehydrated potato, dehydrated savoy cabbage, calcium carbonate, ground wheat, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, Yucca Schidigera extract, vegetable oil, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, salt, L-lysine, dried plain beet pulp, ground oat groats, wheat germ meal, apple juice concentrate, potassium chloride, brewers dried yeast, ground steam-rolled oats, DL-methionine, dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, dried Aspergillus Oryzae fermentation product, Torula dried yeast, choline chloride, magnesium oxide, fructooligosaccharide, algae meal, ground flaxseed, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, yeast culture, Vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, d-Calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, biotin, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganese oxide, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, ferrous carbonate, copper sulfate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, potassium iodide, manganese methionine complex, copper lysine complex, zinc methionine complex, cobalt glucoheptonate, cobalt sulfate, sodium selenite, aloe vera gel concentrate, color added (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1, titanium dioxide).
Nutrition – Protein is too low at only 13%. Fat is fine at 4%, and fiber is good at 12%.
Variety – This food actually has fairly good variety at 13 whole ingredients.
Quality – The overall quality of this food is pretty good. It has a few unique ingredients in the form of cabbage, potato, soybeans, and lentils. It also has added probiotics. This food contains a little added sugar, but it’s fairly far down on the ingredients list. This food contains some filler in the form of corn, which is not terribly high on the ingredient list, but is split. This food’s pellets contain ground corn, which is filler.
Sweet Harvest Hamster and More (by Kaylor of Colorado)
13.75% protein
11.25% fat
9% fiber
Variety – 12 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 4 (red beans, buckwheat, safflower, pumpkin fruit)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – No
Timothy grass hay, safflower, wheat, corn, oat groats, peas, red beans, sunflower, buckwheat, banana, carrot, peanut, pumpkin, corn gluten meal, ground corn, soybean oil, ground limestone, yeast extract, yeast culture, lignin sulfonate, propionic acid, potassium chloride, salt, choline chloride, DL-methionine, magnesium oxide, Vitamin B12 supplement, zinc proteinate, selenium yeast, niacin, Yucca Schidigera extract, Vitamin E supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, mineral oil, riboflavin supplement, silicon dioxide, manganese sulfate, lecithin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, folic acid, Vitamin A supplement, mixed tocopherols, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, Vitamin D3 supplement, ferrous sulfate
Nutrition – The nutrition of this food is quite poor. It’s low in protein at 13.75%. The bigger concern is its extremely high fat content—a whopping 11.25%! Fiber is fine at 9%.
Variety – This food actually has decent raw variety at 12 whole ingredients. The true variety is excellent as well, as this is a very seedy mix.
Quality – Despite its nutritional problems, the quality of this food is fairly good. It does not contain any added sugars, artificial dyes, or risky preservatives. It also contains several unique ingredients in the form of red beans, buckwheat, safflower, and pumpkin. It contains added probiotics as well. If not for the extremely high fat, this would be a very promising mix. The only issue is that it does contain filler in the form of corn, which is very high on the ingredients list.
Tesco Everyday Value Gerbil and Hamster Food
14% protein
7% fat
8% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 2 (apple, linseed)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Undetermined
Wheat, Peas, Wheatfeed, Oatfeed, Oats, Maize, Sunflower Meal, Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds, Vegetable Oil, Grass, Minerals, Apple, Grape, Carob Meal, Linseed, Additives (Per Kg), Nutritional Additives, Vitamin A 8000iu/kg, Vitamin D3 1000iu/kg, Vitamin E 40mg/kg, Trace Elements, Iron 480mg/kg, Iodine 0.7mg/kg, Copper 3mg/kg, Manganese 14mg/kg, Zinc 11mg/kg, Sodium 0.004mg/kg, Antioxidants.
Nutrition – Protein is too low at 14%. Fat is within range at 7%. Fiber is fine at 8%.
Variety – Variety is average at 9 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is difficult to assess due to varying labeling laws. It does not appear to contain any added sugars, artificial dyes, or risky preservatives, but it is difficult to know for sure. It does contain unique ingredients in the form of apple and linseed.
Tesco Hamster Food Peanut and Sunflower Seed
16% protein
9% fat
7% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 3 (apple, linseed, soya)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Undetermined
Maize, Wheat, Peas, Soya, Wheatfeed, Oatfeed, Peanuts (min 4%), Sunflower Seeds (min 4%), Grass, Sunflower Ext, Vitamins & Minerals, Apple, Grape, Vegetable Oil, Carob Meal, Linseed, Additives (per Kg), Nutritional Additives, TempText3 12000 iu/kg, TempText4 1000 iu/kg, TempText5 40 mg/kg. Trace Elements, TempText6 300 mg/kg, TempText7 0.6mg/kg, TempText8 2.5 mg/kg, TempText9 12 mg/kg, TempText10 10 mg/kg, TempText11 10 mg/kg. Antioxidant.
Nutrition - Protein is a little low at 16%, however, fat is rather high at 9%. Fiber is decent at 7%.
Variety – The raw variety is average at 9 whole ingredients.
Quality –It does not appear to have any artificial dyes, added sugars, or risky preservatives, but it is difficult to tell due to varying labeling laws. However, it does contain filler in the form of corn, which is first on the ingredients list. It does contain unique ingredients in the form of apple, soya, and linseed.
Versele Laga Hamster Crispy / Crispy Cereal Hamsters & Co.
15% protein
10% fat
7% fiber
Variety – 15 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 6 (buckwheat, rice, safflower, carob, pumpkin seeds, linseed)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Undetermined
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Wheat bran, soy meal non-gmo, sunflower seed meal, wheat, barley, buckwheat, maize, puffed wheat, puffed maize, puffed rice, peas, pea flakes, carrot, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, salt, sunflower, safflower, pumpkin seed, linseed, carob, peanuts, vitamins A, E and D3, Copper, E320, E321, E102, E132, E110, E124.
Nutrition - The protein for this mix is a little low at 15%, but the larger concern is the high fat content at 10%. Fiber is okay at 7%.
Variety - This food has very good raw variety at 15 whole ingredients. True variety is questionable, due to the occurrence of salt before several whole ingredients on the list.
Quality – Quality for this food is fairly good—it contains a number of unique ingredients in the form of buckwheat, rice, safflower, pumpkin seeds, linseed and carob. However, as stated above, salt is listed above several of the whole ingredients. This could indicate either a very high level of salt or a low level of those ingredients. This food does contain artificial dyes, though it does not have any added sugars or risky preservatives. In fact, if not for its high fat, this would be a solid mix.
VitaKraft Emotion Beauty Hamster Food
15% protein
5% fat
9% fiber
Variety – 7+ whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 2 (bean, shrimp)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Undetermined
Cereals (12% corn flakes, 5% oat), derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables (5.6% bean flakes, 5.6% pea flakes), fruits, nuts (4% peanuts), molluscs and crustaceans (2% shrimps), milk and milk derivatives, sugar cane molasses, minerals, oils and fats, aloe vera concentrate.
Nutrition – Protein is a bit low at 15%. Fat and fiber are on the mark at 5% and 9% respectively.
Variety – The variety of this food is nearly impossible to assess due to the labeling. It almost certainly has at least 7 whole ingredients, but possibly more than that.
Quality – The quality of this food is, again, difficult to assess due to labeling. It does have at least 2 unique ingredients in the form of beans and shrimp. It does not appear to have any risky preservatives, but this is hard to know for sure. This food does have colored pellets, and the source of the colors is unknown. It does have some filler in the form of corn, which is first on the ingredients list. This food also contains added sugars.
VitaKraft Emotion Sensitive Hamster Food
14.5% protein
4.5% fat
9% fiber
Variety – 8 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 2 (shrimp, chamomile)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Corn flakes, wheat bran flakes, pea flakes, wheat, puffed wheat flakes, oat bran, alfalfa meal, peanut kernels, sunflower meal, small shrimps, red beet pulp, wheat germ flour, chamomile petals, skimmed milk derivatives, vegetable oil, wheat germ flour, aloe vera, artificial colorings, malt sprouts, sugar cane molasses enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Nutrition – Protein is low at only 14.5%. Fat is fine at 4.5%, and fiber is good at 9%.
Variety – Variety is average at 8 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this food is questionable. It does contain a few unique ingredients in the form of shrimp and chamomile petals. However, it does contain unspecified artificial colors and added sugars. This food does not appear to have any risky preservatives, but it is difficult to tell due to varying labeling laws. This food contains filler in the form of corn, which is first on the ingredients list.
VitaKraft Menu Hamster
13% protein
4% fat
12% fiber
Variety – 11 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 2 (carob, soybean flakes)
Probiotics – Yes
Added Sugars – No
Risky Preservatives – No
Artificial Dyes – Yes
Milo, dehydrated alfalfa meal, ground corn, wheat, wheat middlings, soybean hulls, flaked corn, sunflower seed, steel-cut corn, steam-rolled oats, carob pods, oats, whole corn, dehulled soybean meal, steam-rolled peas, split green peas, heat-processed soybean flakes, puffed wheat, heat processed wheat flakes, shelled peanuts, corn gluten meal, calcium carbonate, corn distiller's dried grains with solubles, ground flax seed, ground wheat, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, ground oat groats, salt, dehydrated carrots, l-lysine, vegetable oil, potassium chloride, magnesium oxide, vitamin A supplement, choline chloride, algae meal, yeast culture, ground steam-rolled oats, dl-methionine, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, torula dried yeast, yucca schidigera extract, fructooligosaccharide, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, biotin, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, cobalt sulfate, sodium selenite, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1 and titanium dioxide.
Nutrition - Protein is quite low at only 13%. Fat is okay at 4%, and fiber is good at 12%
Variety – Raw variety is pretty decent at 11 whole ingredients.
Quality – This food does contain unique ingredients in the form of carob pods and soybean flakes. Milo, although a common ingredient, is unique in being the primary ingredient. This food is free of any added sugars or risky preservatives, and contains added probiotics. However, this food does have artificial dyes. This food does contain a bit of filler in the form of corn. Although corn does not appear high on the ingredient list, it is split not only once but twice, indicating a much higher level than the ingredients list may imply. This food’s pellets contain ground corn, which is filler.
Wagg Hamster Gerbil Mouse Munch
16% protein
10% fat
9% fiber
Variety – 9 whole ingredients
Unique Ingredients – 3 (apple, linseed, soya)
Probiotics – Undetermined
Added Sugars – Yes
Risky Preservatives – Undetermined
Artificial Dyes – Possible
Wheat, Wheatfeed, Oatfeed, Toasted Soya, Peas, Sunflower Ext., Flaked Maize, Whole Maize, Peanuts (4%), Sunflower Seeds (4%), Vegetable Oil, Lucerne, Apple, Grape, Syrup, Grass, Minerals, Linseed (0.4%), Carob Meal, Yeast (0.05%), Vitamin A 8,000 iu, Vitamin D3 1,200 iu, Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol acetate) 40 iu. Trace Elements: Iron (iron lll ferric oxide) 450 mg, Iron (iron sulphate) 2.5 mg, Iodine (calcium iodate) 0.8 mg, Copper (cupric sulphate pentahydrate) 3 mg, Manganese (manganous oxide) 15 mg, Zinc (zinc oxide) 12 mg, Zinc (zinc chelate) 12 mg, *Colourants, Antioxidant.
*Colourants - from a mineral source found in nature.
Nutrition – Protein is a little low at 16%. The fat content of this food is what’s concerning—it’s extremely high at 10%. Fiber is good at 9%.
Variety – The raw variety is average, with 9 whole ingredients.
Quality – The quality of this mix is average at best. It does contain unique ingredients in the form of apple, soya, and linseed. This food does contain added sugar in the form of “syrup”, and it is listed above a few whole ingredients. It also contains filler in the form of corn, which is high on the ingredients list and split. This food does contain what appear to be natural dyes, however, they are unspecified, so assessing their safety is difficult.
Edited by Taxonomist, 16 October 2016 - 07:25 AM.
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I was intrigued by the amount of pros and cons each food had.. I guess no food is the "perfect" food. Thank you to you, CH, and everyone else who contributed for making such helpful threads!
There's just so much info, and the analysis is so detailed! 
hehe I was happy to see all the foods I use were on the High -grade commercial foods.
I guess I must finish (or start, in my case hehe) in the morning. 
Thanks for posting!
The more input we have from people who have actually seen and used some of these foods, the better analysis we can give and the more comprehensive the list can be. Contributions from forum members on stuff like that, along with info on foods we don't yet have listed etc is actually enormously helpful 
