316 replies to this topic

[Taxonomist]

Sunseed Sunsations Hamster & Gerbil

RECOMMENDED

 

15% protein

3% fat

13% fiber

 

Variety – 15 whole ingredients

Unique Ingredients – 6 (apples, mung beans, potatoes, lentils, beans, soybeans)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – No

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Timothy meal, wheat, oats, heat-processed barley, soybean hulls, dehulled soybean meal, steam-rolled oats, flaked peas, heat-processed soybeans, green split peas, puffed wheat, split red lentil seeds, wheat middlings, flaked beans, corn gluten meal, flaked corn, mung beans, sunflower seeds, ground corn, ground wheat, raisins, calcium carbonate, dehydrated apples, dehydrated carrots, dehydrated potato, ground beets, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, yeast culture, salt, dehydrated alfalfa meal, L-lysine, potassium chloride, ground rolled oats, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, ground dandelion leaf, ground peppermint leaf, ground raspberry leaf, vegetable oil, algae meal, magnesium oxide, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, choline chloride, 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, DL-methionine, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, fructooligosaccharide, zinc methionine complex, manganese methionine complex, copper lysine complex, cobalt glucoheptonate, niacin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, biotin, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganous oxide, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, potassium iodide, cobalt sulfate, sodium selenite

 

Nutrition - Protein is low at only 15%.  Fat is a little low at 3%, and fiber is good at 13%.  This food cannot be fed alone due to lack of protein.

 

Variety - This food has excellent raw variety at 15 whole ingredients.  True variety is good as well, as this is a very seedy and diverse mix.

 

Quality - This food does not contain any added sugars, artificial dyes, or risky preservatives.  It has several unique ingredients like apples, mung beans, potato, soybeans, lentils, and flaked beans.  It also contains added probiotics.  It also contains several unique leaves ground up within the pellets, including peppermint, dandelion, and raspberry.  However, the pellets also contain ground corn, which reduces their quality.

[Taxonomist]

Versele Laga Hamster Nature Complete

RECOMMENDED

 

17% protein

8.5% fat

7% fiber

 

Variety – 13 whole ingredients

Unique Ingredients – 5 (beetroot, pineapple, papaya, carob, apricot)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – Undetermined

Risky Preservatives – Undetermined

Artificial Dyes – Yes

 

Grains (9% corn flakes, oat flakes, and popcorn), vegetables (18.5% of which 1.5% carrots and 5% beetroot), derivatives of vegetable origin, seeds(11%), fruit (7.5% of which 9.5% apricot, 9.5% pineapple, 12.5% banana, 12.5% papaya, 12.5% raisins and 38% carob.), vegetable protein extracts, nuts (5%), minerals, yeast, FOS, herbs, calendula., vitamins A, E and D3, copper, E320, E321, E102, E132, E110, E124.

 

Nutrition – Protein isn’t bad at 17%.  Fat is definitely on the high side at 8.5%, and fiber is decent at 7%.

 

Variety – The variety in this food is difficult to gauge, given the method of ingredient listing.  However, we can safely assume that this food contains at least 13 whole ingredients, and very likely more than that.

 

Quality – This food contains a very diverse assortment of ingredients, including several unique ingredients like pineapple, beetroot, papaya, carob, and apricot.  It does not appear to contain any added sugars or risky preservatives, but it is difficult to know for sure due to varying labeling laws.  It does, however, contain a large number of artificial dyes.  This food also contains filler in the form of corn, which is very high on the ingredients list.  It should also be noted that the herbs in this food very likely contain garlic, as other foods of this brand do contain garlic as part of the “herb” ingredient.  However, given that it is an herb mix and at the end of the ingredients list, it seems unlikely that the quantity found in the food would be harmful.  Nevertheless, it is probably safer to feed this food mixed with another food to further reduce the amount of garlic being fed.

[Taxonomist]

Versele Laga Mini Hamster Nature Complete

NOT RECOMMENDED / POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS

 

16.5% protein

7.5% fat

7% fiber

 

Variety – at least 7, but true number unknown

Unique Ingredients – 2 (mealworms, parsnip)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – Undetermined

Risky Preservatives – Undetermined

Artificial Dyes – Yes

 

Grains (oats 8%), seeds, derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables (peas 10%, parsnip 2%, leek 1%), vegetable protein extracts, fruit (pineapple 2%, raisins 2%), insects (mealworms 4%), nuts, minerals, herbs, MOS, FOS, calendula, grape seed

 

Nutrition – Protein is just a little low at 16.5%.  Fat is a little high at 7.5%, and fiber is fine at 7%.  This food cannot be fed alone due to its lack of nutrition.

 

Variety – The variety in this food is nearly impossible to assess with the new labeling, because not all ingredients are listed on the label.  For example, it can be assumed that the food has grains other than oats, but oats are the only ones specifically named.  It obviously contains sunflower seeds, but again, they are not listed on the label.

 

Quality – It does not appear to contain any added sugars or risky preservatives, but due to varying labeling laws, it’s hard to know for sure. This food contains 1% of leeks, which are potentially toxic to hamsters. It should also be noted that in the past, this food's "herbs" were listed as containing garlic, another potentially toxic ingredient.  It is unknown if garlic is still found in the new version.  Given both of these potentially toxic ingredients, this food is likely best avoided.

Edited by Taxonomist, 27 February 2019 - 12:26 AM.

[Taxonomist]

VitaKraft VitaNature

RECOMMENDED

 

15% protein

4% fat

13% fiber

 

Variety – 16 whole ingredients

Unique Ingredients – 6 (apples, lentils, beans, trapper peas, potatoes, soybeans)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – No

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Oats, wheat, head-processed barley, timothy meal, soybean hulls, milo, steam-rolled oats, dehulled soybean meal, green split peas, heat-processed soybeans, flaked peas, sunflower seed, wheat middlings, split red lentil seeds, trapper peas, puffed wheat, flaked beans, flaked corn, corn gluten meal, ground corn, dehydrated carrot, dehydrated potato, raisins, calcium carbonate, dehydrated apples, ground wheat, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried yeast, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, l-lysine, ground rolled oats, ground dandelion leaf, ground peppermint leaf, ground raspberry leaf, algae meal, potassium chloride, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, vegetable oil, magnesium oxide, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, vitamin A supplement, choline chloride, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, torula dried yeast, yucca schidigera extract, dl-methionine, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, fructooligosaccharide, zinc methionine complex, manganese methionine complex, copper lysine complex, cobalt glucoheptonate, niacin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, biotin, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, manganous oxide manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, potassium iodide, cobalt sulfate, sodium selenite

 

Nutrition – Protein is a little low at only 15%.  Fat is fine at 4%, and fiber is good at 13%.  This food cannot be fed alone due to its lack of protein.

 

Variety – This mix has quite good variety at 16 whole ingredients.

 

Quality – This food does not contain any artificial dyes, added sugars, or risky preservatives.  It also has added probiotics, and contains unique ingredients such as apples, trapper peas, soybeans, beans, lentils, and potato.  It has some unique ingredients in the pellets as well, in the form of raspberry leaf, dandelion leaf, and peppermint leaf.  However, the pellets also contain ground corn, which reduces their quality.

[Taxonomist]

VitaKraft VitaSmart

RECOMMENDED

 

16% protein

3% fat

10% fiber

 

Variety – 10 whole ingredients

Unique Ingredients – 4 (carob pods, chopped hay, parsley, soybeans)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – Yes

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – Yes

 

Soybean hulls, wheat, flaked corn, oats, dehulled soybean meal, carob pods, puffed wheat, flaked soybeans, flaked peas, wheat middlings, dehydrated alfalfa meal, ground wheat, ground corn, timothy grass hay, peanuts, chopped timothy grass hay, corn gluten meal, dried plain beet pulp, calcium carbonate, ground flaxseed, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, salt, cane molasses, L-lysine, vegetable oil, wheat germ meal, apple juice concentrate, potassium chloride, magnesium oxide, vitamin A supplement, choline chloride, 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, algae meal, yeast culture, dehydrated parsley, 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, manganese methionine complex, copper lysine complex, zinc methionine complex, cobalt glucoheptonate, cobalt sulfate, sodium selenite, color added (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 titanium dioxide) and aloe vera gel concentrate.

 

Nutrition – Nutrition for this food is iffy.  At 16% protein, it’s a little on the low side.  Fat is low at only 3%.  Fiber, however, is fine at 10%.  Due to lack of nutrition, this food cannot be fed alone.

 

Variety – This food has 10 whole ingredients, which is slightly above average.  The true variety of this food is decent, although not great.

 

Quality – This food contains some unique ingredients in the form of carob pods, soybeans, chopped hay, and parsley.  It also does not contain any risky preservatives, and does have added probiotics.  However, this food does contain artificial dyes.  Another point to consider is that this food has a ton of filler.  Corn is very high on the ingredients list.  In addition, the pellets contain ground corn, which is filler.

[Taxonomist]

Cuisine Rodent Chunk

PROTEIN BOOSTER for seed mixes with 16% or greater protein only

NOT RECOMMENDED for use with seed mixes with 15% or less protein

 

18% protein

5% fat

5% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 1 (fish meal)

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – Yes

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Ground corn, wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, fish meal, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, cane molasses, dehydrated alfalfa meal, salt, DLmethionine, L-lysine, menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite, vitamin A acetate, cholecalciferol, pyridoxine hydrochloride, magnesium oxide, biotin, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, riboflavin, vitamin B-12 supplement, folic acid, nicotinic acid, thiamin mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, ferrous carbonate, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite.

 

Nutrition – The nutrition for this food is pretty much spot-on.  Protein and fat are perfect at 18% and 5%, respectively.  Fiber is low at 5%, however.  Although the protein of these blocks is fine in and of itself, it is not high enough to be a good protein booster.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – This food contains some added sugars.  However, it lacks artificial dyes and risky preservatives.  The base for this food is somewhat unique, as fish meal is a primary ingredient.

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:07 PM.

[Taxonomist]

Harlan Teklad (2018, 8604, 8640)

RECOMMENDED

 

2018

18.6% protein

6.2% fat

3.5% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – None

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – No

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Ground wheat, ground corn, wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, corn gluten meal, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, brewers dried yeast, iodized salt, L-lysine, DL-methionine, choline chloride, kaolin, magnesium oxide, vitamin E acetate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), manganous oxide, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, calcium pantothenate, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamin mononitrate, vitamin A acetate, calcium iodate, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement, cobalt carbonate

 

8604

24.3% protein

4.7% fat

4.0% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 1 (fish meal)

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – Yes

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Dehulled soybean meal, wheat middlings, flaked corn, ground corn, fish meal, cane molasses, ground wheat, dried whey, soybean oil, brewers dried yeast, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, iodized salt, choline chloride, kaolin, magnesium oxide, ferrous sulfate, vitamin E acetate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), manganous oxide, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, thiamin mononitrate, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, cobalt carbonate.

 

8640

22% protein

5.5% fat

3.9% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 1 (fish meal)

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – Yes

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Dehulled soybean meal, ground corn, wheat middlings, flaked corn, fish meal, cane molasses, soybean oil, ground wheat, dried whey, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, brewers dried yeast, iodized salt, choline chloride, kaolin, magnesium oxide, ferrous sulfate, vitamin E acetate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity) manganous oxide, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, thiamin mononitrate, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, cobalt carbonate.

 

Nutrition – The 8604 and 8640 formulas make excellent protein boosters, with 24.3% and 22% protein respectively.  And even the 2018 contains adequate protein, though it generally would not be much of a boost.  They are, however, lacking in fiber, at under 5% in all formulas.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – The fish meal in two of the formulas makes for a somewhat unique base.  They all lack artificial dyes and risky preservatives.  Two of them do contain added sugars.  However, these blocks are used in laboratory studies, so they are likely more carefully formulated than the average hamster diet.

[Taxonomist]

Kaytee Healthy Forti-Diet Pro Health Healthy Support for Mouse, Rat, and Hamster (block food)

PROTEIN BOOSTER for seed mixes with 14% or greater protein only

NOT RECOMMENDED for use with seed mixes with 13% or less protein

 

Note: This entry is referring to the block food.  Kaytee actually makes another food (a seed mix) with an identical name and nearly identical packaging.  The only notable difference is that the block is "mouse, rat, and hamster" and the seed mix is "hamster and gerbil."

 

20% protein

4% fat

7% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 1 (peanuts)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – Yes

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Ground Peanuts, Ground Oat Hulls, Ground Flax Seed, Dried Cane Molasses, Dextrose, Lignin Sulfonate, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Soy Oil, Dried Molasses beet pulp, Brewers Dried Yeast, Wheat middlings, Ground Rice, Fructooligosaccharide, Coconut Oil, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Yeast Extract, Tetra Sodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Titanium Dioxide (color), Sodium Bentonine, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Mnadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K activity), Copper Sulfate, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite,  Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Natural Flavor, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40.

 

Nutrition – The nutrition of this food is fairly good.  Protein is at a good level at 20%, fat is reasonable at 4%, and fiber is pretty good for a pellet at 7%.  This food does have higher protein levels than most typical seed mixes, so it can in some cases be used as a a protein boost.  However, the protein isn't that high at only 20%, so it isn't as effective as many other high-protein lab blocks.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – This food does not contain any risky preservatives.  However, it has been recently changed and now includes multiple artificial dyes.  Peanuts are a fairly unique ingredient in a lab block, though the amount is unclear.  However, it does contain several forms of sugar.

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:09 PM.

[Taxonomist]

Martin Little Friends Hamster & Gerbil Food

NOT RECOMMENDED

 

17% protein

5% fat

14% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 1 (fish meal)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – No

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Dehydrated Alfalfa, Wheat Shorts, Soybean Hulls, Soybeans, Ground Corn, Whole Ground Wheat, Soya Oil (preserved with Rosemary Extract, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Lignin Sulfonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine, Brewer’s Yeast, Vitamin E, Ascorbic Acid (a source of Vitamin C), DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Mannan Oligosaccharide, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rice Hulls, Iron Sulphate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Niacinamide, Mineral Oil, Copper Sulphate, Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, Biotin, Selenium, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Sulphate

 

Nutrition – The nutrition of this food is overall pretty good.  Protein is at a good level at 17%, but not really high enough to be a protein boost.  Fat is spot-on at 5%.  Fiber is good at 14%.  While its protein prevents it from being a protein booster, it could be a good fiber booster that doesn't negatively impact protein content.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – This food does not contain any added sugars, risky preservatives, or artificial dyes.  It also contains some added probiotics.  

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:14 PM.

[Taxonomist]

Mazuri Rat & Mouse

PROTEIN BOOSTER for nearly any quality seed mix

 

Note: This food is not advertised as being for hamsters - it is labeled strictly for rats and mice.  However, the hamster and gerbil formulation of Mazuri was discontinued.  The manufacturer actually recommended using the Rat & Mouse formula instead.  Comparing detailed data sheets of the two formulas has confirmed that they are basically identical, down to even vitamin and mineral levels.  This does not mean that mouse and rat foods are always safe, but this particular food can safely be fed to hamsters.

 

23% protein

6.5% fat

4.5% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – None

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – Yes

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Dehulled soybean meal, ground corn, wheat middlings, ground wheat, soybean oil, cane molasses, ground oats, calcium carbonate, dried beet pulp, dehydrated alfalfa meal, wheat germ, brewers dried yeast, salt, calcium propionate, dicalcium phosphate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, dl-methionine, choline chloride, dried yucca shidigera extract, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K), vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin A acetate, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate (form of vitamin E), vitamin B12 supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, manganous oxide, zinc oxide, ferrous carbonate, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate.

 

Nutrition – The nutrition of this food is generally quite good.  Great as a protein boost at 23%, a reasonable amount of fat at 6%.  Fiber is, however, quite low at only 4.5%.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – This food does have some added sugar in the form of molasses.  This food does not contain artificial dyes.  This food is also zoological grade, which could indicate a more careful formulation.  Although this food is a rat and mouse food, several of the lab blocks on this list advertised for hamsters are actually generalized rodent blocks (Harlan Teklad, Kaytee, Sunseed).  The nutrition and micronutrients of this formula are very similar to that of the hamster formula, so this food should be safe for hamsters as well.

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:09 PM.

[Taxonomist]

Mr. Johnson’s Advance Hamster and Gerbil Food

PROTEIN BOOSTER for seed mixes with 15% or greater protein only

NOT RECOMMENDED for use with seed mixes with 14% or less protein

 

19% protein

5% fat

5% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – None

Probiotics – Undetermined

Added Sugars – Undetermined

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Wheat, Wheatfeed, Soya Bean Meal, Oats, Sunflower Seed Meal, Linseed,  Calcium Carbonate, Vegetable Oil & Fat, Mono Calcium phosphate, Bio Moss ®, Sodium Chloride, Verm-X ® Herb Blend.

 

Nutrition – Protein is great in and of itself at 19%, though it wouldn’t provide too much of a boost to a low-protein diet.  Fat is spot-on at 5%.  Fiber is a little low at 5%

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – This food does not contain any artificial dyes or risky preservatives, as per the labeling on the bag.  This food does not appear to contain any added sugars, but it is difficult to be sure due to varying labeling laws.  This food does not contain any corn, which is a positive point.  This food does contain Verm-X powder, which contains garlic and cayenne pepper.  Because of how low on the ingredients list it is, it’s probably safe.  However, this food should be fed only with another non-garlic-containing food to reduce the amount of garlic being fed.

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:10 PM.

[Taxonomist]

Sunseed Critter Cubes

PROTEIN BOOSTER for nearly any quality seed mix

 

Note - On the bag, this food does specify that it should not be fed as a complete diet, and that it is a supplement only.  However, given that we do not recommend feeding lab blocks as a sole diet anyway, we felt it appropriate to include it on the food list.

 

22% protein

5% fat

6% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – None

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – Yes

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Dehulled soybean meal, wheat middlings, ground corn, ground wheat, molasses, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, ground oats, dehydrated alfalfa, salt, calcium propionate (a preservative), DL-methionine, menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite (source of vitamin K), choline chloride, brewer's dried yeast, yucca schidigera, yeast culture, cobalt carbonate, copper sulfate, ferrous carbonate, manganese oxide, calcium iodate, zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, thiamin mononitrate, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement

 

Nutrition - Protein is at a great level at 22%, which makes these blocks excellent for boosting protein.  Fat is good at 5%, but fiber is a little low at 6%.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – The base for these blocks is not unique—it’s a typical soy, wheat, and corn base.  These blocks lack any risky preservatives or artificial dyes.  They do, however, contain some added sugars.

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:11 PM.

[Taxonomist]

Supreme Science Selective

NOT RECOMMENDED

 

Note - There have been two versions of this food floating around - one with 17% protein and one with 19% protein.  This is the 19% protein version, which appeared to be discontinued, but now appears to be the only one available.

 

19% protein

5% fat

5% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 1 (barley)

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – No

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Wholemeal wheat flour, soya bean meal, barley, oats, linseed, soya oil, vitamins, minerals.

 

Nutrition – Nutrition is overall decent.  Protein appears good at 19%.  However, the US version of this food was listed at 17% protein, meaning that this food is only guaranteed to have that much protein.  This makes it unreliable as a protein booster.  Fat is spot-on at 5%.  Fiber is quite low at only 5%.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food.

 

Quality – This food does not contain any added sugars, risky preservatives, or artificial dyes.  It does have barley, which makes for a somewhat unique base.  This food also lacks corn, which is a positive point.

 

 

 

Supreme Science Selective (version 2)

 

Note - This version is probably discontinued.

 

Spoiler

17% protein

3% fat

3% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 1 (barley)

Probiotics – No

Added Sugars – No

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Wheat flour, soybean meal, ground barley, flaked oats, flaxseed, soybean oil, dicalcium phosphate, limestone flour, DL-methionine, salt, L-lysine, magnesium oxide, choline chloride, vitamin A supplement, vitamin E supplement, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), manganese oxide, zinc oxide, iron sulfate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), thiamine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B1), riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), copper sulfate, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), calcium iodate, biotin, sodium selenite, vitamin B12 supplement.

 

Nutrition – These pellets have a good level of protein at 17%, but not enough to be a protein boost.  They are lacking in fat at only 3%.  Fiber is low at only 3%.

 

Quality – Quality is average or perhaps a little above—the barley contributes to a somewhat unique base, though they are still mostly wheat.  It does not have any corn, which is a positive point, and also lacks added sugars, artificial dyes, and risky preservatives.

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:19 PM.

[Taxonomist]

Versele Laga Hamster Complete

NOT RECOMMENDED

 

Note - Thank you vatonage6 for updated info!

 

17% protein

6% fat

4% fiber

 

Unique Base Ingredients – 5 (vegetables, egg, marigold, meat, fruit)

Probiotics – Yes

Added Sugars – No

Risky Preservatives – No

Artificial Dyes – No

 

Cereals (40%),, Derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables (15% peas), meat and animal derivatives (4% chicken), fruit (4% apple), oils and fats (1% salmon oil), seeds (2% linseed), minerals, yeasts, egg and egg derivatives, fructo-oligosaccharides (0.3%), marigold, grape seed, yucca, rosemary, green tea

 

Nutrition - Protein is decent at 17%, but these blocks would not make a good protein boost.  Fat is good at 6%.  Fiber is quote low at only 4%, however.

 

Variety – N/A as this is a block food

 

Quality - The quality of this food is a little difficult to determine, due to varying labeling laws.  However, it does not appear to have any added sugars, dyes, or preservatives.  It does contain added probiotics.  This food does contain some very interesting ingredients for a lab block, including meats, egg, and marigold.  It also lacks corn, which is a positive point.  This food also includes grape seed, salmon oil, and green tea, which are unique ingredients.

Edited by Taxonomist, 06 December 2016 - 11:16 PM.

[Taxonomist]

All Living Things Hamster and Gerbil Daily Diet

NOT RECOMMENDED

 

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.  Loose corn is the very first whole ingredient in the mix. This food has two different added sugars and also contains artificial dyes.