Diet???

[bigfatmommarat]

I just bought a 15kg bag of Harlan 2014 rodent maintance diet (14% protein, 3.5% fat) for my rats. The bag says it is a complete diet for Rats, mice and hamsters. Is this as good a choice for my hamster as it is for my rats?

[Die Fledermaus]

Don't know, except to say the protein content seems a bit high for hamsters, and the fat content a bit low, compared to hamster/gerbil mixes, and I know 'hamster only' mixes would have less protein.

But I doubt if it'll be a problem, but hopefully some rat people will know better.

[adara]

In general it is best to get specific foods for your different animals.. The ones that are "hamster/mouse/rat" food are generally not nutritionally correct for any of those animals, but for example a hamster specific food would be tailored to the hamster's nutritional needs.

[bigfatmommarat]

I know about the general rule BUT we are talking about Harlan here... Are you familier with Harlan? Note they are not claiming to be good for gerbs just Rats/Mice/Hamsters You can look up the 2014 at : www.teklad.com/index.htm

[adara]

Still, rats, mice and hamsters each have surprisingly different nutritional needs..