Vet-Formulated Nutrition for Hamsters and Gerbils Product Description Oxbow Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food is a uniform pellet diet built on Timothy meal, pearled barley, and oat groats for steady, balanced energy. Formulated with guidance from exotic veterinarians, it delivers 100% of a hamster or gerbil's daily recommended vitamins and minerals in every bite, along with antioxidants and prebiotics for gut and immune support. It's made without using artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Benefits Three-Grain Energy Blend: Timothy meal, pearled barley, and oat groats work together to give hamsters and gerbils sustained energy each day. Uniform Pellet Format: Every pellet is identical, so your pet gets balanced nutrition in each bite instead of picking favorites daily. Complete Vitamin Coverage: This food delivers 100% of a hamster or gerbil's daily recommended vitamins and minerals in every serving. Gut and Immune Support: Added prebiotics and antioxidants work together to support digestive health and overall immune function in small pets. No Artificial Additives: This formula skips artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives in favor of purposeful, natural ingredients throughout the recipe. Ingredients Oat Groats, Timothy Meal, Pearled Barley (Rolled), Millet, Canola Meal, Wheat Gluten, Canola Oil, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Sodium Bentonite, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Soy Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Citric Acid, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, and Rosemary Extract. Guaranteed Analysis Nutrient Amount Crude Protein (min) 15.00% Crude Fat (min) 4.50% Crude Fiber (min) 10.00% Crude Fiber (max) 15.00% Moisture (max) 10.00% Calcium (min) 0.60% Calcium (max) 1.00% Phosphorus (min) 0.40% Vitamin A (min) 10,000 IU/kg Vitamin D3 (min) 900 IU/kg Vitamin E (min) 190 IU/kg How to Use Feeding Instructions Feed by Life Stage: Young, pregnant, and nursing hamsters or gerbils can just eat as much as they want. Measure Adult Portions: Give adult small hamsters about 1/8 cup a day, and adult gerbils or larger hamsters closer to 1/3 cup. Adjust as Needed: Keep an eye on your pet's weight and shape, and bump portions up or down depending on how active they are. Check Food Stores: Peek into their hiding spots now and then, hamsters love to stash food, and you may need to cut back if you find a pile. Offer Hay for Enrichment: Toss in some hay for burrowing and hiding. It's not something they need nutritionally, but they'll enjoy it. Transitioning Foods Week One: Mix 25% new food with 75% current food to help your pet adjust comfortably. Week Two: Feed equal portions of new and current food to continue a smooth transition to the new diet. Week Three: Increase to 75% new food and 25% current food as your pet becomes accustomed gradually. Week Four: Feed Oxbow Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food exclusively once your pet has fully transitioned successfully. Additional Information Precautions Adjust Rations for Hoarders: If you find hidden stockpiles, adjust daily portions so your pet isn't overeating unnoticed. Introduce Gradually: Switching foods too quickly can upset your pet's stomach, so transition slowly over about four weeks instead. Ask Before Changing Diets: Reach out to your veterinarian if you have questions about feeding this food or diet. Storage Information Reseal After Opening: Close the bag tightly after each use to keep the pellets fresh and free of pests. Check the Best-By Date: Look for the date stamped on the bag, and use older bags before opening new ones whenever possible. Shipping & Return We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details. For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What is this food used for? Ans: It's a pellet food made for hamsters and gerbils of any age, built on Timothy meal, pearled barley, and oat groats for steady energy. Every pellet is the same, so your pet gets all its daily vitamins and minerals no matter which piece it eats. Q2: How much should I feed my hamster or gerbil? Ans: Young, pregnant, or nursing hamsters and gerbils can just eat as much as they want. For adults, small hamsters usually do fine with about an eighth of a cup a day, while gerbils or bigger hamsters need closer to a third of a cup. Keep an eye out for stashed food too, if you find a hoard, cut back a bit. Q3: Do hamsters and gerbils need hay as part of their diet? Ans: Not as a staple, since this food already provides complete nutrition on its own. That said, offering free-choice hay is still a good idea, since it gives hamsters and gerbils something to burrow and hide in, which supports their natural instincts. Q4: Why do I need to check for hoarded food? Ans: Hamsters especially are known to stash extra food around their cage, which can make it hard to tell how much they're actually eating. Checking regularly helps you adjust their daily portions accurately and avoid overfeeding. Q5: How do I switch my pet to this food? Ans: Transition gradually over about four weeks, mixing in more of the new food each week while reducing the old one. By the fourth week, your pet should be ready to eat this food exclusively without much trouble or stomach upset. Q6: Does this food contain prebiotics or antioxidants? Ans: Yes, both are included to support gut balance and immune health. Prebiotics help maintain healthy digestion, while antioxidants support overall immune function in hamsters and gerbils of all ages. This combination supports long-term wellness alongside the food's core nutrition and energy. Q7: Does this food contain artificial ingredients? Ans: No, it's free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The formula relies on Timothy meal, grains, and other purposeful ingredients rather than synthetic additives, which is part of why some pet parents specifically choose this food.
