Hamster making very big mess!!!!!!

[The Sire 84]

I recently received a hamster from my sister ( her's had babies), and I use the same type of food as her from petsmart. im not sure which kind it is tho. anyway, whenever i come back into my room, there is food all over the outside of the cage because i think they burrow around in it to find the seeds because there are a lot of seed shells around the eating area. please give me some advice on what i can do to prevent this big mess.

thanks
-Luke

[GillyXBean]

Ham's are horders. They tend to stuff thier pouches full, as well as stash it in corners and what not. They like to have it stashed away for when they want it. You'll often find it under the bedding.

Your ham will probably continue to do this, but maybe if the bowl is big and filled all the way, try giving less at a time? They usually find stuff they like and dislike, and then dig for the types they want.

[The Sire 84]

hey thanks a lot. i think i will try giving them less at a time.
-LUke

[dwankrista]

also, seed mixes are usually terrible diets. is your ham a dwarf or syrian? either way i would try to feed a good quality lab block rather than seed mixes. with seeds they tend to pick out the fattiest and unhealthiest parts, leading to a unhealthy ham defincient in nutrients. with lab blocks it is a more complete diet and they have no choice but to ingest it all. it also cuts down on the mess. :) also, supplementing a lean doggy kibble is a good idea for protein.

[mitchl7]

I've been looking for lab blocks, but i can't find them (or i don't know what i'm lookin for :p ), what is a brand of lab blocks that some of you guys use. Thx.

[PetLuver21257]

I use Critter Cubes made by SunSeed.

You can switch from a wire cage to a glass aquarium tank. There won't be any mess with an aquarium cage.

Oh, and that's cool that your name is Luke... Hehe, as you can see from my icon, I am a huge Altar Boyz fan and my favorite Altar Boy is Luke. ;) :D

[dwankrista]

depending where you are there are different brand. the most popular are harland tekland and mazuri. however, critter cubes are another.

[mitchl7]

would waiting until my food bag runs out be too long to switch over to the pellets, i just started it as i just go my ham. Its a 2 lb bag i think...Right now i'm using nutriphase and she seems to be eating everything...(nothing is ever left in her bowl).

[dwankrista]

personally i would start introducing the lab blocks now with the seed mix. you don't want to switch his diet completely all at once as it may affect his digestive system and cause diarrhea.