Special One for hamsters, 500 g is a seed mix for pet hamsters and other small rodents from the Ukrainian brand Special One. According to the manufacturer, the recipe follows international feeding standards and recommendations from hamster-care specialists. It has 24 ingredients: millet, cereals, herb pellets, compound feed, seeds, dried vegetables and fruit, plus treats such as mung beans, black sesame, peanuts and carob. It's free of artificial flavourings, colourings and preservatives.
What hamsters eat
In the wild, hamsters eat seeds, grain, herbs and sometimes insects. At home, a seed mix forms the base of the diet, with small amounts of fresh vegetables and greens and occasional protein. More in hamster care and feeding.
Key specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | seed mix |
| For | hamsters and small rodents |
| Ingredients | 24 |
| Base | yellow and red millet, wheat, barley |
| Also | herb pellets, mung beans, sesame, seeds, vegetables, fruit |
| Free from | colourings, preservatives, artificial flavourings |
| Weight | 500 g |
| Brand | Special One, Ukraine |
Pros
- Variety. 24 ingredients.
- Herb pellets. For teeth and digestion.
- Mung beans and pulses. Plant protein.
- Dried vegetables. Carrot, pumpkin, peas.
- No colourings or preservatives.
- 500 g. A handy pack for one hamster.
Cons
- Hamsters may pick the tasty bits. Peanuts and seeds go first.
- No analysis or feeding guide on the site.
- Dried fruit and carob. Matters for diabetes-prone breeds.
- Little animal protein. Give it separately.
Ingredients
Yellow millet, red millet, wheat, barley, compound feed, naked oats, buckwheat, herb pellets, red rice, maize, mung beans, sorghum, dried pumpkin, black sesame, puffed wheat, linseed, dried carrot, green peas, dried apple, sunflower seeds, hulled pumpkin seeds, carob and peanuts. The manufacturer singles out pumpkin seeds, but its claim about "boosting serotonin" should be read as marketing.
How to feed
Give your hamster a small portion once a day, in the evening, as hamsters are active after dark. Make sure it eats the pellets and grains, not just the peanuts and seeds: don't top up until the previous portion is gone. Hamsters hoard food in their nest, so check the stash regularly and remove anything spoiling. Fresh water should always be available.
Dwarf and Syrian hamsters
The food suits different hamsters. Give dried fruit and carob especially carefully to dwarf breeds — Djungarian and Campbell's — as they're prone to diabetes and excess sugar harms them. Syrian hamsters can have a little more, but treats should still be moderate.
What to add to the diet
Besides the mix, hamsters benefit from small portions of fresh vegetables and greens, and a little protein a couple of times a week, such as boiled egg or dedicated treats. For variety, try natural sprays — Zelena Zoo millet sprays — and herbal mixes.
The food stash
Hamsters hide some food in their nest or a corner of the cage — that's normal, and throwing out the whole stash at once will stress your pet. But check it every few days: fresh vegetables and moist food can go off and turn mouldy. Remove only what's spoiled; dry food can stay.
Storage
Keep the food somewhere cool and dry in a closed pack or container so the grain doesn't get damp or attract insects.
Other hamster essentials
An appropriately sized wheel keeps a hamster active, and a carrier such as the TATRAPET Jumbo makes trips safe. All foods are in the food for ferrets and rodents section.
Who it suits
Hamster owners who want a varied seed mix with herb pellets, seeds and vegetables and no artificial additives.
Verdict
Special One for hamsters is a varied 24-ingredient seed mix with millet, cereals, herb pellets, pulses, seeds and dried vegetables, free of colourings and preservatives. The downsides are that hamsters may pick only the tasty bits, the site has no analysis or feeding guide, and dwarf hamsters should have the dried fruit and carob with care.
FAQ
How many ingredients does it have?
24.
What's the base of the mix?
Millet, wheat, barley and other cereals.
Does it contain colourings?
No, and no preservatives or artificial flavourings.
Is it suitable for Djungarian hamsters?
Yes, but limit the dried fruit.
How often should I feed?
Once a day, preferably in the evening.
Should I give anything besides the mix?
Yes, a little vegetables, greens and protein.
How much does the pack weigh?
500 g.
