Hello!
I decided to take some food research into my own hands and look into some bird/rodent foods, explaining why each may or may not be so great for mice. If you’re looking for a specific food you can use the “find” feature (Ctrl+f) or the “Outline” sidebar.
Do note that some of these foods are exclusive to certain countries. Always be sure you can actually access that food before you plan on feeding it. This is especially the case for Bunny’s line of foods, which are exclusive to Europe.
NOTE: Vitakraft recently made a bunch of changes to their foods. I have added only the new formulas to this list, so if you happen to have an older bag my commentary on it won’t exactly apply.
Last edit: 11/30/20
Artificial Dyes:
Some dyes have been tested to be carcinogenic, such as Green 3 and Red 3. Others, such as Red 40, have been shown to cause hyperactivity in human children, although the validity of this statement is debated. Generally, since it has no benefit to anyone involved, it's best to steer clear of dyes in general if possible.
These will be highlighted in orange on the ingredients list.
Sunflower Seeds, Soy, and Peanuts:
These are all potential allergens. Since pet shop mice aren't bred to high standards, these can be unfortunately common, making a food with these as a large portion of the diet undesirable. In addition, soy is not processed very well by mice on occasion, which can lead to a technically inaccurate GA. Wheat is also technically a potential allergen, but it is extremely difficult to come across a commercial mix that lacks it.
NOTE: Removing these allergens from the mix does not make the food okay! By removing pieces from the mix, you could be severely altering the GA depending on much that ingredient is used. It is far safer to get a food that doesn't contain these allergens from the start.
These will be highlighted in dark blue on the ingredients list.
Added Sugars:
While sugar on its own isn't bad, just like in humans, in excess, it isn't good for the body. If an added sugar (such as molasses) reads high on the ingredients list, this can also be a sign of a lower-quality food.
These will be highlighted in green on the ingredients list.
Unique Ingredients:
When looking to mix certain seed mixes together for variety, you’re generally going to be looking for two high-variety mixes with not many unique ingredients in common. However, keep in mind the placement of these unique ingredients--if they are listed after calcium carbonate/salt, they are likely not present in high amounts and will not have a large impact on the variety. These will be listed in the quick info section under the name of the food.
Calcium Carbonate / Salt:
Calcium carbonate is a preservative used in small amounts and is often the first preservative listed in ingredients lists. Any ingredients listed after this are likely present in very small amounts, meaning the overall variety may not be as good as implied if a lot are present after calcium carbonate. Salt can be a similar deciding factor.
The first of these will be highlighted in pink on the ingredients list.
Raisins:
The toxicity of raisins is controversial. They have been associated with kidney failure in larger animals like dogs, but they’re reported to not be toxic in more-related but less-studied hamsters. They also have a high sugar content. Due to this uncertainty, avoidance of these is recommended and will have an impact on the quality scoring if found in large quantities.
This will be highlighted in purple on the ingredients list.
Corn:
This can be used as a filler in some foods, used in bulking up the bag. While corn itself isn't bad and is definitely a good source of carbohydrates, it's much less nutritious than a base of a healthy grain, such as oats, millet, rice, or wheat.
NOTE: Again, removing corn from the diet is not a healthy way of fixing a diet. I strongly suggest using a food that uses corn sparingly if at all.
This will be highlighted in yellow on the ingredients list.
Hay:
Using hay as the main ingredient of a diet (both pellets or mueslis) can pose some problems. Simply put, mice aren’t made to consume hay. In nature, mice are insectivores/granivores (they eat grains and insects), so they aren’t adapted to process highly fibrous foods. A food high in hay can lead to malnourishment.
NOTE: Hay is safe to feed to mice! It’s just that having it be the primary source of nutrition isn’t healthy.
Grit (shells, gravel, etc):
Birds need grit to help grind down food in their crop. While grit is often purchased separately, it can also be found directly in some bird foods. While it’s unlikely your mouse will try to eat it, there is a risk that they might, which could harm them.
These will be highlighted in light blue on the ingredients list.
Unspecific / Other Dangerous Ingredients:
This could be something that’s unspecific (such as “meat by-product”) or something that’s straight up toxic (such as citrus). While some toxic ingredients can be ok in small amounts (namely orange, onions, leeks, and dairy products), not having them whatsoever is preferred.
These will be highlighted in red on the ingredients list.
Millet / Milo (Sorghum) / Quinoa:
More of a preference, but a notable one at that. These are all pretty small seeds that mice absolutely adore. While not a deciding factor, the lack of it partially or entirely can definitely impact the overall quality of the diet.
I won’t go into detail here, but Taxonomist covers it really well in this article about hamster diets.
As you can see I have taken some inspiration from it...just a dash...but, regardless, her whole series can be generally applied to mice, too, besides things like suggested GAs.
Anyways, basically, it would be a bit unfair to call a food potentially dangerous just because its ingredient list is vague. None of the European foods that use the “vague labelling method” will be rated as recommended per se because we just do not know exactly what is in them, but, provided the food looks good it, it will not be outright discouraged.
__ = Recommended (high in quality and variety; can be used as its own component or entirely on its own in terms of seed mixes)
__ = Alright (decent in quality and variety; may need boosting from another component to work; still a decent addition to a mix for a specific quality)
__ = Unrecommended (low in quality and/or variety; should generally be avoided but could work in a pinch)
__ = Potentially Dangerous (includes semi-high concentrations of dangerous/unspecific ingredients; should be avoided although the food may be safe)
__ = Dangerous (includes high concentrations of provenly dangerous ingredients; should be avoided at all costs)
Food Name
Artificial Dyes:
Potential Allergens:
Added Sugars:
Whole Ingredients:
Unique Ingredients:
Ingredients:
stuff
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein:
Fat:
Fiber:
Nutrition:
Variety:
Quality:
Seed Mixes
Brown's Tropical Carnival Gourmet Food for Hamsters and Gerbils
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 21
Unique Ingredients: 9 (safflower, pineapple, papaya, barley, squash seed, banana, lentil, pumpkin seed, sweet potato, pasta)
Ingredients:
Oat Groats, White Proso Millet, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Wheat, Milo, Corn, Safflower Seeds, Dried Pineapple, Dried Papaya, Barley, Peanuts, Stripe Sunflower Seeds, Dried Canadian Peas, Squash Seeds, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Dried Banana, Dried Carrots, Dried Lentils, Flaked Peas, Semolina Flour, Pumpkin Seeds, Raisins, Dried Sweet Potato, Pasta Product, Wheat Middlings, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Ground Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soy Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, DL-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Yucca schidigera Extract, Rosemary, Carotene, Artificial Banana Flavor, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Red #40, Blue #1, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6), Sulfur Dioxide (a preservative)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.5%
Fat: 7.5%
Fiber: 8.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fiber are fine, but the fat is a dash high.
Variety:
The variety of this food is truly excellent at 21 ingredients, all of which is before preservatives, leading to a good true variety as well.
Quality:
This food has plenty of unique ingredients, but also all of the potential allergens. Raisins are also in this food, as well as added dyes and sugars. Corn is at an ok level.
Bunny Dwarf Hamster Dream Basic
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 25
Unique Ingredients: 16 (barley, rice, chicken, grass seeds, parsnips, dandelion, yarrow, plantain, spent, sesame, chamomile, linseed, marigold, mealworms, carob, rose petals)
Ingredients:
Oats, barley, millet, canary seed, pea flakes, corn, wheat bran, oats, barley flakes, sunflower seed meal, silver millet, rice, wheat, alfalfa, carrots, chicken meat, red millet, grass seeds, parsnips, dandelion, calcium carbonate, yarrow, plantain, spent grains, sesame, chamomile flowers, linseeds, carrot residues, beets, brewer's yeast, herring meal, animal fat, inulin, marigold flowers, mealworms (0.3%), chicken liver extract, dried carob, salmon oil, linseed oil, lecithin, rose petals
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15.5%
Fat: 6.3%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are pretty high, but fiber is fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is fantastic at 25 ingredients, although 11 of these are after calcium carbonate. A few pellets are used in this mix but don’t appear to affect the great true variety.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. However, it also has a potential allergen in the form of sunflower seed meal. Overall, a great option for a seed mix.
Bunny Dwarf Hamster Dream Expert
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 24
Unique Ingredients: 18 (quinoa, barley, mung beans, amaranth, perilla, linseed, grass seed, parsnips, dandelion, lucerne, mealworms, yarrow, ribwort, sesame, beetroot, calendula, chamomile, rose blossoms)
Ingredients:
Yellow millet, canary seed, pea flakes, quinoa seeds (6%), barley, mung beans (5%), puffed amaranth (5%), barley flakes, oats, silver millet, perilla seeds (3%), red millet, carrots, linseeds (2%), grass seeds, parsnips, dandelion leaves, lucerne, mealworms (1%), yarrow, ribwort, sesame (1%), calcium carbonate, beetroot, calendula blossoms, chamomile blossoms, rose blossoms, wheat bran
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15.5%
Fat: 6.5%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are pretty high, but fiber is fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is fantastic at 24 ingredients, although five of these are after calcium carbonate. No pellets are used in this mix and it appears to have great true variety.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. It also has no corn and no potential allergens.
Bunny Gerbil Dream Basic
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 26
Unique Ingredients: 15 (spelt, lucerne, dari, dandelion, kamut, linseed, parsnip, chicory root, camomile, ribwort, sesame, beetroot, crickets, carob, mealworms)
Ingredients:
Plata millet, oats, barley, wheat bran, sunflower seed extracted, pea flakes, corn flakes, spelt flakes, silver millet, wheat, lucerne, corn, red millet, dari, dandelion leaves, canary seed, calcium carbonate, brewer's grain, carrots, kamut, linseed, carrot pomace, parsnips, chicory root, oat flakes, brewer's yeast, camomile blossoms, ribwort, inulin, sesame, beetroot, crickets (0,3%), carob, mealworms (0,2%)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 6.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is a bit low.
Variety:
Raw variety is fantastic at 26 ingredients, but half of them are listed after calcium carbonate. Still, very good true variety with no pellets.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. Corn is semi-low on the list, but there is a potential allergen in the form of sunflower seeds. Overall, a great mix with a lot of unique ingredients.
Bunny Gerbil Dream Expert
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 23
Unique Ingredients: 17 (spelt, quinoa, kamut, mung bean, dari, lucerne, dandelion, amaranth, parsnips, chicory, sesame, ribwort, beetroot, mealworms, camomile, crickets, semolina)
Ingredients:
Plata millet, canary seed, pea flakes, spelt flakes, quinoa seeds (6%), kamut, mung beans (5%), silver millet, oats, red millet, dari, lucerne, dandelion leaves (3%), amaranth puffed (2,5%), carrots, parsnips, chicory root, sesame, ribwort (1%), oat kernels, calcium carbonate, beetroot, mealworms (1%), camomile blossoms, crickets (0,2%), semolina bran
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 6.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is a bit low.
Variety:
Raw variety is fantastic at 26 ingredients, but 5 of them are listed after calcium carbonate. Still, very good true variety with no pellets.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. There’s no corn or potential allergens in this food. Overall, a great mix with a lot of interesting ingredients.
Bunny Hamster Dream Basic
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 25
Unique Ingredients: 15 (rice, poultry meat, grass seed, linseed, parsnip, beetroot, dandelion, yarrow, sesame, peppers, mealworms, chamomile, rosehip, carob, mallow)
Ingredients:
Oats, barley, millet, corn, canary seed, barley flakes, pea flakes, wheat, wheat bran, corn flakes, sunflower seed meal, carrots, oats, rice, silver millet, poultry meat, alfalfa, grass seed, red millet, linseeds, parsnips, calcium carbonate, brewer's grains, carrot pomace, beetroot, brewer's yeast, animal fat, dandelion, yarrow, sesame, herring meal, inulin, peppers, apples, mealworms (0.3%), chamomile, rosehip peels, carob, poultry liver extract, dried mallow, salmon oil, linseed oil, lecithin
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 7.6%
Nutrition:
Protein is pretty high, but fat and fiber are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is fantastic at 25 ingredients, although 12 of these are after calcium carbonate. A few pellets are used in this mix but don’t appear to affect the great true variety.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. It also has a potential allergen, and corn is semi-high on the list. The type of pepper is also unspecified but, again, it makes up a very small part of the mix, and all of Bunny’s other mixes use sweet/bell pepper so its safety is implied. A generally decent option for a seed mix.
Bunny Hamster Dream Expert
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 23
Unique Ingredients: 15 (mung beans, quinoa, sesame, linseed, grass seed, parsnip, mealworms, beetroot, yarrow, dandelion, lucerne, sweet pepper, rosehip, malva, semolina)
Ingredients:
Plata millet, canary seed, pea flakes, mung beans (6,5%), barley, oats, quinoa seeds (6%), corn, barley flakes, oat kernels, carrots (3,6%), sesame, silver millet, linseed, red millet, grass seed, parsnips (1,6%), mealworms (1%), calcium carbonate, beetroot (1%), yarrow, dandelion leaves, lucerne, sweet pepper, apples, rosehip, malva blossoms, semolina bran
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 6.5%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a little high; fiber is a bit low.
Variety:
Fantastic raw variety at 23 ingredients, but 9 of these are listed after calcium carbonate.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. However, this food has no potential allergens, and corn is semi-low on the list.
Bunny Mouse Dream Basic
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 28
Unique Ingredients: 14 (lucerne, hemp seed, sweet pepper, milk thistle seed, buckwheat, kardi seed, grass seed, linseed, ribwort, chicken, sesame, beetroot, camomile, carob)
Ingredients:
Oats, barley flakes, plata millet, pea flakes, barley, wheat bran, corn flakes, wheat flakes, sunflower seed extracted, wheat, corn, silver millet, lucerne, hemp seed, red millet, carrots, calcium carbonate, canary seed, sweet pepper, milk thistle seeds, buckwheat, kardi seed, brewer's grain, grass seed, linseed, carrot pomace, brewer's yeast, ribwort, chicken (0,5%), cheese (0,5%), sesame, inulin, oat kernels, apples, beetroot, camomile blossoms, carob
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14.1%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Fantastic raw variety at 28 ingredients, but 16 of these are listed after calcium carbonate. There are some pellets but not many.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. It also has a potential allergen in the form of sunflower seeds. Corn is on the list but relatively low on it. However, it contains cheese, which mice cannot have as they are lactose intolerant, but it is a rather negligible amount. It has a lot of unique ingredients, but most of them are after calcium carbonate.
Bunny Mouse Dream Expert
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 26
Unique Ingredients: 18 (quinoa, amaranth, kamut, buckwheat, kardi seed, sweet pepper, grass seed, sesame, ribwort, lucerne, perilla seed, hemp seed, beetroot, milk thistle seed, mealworm, buffalo worm, semolina)
Ingredients:
Plata millet, pea flakes, canary seed, barley flakes, quinoa seeds (6%), wheat flakes, amaranth puffed (5%), kamut, oat kernels, silver millet, corn crushed, buckwheat, oats, red millet, kardi seed, carrots, sweet pepper, grass seed (2%), sesame (1,5%), ribwort, lucerne, perilla seeds (1%), hemp seed, beetroot, apples, calcium carbonate, milk thistle seeds (0,5%), mealworms (0,5%), buffalo worms (0,4%), semolina bran
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 5.5%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Fantastic raw variety at 26 ingredients, but 4 of these are listed after calcium carbonate. True variety is also great.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. This food also lacks any potential allergens. Corn is on the list but quite low on it. It has a lot of unique ingredients, most of which are before calcium carbonate. Definitely a fantastic option (quite honestly the best on this list), especially since it’s already fortified for mice and may not need a pellet.
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 17
Unique Ingredients: 7 (bean, pumpkin seed, coconut, apple, cashew, papaya, pineapple)
Ingredients:
White Millet, Oats, Wheat, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Hay, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Middlings, Corn, Red Milo, Sunflower Seeds, Flaked Peas, Flaked Beans, Peanuts, Yellow Peas, Flaked Carrots, Flaked Corn, Pumpkin Seeds, Coconut, Raisins, Apples, Cashews, Papaya, Pineapple, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Soybean Meal, Cane Molasses, Vegetable Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Color Added (Algae Meal), DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 9.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a bit high; fat is fine.
Variety:
The variety of this food is excellent in both raw and true variety. Generally a nice, relatively seedy mix.
Quality:
While it does contain raisins and all the common allergens, the allergens are lower on the list and the use of mainly smaller seeds and no dyes is great.
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Rat and Mouse Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 23
Unique Ingredients: 12 (bean, papaya, beet, banana, brown rice, cranberries, blueberries, celery, parsley, lettuce, spinach, watercress)
Ingredients:
Red Milo, Oats, Corn, Wheat, White Millet, Sunflower Seeds, Flaked Beans, Peanuts, Green Split Peas, Flaked Peas, Flaked Carrots, Papaya, Beets, Green Peas, Bananas, Ground Corn, Brown Rice, Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Ground Wheat, Sun-Cured Timothy Hay, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Vegetable Oil, Cane Molasses, Sugar, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Color Added (Algae Meal, Annatto Extract, Turmeric, Beet Juice), Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Egg Product, Flaxseed, Calcium Carbonate, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Salt, Cranberries, Apples, Blueberries, Celery, Parsley, Lettuce, Spinach, Watercress, Brewer's Dried Yeast, DL-Methionine, Hemicellulose Extract, L-Lysine, Iron Oxide, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Rosemary Extract, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Extract, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Natural Citrus Flavor, Natural Banana Flavor, Natural Pineapple Flavor
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is fantastic at 23 ingredients, however, 8 of these are listed after calcium carbonate, salt, and some probiotics. Still, the true variety is quite nice--it’s not pellet heavy at all, but it does have a noticeable amount of sunflower seeds and corn
Quality:
This food lacks artificial dyes, but has two forms of added sugars and all of the potential allergens. Corn is also pretty high on the list. It has a decent amount of unique ingredients, but most are listed far after calcium carbonate. But, seeing as this food is great in most other regards and is already fortified for mice, it’s still a great food.
Little One Complete Food for Hamsters
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 14
Unique Ingredients: 4 (buckwheat, carob, lupin, pumpkin seed)
Ingredients:
Wheat, red millet, white sorghum, barley, multigrain pellets, peeled oat, sunflower seeds, barley flakes, maize flakes, buckwheat, carob (4,25%), pea flakes, wheat puffed, maize puffed, barley puffed, peanuts, maize, sweet lupin flakes, dried carrot, pumpkin seeds, fructooligosaccharides (0,2%), yucca extract (0,01%)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13.2%
Fat: 6.4%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are low; fiber is a dash low.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty good at 14 ingredients, and the true variety is also great. It has some pellets but they make up a relatively small portion of the mix.
Quality:
This food may contain added colors or sweeteners but this is unclear due to varying labelling laws. Otherwise, corn is pretty low on the list but split so it could technically be higher on the list. This food contains two of the potential allergens and potentially soy in the pellets, but they are relatively low on the list. Overall a great mix provided you can bring up the fiber a bit.
Little One Complete Food for Mice
Artificial Dyes: Unknown
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 16
Unique Ingredients: 5 (buckwheat, niger seed, lupin flakes, carob, hemp seed)
Ingredients:
Puffed wheat, wheat, yellow millet, white sorghum, extruded soya, red millet, peeled oat, buckwheat, canary seed, sunflower, corn, carrot flakes, Niger seed, corn flakes, pea flakes, lupin flakes, peanut, puffed corn, extruded corn, carob, hemp seed, dried banana, vitamins and minerals
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.4%
Fat: 5.9%
Fiber: 6.4%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is a dash low
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty great at 16 ingredients. The true variety is also pretty good--while there are some larger pieces, there’s still a wide variety of smaller pieces.
Quality:
This food may contain added colors or sweeteners but this is unclear due to varying labelling laws. Otherwise, corn is pretty low on the list but split so it could technically be higher on the list. All the potential allergens are present, but most of them are found in relatively small quantities. Plus, this food has plenty of unique ingredients in decent quantities. An all-round great mix that may not even need a pellet as it’s already fortified for mice.
Brown’s Encore Classic Natural Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Milo, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, White Proso Millet, Oat Groats, Wheat, Stripe Sunflower Seeds, Flaked Corn, Flaked Peas, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soy Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Dl-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary, and Carotene
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13.75%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 13%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine, but the fiber is a dash high.
Variety:
The raw variety is pretty mediocre at 7 ingredients, but this food appears to be a relatively seedy mix.
Quality:
There are no artificial dyes or added sugars, and corn is relatively low on the list. There are a few common allergens on this list, but no peanuts. Overall, not bad, but throwing in another muesli or calculating out more ingredients to this diet is recommended to improve the variety.
Brown’s Tropical Carnival Natural Mouse and Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 11
Unique Ingredients: 5 (brown rice, buckwheat, lentil, pumpkin seed, shrimp)
Ingredients:
Stripe Sunflower Seeds, Oat Groats, Peanuts, Brown Rice, Buckwheat, Wheat, Dried Lentils, Flaked Peas, Pumpkin Seeds, Flaked Corn, Dried Shrimp, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Rice Flour, Dehydrated Ground Raspberry, Dehydrated Ground Blueberry, Dehydrated Ground Strawberry, Dehydrated Ground Peach, Dehydrated Ground Apple, Dehydrated Ground Pineapple, Dehydrated Ground Banana, Dehydrated Ground Carrot, Dehydrated Ground Sweet Potato, Soy Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Dl-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary, Carotene
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16%
Fat: 10%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
Protein is a bit high, and the fat is very high. Fiber is fine.
Variety:
The raw variety is pretty good at 11 ingredients. The true variety is alright; the pieces are larger but there are very few pellets.
Quality:
One major factor this product boasts is the lack of soy, but it is very high in the other two common allergens. It also has plenty of very unique ingredients high on the list, and it also lacks artificial dyes and added sugars. Overall, if you can bring the fat down and add in smaller seeds, this could make for a great component to the diet.
Brown’s Tropical Carnival Parakeet Bird Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 20
Unique Ingredients: 12 (safflower, flaxseed, canola seed, rice, pineapple, papaya, strawberry, cranberry seed, banana, coconut, sweet potato, lentil)
Ingredients:
Canary Seed, White Proso Millet, Oat Groats, Red Millet, Wheat, Peanuts, Safflower Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Flaxseed, Canola Seed, Rice, Dried Carrots, Dried Pineapple, Dried Papaya, Dried Strawberry, Cranberry Seeds, Dried Banana, Dried Coconut, Dried Sweet Potato, Dried Lentils, Dried Peas, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soy Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Dl-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary, Carotene, Natural and Artificial Orange Flavor, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Red #40, Blue #1, Yellow #5, and Yellow #6), Sulfur Dioxide (a Preservative)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.5%
Fat: 7.5%
Fiber: 8.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fiber are fine, but fat is a bit high.
Variety:
The raw variety is fantastic at 21 ingredients. The true variety is also very good; there are nearly no pellets in this mix and it appears to be very seedy.
Quality:
Corn is very low on the list, but all of the common allergens are present and this food appears to be very brightly colored and full of artificial dyes. Still, it has a lot of unique ingredients in high quantities, so it may be worth incorporating with another mix.
Bunny Rat Dream Basic
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 20
Unique Ingredients: 10 (spelt, linseed, pumpkin seed, lucerne, sweet pepper, ribwort, chicken, camomile, beetroot, carob)
Ingredients:
Oats, corn, wheat, barley, wheat bran, barley flakes, sunflower seed extracted, corn flakes, pea flakes, spelt flakes, linseed (4%), pumpkin seeds (4%), lucerne, wheat flakes, calcium carbonate, carrots, brewer's grain, sweet pepper, carrot pomace, brewer's yeast, ribwort, inulin, chicken (0,5%), cheese (0,5%), camomile blossoms, apples, beetroot, carob
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14.3%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 6.8%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Fantastic raw variety at 20 ingredients, but 10 of these are listed after calcium carbonate. Pieces look a little big for what most mice will enjoy.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. It also has a potential allergen in the form of sunflower seeds, and corn is second on the list. There are also no small seeds in this mix. It also contains cheese, which mice cannot have as they are lactose intolerant, but it is a rather negligible amount.
Bunny Rat Dream Expert
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 23
Unique Ingredients: 14 (spelt, buckwheat, quinoa, pumpkin seed, amaranth, linseed, sweet pepper, ribwort, lucerne, perilla seed, beetroot, mealworm, buffalo worm, semolina)
Ingredients:
Corn crushed, spelt flakes, pea flakes, barley, barley flakes, oat flakes, oat kernels, buckwheat, wheat flakes, plata millet, quinoa seeds (4,5%), canary seed, pumpkin seeds husked (3%), amaranth puffed (2,5%), linseed (2%), sweet pepper, carrots, ribwort, lucerne, silver millet, perilla seeds (1%), beetroot, apples, red millet, calcium carbonate, mealworms (0,5%), buffalo worms (0,4%), semolina bran
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 5.5%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is a dash low.
Variety:
Fantastic raw variety at 23 ingredients, but 3 of these are listed after calcium carbonate.
Quality:
This food likely has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. Corn is first on the list. Smaller seeds like millet and quinoa are rather low on the list.
Hartz Small Bird Diet for Parakeets, Canaries, and Finches
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 6
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
White Millet, Red Millet, Whole Wheat, Canary Grass Seed, Oat Groats, Red Milo, Ground Corn, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cane Molasses, Corn Distillers Dried Grains, Salt, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Magnesium Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Mixed Tocopherols (A preservative), Mineral Oil, Silicon Dioxide, Citric Acid (A preservative), Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Vegetable Oil, Rosemary Extract, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K activity), Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B Supplement, Color Added (Red #40, Blue #1, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow #6, Yellow #5, Red #3), Folic Acid, Vitamin D Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 11%
Fat: 3%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
All components are a bit low.
Variety:
The raw variety of this food is pretty low at only 6 ingredients, but this food is very small and seedy.
Quality:
This food does contain some added dyes and sugar, but the only common allergen is soy. Corn is also semi-low on the list. With some added variety this could make for a good addition to a mix.
Higgins Sunburst Parakeet Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 24
Unique Ingredients: 14 (canola seed, egg, rice, caraway seed, cashew, coconut, spinach, cranberries, blueberries, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress)
Ingredients:
White Millet, Oats, Canary Seeds, Red Millet, Wheat, Ground Corn, Flaxseed, Canola, Dried Egg Product, Brown Rice, Soybean Meal, Caraway Seeds, Flaked Carrots, Cashews, Coconut, Sunflower Seeds, Papaya, Pineapple, Sugar, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Spinach, Calcium Carbonate, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Algae Meal, Salt, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Cranberries, Apples, Blueberries, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Brewer's Dried Yeast, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Rosemary Extract, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Extract, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C) Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Color Added (Annatto Extract, Turmeric, Beet Juice), Natural Banana Flavor, Natural Pineapple Flavor, Natural Citrus Flavor, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is fantastic at 24 ingredients, but 8 of these are listed far after calcium carbonate and salt. The true variety is alright--it is very millet heavy, but if that’s what you need in a mix it's perfect.
Quality:
This food has a couple potential allergens and added sugars, but otherwise it’s quite good. Corn is semi-low on the list, the first several ingredients are whole, and all the dyes are from natural sources. Overall not a bad option for a small seed-booster.
Higgins Vita Garden Rat and Mouse Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes(?)
Whole Ingredients: 10(?)
Unique Ingredients: 2 (bean, beet)
Ingredients:
White Millet, Wheat, Red Milo, Oats, Corn, Sunflower Seeds, Timothy Hay, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Hay, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Cane Molasses, Carrots, Flaked Peas, Flaked Beans, Beets, Dicalcium Phosphate, Lignin Sulfonate, Salt, Hemicellulose Extract, Algae Meal, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 4.5%
Fiber: 11%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is ok at 10 ingredients, which is reflected pretty well in the true variety. While the diversity is low, this is a nice, seedy mix.
Quality:
All the potential allergens are present and there is an added sweetener. However, there are no artificial dyes and corn is semi-low on the list.
The actual ingredients of this food are inconsistent, with some sites listing a lack of flaked peas, which are obviously seen on images of the bag, and Higgins’s website doesn’t list the added sugar. Peanuts are also seen in the images but never listed in the ingredients. If anyone happens to actually get this food I’d love to see the actual list on the bag, but until then these inconsistencies are pretty minor and shouldn’t affect your choice too much.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Canary and Finch Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: 3 (rape seed, niger seed, flax seed)
Ingredients:
Canary Grass Seed, Small Yellow Millet, Rape Seed, Oat Groats, Niger Seed, Flax Seed (source of omega-3), Red Millet, White Millet, Ground Corn, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat, Ground Rice, Hulled Sunflower Seed, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Wheat Middlings, Salt, Ground Flax Seed, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharide, Wheat Germ Meal, L-Lysine, Brewers Dried Yeast, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Coconut Oil, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Yeast Extract, Orange Oil, Ferrous Sulfate, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Marigold Extract, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Sulfate, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Beta-Carotene, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Canthaxant
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16%
Fat: 10%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a bit high; fiber is fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty low at 7 ingredients (one after calcium carbonate), but the true variety is pretty good. This appears to be a very seedy mix.
Quality:
Corn is relatively low on the list, and so are the potential allergens. This food contains orange oil, but in relatively small amounts. No artificial dyes or sugars are used, interestingly enough for Kaytee. Overall a good mix, but could use some more, semi-large components for variety.
Little One Complete Food for Gerbils
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 15
Unique Ingredients: 6 (carob, buckwheat, banana, lupin, pumpkin seed, bean)
Ingredients:
wheat puffed, wheat, red millet, barley flakes, maize puffed, multigrain pellets, barley puffed, barley, maize red, canary seed, maize flakes, carob, buckwheat, pea flakes, dried banana (2,8%), sweet lupin flakes, spray millet, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried carrot, peanut, bean flakes, fructooligosaccharides (0,4%), yucca extract (0,01%)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 11.9%
Fat: 4.9%
Fiber: 5%
Nutrition:
Protein is a touch low, fiber is low, and fat is fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty good at 15. True variety is also really good, although it doesn’t appear to have too many smaller seeds.
Quality:
Corn is semi-low on the list, and the potential allergens it has are low on it too. However, the pellets may contain soybean meal. This food may contain added colors or sweeteners but this is unclear due to varying labelling laws. Overall a really nice mix that just needs some GA work and smaller seeds.
Little One Complete Food for Rats
Artificial Dyes: Unknown
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 11
Unique Ingredients: 4 (buckwheat, lupin, carob, banana)
Ingredients:
Wheat, barley flakes, peeled oat, multigrain pellets, wheat puffed, barley, maize red (5,85%), oat, maize flakes, pea flakes, carob, sweet lupin flakes, maize puffed, dried banana (2,5%), buckwheat, sunflower seeds, bean flakes, fructooligosaccharides (0,6%), yucca extract (0,01%)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.2%
Fat: 4.1%
Fiber: 4.3%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is low.
Variety:
Raw variety is decent at 11 ingredients, but the true variety is pretty good. While the food lacks smaller seeds and has a couple pellets, the variety besides that is great.
Quality:
Corn is semi-low on the list but split. The sole potential allergen is low on the list, but the pellets could contain soybean meal. Provided this food is mixed with a seedy, high-fiber bird seed, it should make for a great food.
Rio Daily Feed for Budgies
Artificial Dyes: Unlikely
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: 6 (potentially more)
Unique Ingredients: 3 (linseed, niger seed, algae)
Ingredients:
yellow millet, red millet, canary seed, peeled oat, black millet (4%), linseed (3%), oat (2%), Niger seed, healthy seeds, algae (0,1%), calcium gluconate (0,2%)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.2%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 10.2%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty low at 6, but the true variety is really good. This is a very seedy mix with no pellets.
Quality:
Calcium gluconate may cause issues since mice tend to not be calcium deficient (unlike birds), but seeing as this should be mixed with another food and most mice easily expel excess calcium through their urine this should be fine. Otherwise, this food has no potential allergens or corn. It could have added colors or sugars, but due to varying labelling laws this is unclear. Overall, a great seedy addition to another, high-raw-variety mix.
Sleek and Sassy Nutritional Diet Garden Small Animal Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 12
Unique Ingredients: 3 (safflower, banana, pumpkin seed)
Ingredients:
Whole Wheat, Whole Corn, Cracked Corn, Oat Groats, Black Oil Sunflower, Green Split Peas, White Proso Millet, Milo, Dehydrated Carrot Dice, Grey Stripe Sunflower, Black Stripe Sunflower, Safflower, Banana Chips, Ground Corn, Dehydrated Alfalfa, In-Shell Raw Peanuts, Pumpkin (Squash) Seed, Ground Whole Oats, Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Meal, Ground Barley, Ground Whole Oats, Linseed Meal, Molasses, Di- calcium Phosphate, Limestone Flour, Salt, Brewers Yeast, Live Yeast Culture
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.75%
Fat: 6.75%
Fiber: 9.75%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty good at 12 ingredients. True variety is also pretty nice and has very few pellets, but this food appears to have a lot of sunflower seeds and some larger pieces (banana chips and whole peanuts).
Quality:
This food contains no dyes, but it has some potential allergens, added sugars, and corn is pretty high on the ingredients list. It also has a notable lack of soy. Overall, though, this food would be a pretty decent option for mice without food allergies.
Sunseed Sunsations Natural Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 14
Unique Ingredients: 5 (soybean, lentil, bean, mung bean, potato)
Ingredients:
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
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 3%
Fiber: 13%
Nutrition:
Protein is a bit high, fat is a bit low. Fiber is ok.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty good at 14 ingredients. True variety is not bad either; there’s plenty of wheat/oats, but there’s also a decent amount of pellets as reflected in the ingredients list.
Quality:
This food contains no added dyes or sugars, but has some potential allergens in the form of sunflower seeds and soy. Corn is pretty low on the list, but timothy meal is high on it, meaning there’s likely a larger pellet content than the images may show. It also lacks smaller seeds like millet and milo.
Sunseed Vita Prima Parakeet Diet
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 12
Unique Ingredients: 7 (flax seed, safflower seed, rice, apple, parsley, mountain ash berries, coconut)
Ingredients:
White Millet, Oat Groats, Canary Grass Seed, Red Millet, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Steel Cut Corn, Golden German Millet, Steam Rolled Oats, Ground Corn, Flax Seed, Ground Wheat, Calcium Carbonate, Wheat Middlings, Ground White Millet, Ground Barley, Ground Sorghum, Safflower Seeds, Brewers Rice, Dehydrated Carrots, Dehydrated Apple, Dried Parsley Stems, Mountain Ash Berries, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ground Oat Groats, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Ground Buckwheat, Ground Spelt, Vegetable Oil, Dried Dehydrated Coconut, Ground Flax Seed, L-Lysine, Salt, Wheat Germ Meal, Potassium Chloride, Ground Roasted Soybeans, Orange Oil Extract, Ground Rolled Oats, Ground Chia Seeds, Ground Quinoa Seeds, Apple Pomace, Ground Banana, Ground Papaya, DL-Methionine, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Orange Oil Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Carmine (color), Vitamin E Supplement, Fructooligosaccharide, Raspberry Powder, Strawberry Powder, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Yeast Culture, Pot Marigold, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Folic Acid, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Ground Carrots, Ground Celery, Ground Beets, Ground Parsley, Ground Lettuce, Ground Watercress, Ground Spinach, Cobalt Sulfate, Citric Acid (a preservative), Ascorbic Acid (a preservative), Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
The nutrition of this is spot on for pet shop mice.
Variety:
The variety is pretty good at 12 ingredients, however, 8 of these are listed after calcium carbonate, making the true variety not the greatest. This food also appears to be pretty high in pellets.
Quality:
Corn is kept out of the first few ingredients. It also doesn't have any added sugar, and the dyes used are from natural sources. They also appear to flavor their pellets with fruits and vegetables, plus there appear to be some interesting ingredients in them like barley, buckwheat, and quinoa. Still, there isn’t exactly anything notable about this mix, and it doesn’t serve the purpose a bird seed mix is supposed to serve: to add a high concentration of smaller seeds to a mix. It’s not a bad mix per se, but there are better options.
Vitakraft VitaNature Hamster and Gerbil Food
This food appears to be discontinued, but I figured I’d keep it up just in case.
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 15
Unique Ingredients: 4 (soybean, lentil, bean, potato)
Ingredients:
Oats, Wheat, Heat-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 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
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 13%
Nutrition:
Protein is a bit high, but fat and fiber are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty good at 15 ingredients, which is well reflected in the true variety. There are some pellets, but this is nicely balanced with the other ingredients.
Quality:
Corn is nice and low on the list and no added dyes or sweeteners are used. However, there are some potential allergens and a noticeable lack of smaller seeds. Overall, this would make for a great part of a seed mix in conjunction with a seedy bird food.
VitaKraft VitaSmart Parakeet Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 12
Unique Ingredients: 8 (flax seed, papaya, pineapple, mountain ash berries, calendula, coconut, egg, spinach)
Ingredients:
White Millet, Oat Groats, Canary Grass Seed, Ground Corn, Red Millet, Golden German Millet, Ground Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Steam-Rolled Oats, Corn Gluten Meal, Flax Seed, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Oat Groats, Dehydrated Papaya, Dehydrated Pineapple, Dried Mountain Ash Berries, Dried Calendula Flower, Dehydrated Coconut, Dried Egg, Dehydrated Spinach, Ground Rolled Oats, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Oil, Salt, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, 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, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Fructooligosaccharide, Algae Meal, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, DL-Methionine, Yeast Culture, Orange Oil Extract, 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 Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
The nutrition is great for pet shop mice.
Variety:
The raw variety is alright at 12 ingredients, but 7 of the ingredients are listed after calcium carbonate, leading to a lower true variety.
Quality:
A good, seedy mix with few allergens (dehulled soybean meal). Corn is a bit high on the ingredient list and there are added dyes. It has orange oil extract in it, but it’s extremely low on the list and is unlikely to cause any issues.
White Mill Pure (Puur) Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 18
Unique Ingredients: 10 (buckwheat, paddy rice, bean, safflower, banana, flax seed, bell pepper, buffalo worm, parsnip, rosehip)
Ingredients:
Corn Meal, Oats, Wheat, Pea Flakes, Buckwheat, Oat Flakes, Wheat Flakes, Sunflower Seed Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Paddy Rice, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Carrot, Bean Flakes, Puffed Rice, Puffed Wheat, Raisins, Safflower Seeds, Dried Banana, Dried Egg Powder, Flax Seed, Corn Flour, Pea Fiber, Dried Bell Pepper, Dried Buffalo Worms, Dried Parsnip, Dried Rosehips, Shelled Peanuts, Calcium Carbonate, Sunflower Oil, Corn Germ, Dried Apple, Soy Meal, Inulin, Soy Protein, Yucca Meal, Dextrose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Papaya, Turmeric Meal, Dried Eucalyptus, Dried Nettle, Dried Parsley, Lecithin, Dried Celery, L-Lysine, Dried Marigold., Yeast Extract, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulphate, Niacin, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), Copper Sulphate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Oregano Extract, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Cholecalciferol (Source Of Vitamin D3), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Dl-Methionine
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13%
Fat: 6.5%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is great at 18 ingredients with only one listed after calcium carbonate. This food seems to be semi-pellet heavy but the variety still appears to be there.
Quality:
This food contains no added colors or sweeteners and the allergens it has are pretty low on the list. However, cornmeal is the first ingredient on the list.
Wild Harvest Hamster and Gerbil Advanced Nutrition Diet
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 24
Unique Ingredients: 12 (cranberry, potato, banana, blueberry, flax seed, cabbage, celery, parsley, bell pepper, zucchini, tomato, spinach)
Ingredients:
Oat Groats, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Heat-processed Soybeans, Whole Corn, White Millet, Milo, Wheat Middlings, Wheat, Ground Corn, Soybean Meal, Soybean Hulls, Green Split Peas, Yellow Split Peas, Feeding Oatmeal, Sunflower Seeds, Dried Cranberries, Dried Carrot, Dried Potato Flakes, Dried Banana Chips, Peanuts, Dried Blueberries, Mineral Oil, Cane Molasses, Salt, Soybean Oil, Dried Onion, Flax Seed, Titanium Dioxide, Dried Cabbage Flakes, Dried Celery Flakes, Dried Parsley Flakes, Dried Red Bell Pepper, Dried Green Bell Pepper, Dried Leek Flakes, Dried Zucchini Flakes, Dried Tomato Flakes, Dried Spinach Flakes, Ground Limestone, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement,dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K), Folic Acid,Biotin, Magnesium Oxide, Ferrous Carbonate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Color Added: FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #6
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
The protein is a bit high, but the fat and fiber are good.
Variety:
With 24 ingredients, this food has great raw variety, however, note that 10 of these are listed after salt. The true variety is ok; the food does contain a lot of pellets and corn but it does contain a good amount of smaller seeds.
Quality:
This food contains some potentially harmful ingredients in the form of onions and leek. However, these are listed rather low on the list (both are after salt), so the effects of these are drastically reduced. Mixing this food with another, non-onion-and-leek-containing food is strongly recommended to reduce consumption of these. Besides that, added dyes are used as well as added sugars. In fact, titanium dioxide is unusually high on the list. Corn is semi-high on the list, and all of the common allergens are in this food. A bunch of the unique ingredients are also listed after salt.
All Living Things Market Medley Hamster and Gerbil Diet
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Wheat, Milo, Wheat Middlings, Millet, Corn, Sunflower Seeds, Soybean Meal, Oat Groats, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distiller's Dried Grains With Solubles, Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Green Pea Splits, Flaxseed Meal, Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Carbonate, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Bitoin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is low at only 7 ingredients, one being listed after calcium carbonate and salt. True variety is also quite low--while this food has some millet and milo, it appears to have a lot of pellets and sunflower seeds, too.
Quality:
No artificial dyes or sweeteners are used, and corn is semi-high on the list. There are a few of the potential allergens present in high quantities.
Brown’s Encore Premium Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 6
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Oat Groats, Corn, White Proso Millet, Milo, Stripe Sunflower Seeds, Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Ground Barley, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soy Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, DL-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium thermophilum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary, Carotene, Artificial Banana Oil, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.25%
Fat: 4.5%
Fiber: 11%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is low at only 6 ingredients, and the true variety is arguably worse. This food is very pellet heavy with lots of corn and sunflower seeds.
Quality:
This food contains artificial dyes, added sugars, and all of the potential allergens. The first ingredient is also alfalfa.
Brown’s Tropical Carnival Natural Gourmet Hamster and Gerbil Diet
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 9
Unique Ingredients: 2 (pumpkin seed, banana)
Ingredients:
Oat Groats, Striped Sunflower Seeds, Wheat, Peanuts, Flaked Peas, Pumpkin Seeds, Dried Banana, Raisins, Wheat Flour, Ground Corn, Ground Oats, Corn Gluten Meal, Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Dehydrated Ground Apple, Dehydrated Ground Apricot, Dehydrated Ground Carrot, Dehydrated Ground Cherry, Dehydrated Ground Cranberry, Dehydrated Ground Sweet Potato, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Soybean Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Menhaden Fish Oil (Source of DHA & Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Manganese Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, DL-Methionine, Zinc Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Pediococcus acidilactici Fermentation Product, Biotin, Folic Acid, Lecithin, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Citric Acid (a preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Colors Added (Beta-Carotene, Turmeric, Paprika, Carmine)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15.75%
Fat: 8%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a bit high, but fiber is fine.
Variety:
This food’s raw variety is ok at 9 ingredients, however, all of these 9 ingredients are listed first. This food does not appear to be pellet heavy at all.
Quality:
While this food has added dyes, they are from natural sources, eliminating the risk artificial dyes pose. This food has all of it’s raw ingredients first, and also appears to have some fruit powders mixed into the pellets, which may entice your mouse to be more fond of the few pellets in this food. However, all of the common allergens are in this food, and what ingredients it does have are quite large. It also has a very good portion of raisins, which are questionable.
Grreat Choice Nutritious Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Wheat, Milo, Corn, Sunflower Seeds, Wheat Middlings, Oat Groats, Soybean Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles, Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Peas, Flaxseed Meal Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, Dl-Methionine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Biotin, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Active Dry Yeast, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Amyloloquefaciens Fermentation Solubles, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is low at only 6 ingredients, one being listed after calcium carbonate. True variety is also quite low--while this food has a good amount of smaller pieces, it appears to also have plenty of pellets, corn, and sunflower seeds.
Quality:
No artificial dyes or sweeteners are used, but corn is high on the list. Two of the potential allergens present in relatively high quantities, too.
Grreat Choice Nutritious Mouse and Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Corn, Milo, Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Sunflower Seeds, Soybean Meal, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles, Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Flaxseed Meal, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Carbonate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Biotin, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrite, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Active Dry Yeast, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens Fermentation Solubles, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Solubles, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is low at only 7 ingredients. True variety is also quite low--while this food has some smaller pieces, it appears to be mainly pellets, corn, and sunflower seeds.
Quality:
No artificial dyes or sweeteners are used, but corn is first on the list. All of the potential allergens present in relatively high quantities, too.
Hartz Bonanza Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 15
Unique Ingredients: 5 (pumpkin seed, soybean, banana, papaya, navy bean)
Ingredients:
Wheat Middlings, Whole Wheat, Whole Com, Ground Corn, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Red Milo, Cracked Corn, White Millet, Green Split Peas, Oat Groats, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Soybean Hulls, Soy Flour, Striped Sunflower Seeds, Shelled Peanuts, Toasted Corn Flakes, Soybean Oil, Roasted Soybeans, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Dried Bananas, Corn Gluten Meal, Rolled Oats, Raisins, Calcium Carbonate, Beet Molasses, Dried Papaya, Dried Carrots, Navy Beans, Cane Molasses, Dicalcium Phosphate, Wheat Flour, Dried Whey, Choline Chloride, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Mineral Oil, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Ferrous Sulfate, Kaolin, Magnesium Oxide, Calcium Propionate (a preservative), Color Added (Yellow #5, Blue #1, Yellow #6, Titanium Dioxide, Red #40, Red #3), Corn Distillers Dried Grains, Sodium Selenite, DL-Methionine, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Sulfate, Rice Hulls, Biotin, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Propionic Acid (a preservative), Folic Acid, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Silicon Dioxide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Citric Acid (a preservative), Vegetable Oil, Rosemary Extract, Sodium Selenate, Calcium Iodate
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.5%
Fat: 5.5%
Fiber: 11.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is a bit high.
Variety:
The raw variety is pretty good at 15 ingredients, but the true variety is pretty lacking. This food appears to mainly be pellets, corn, and sunflower seeds.
Quality:
Dyes are unusually high on the list. Corn is high on the list and split multiple times, and raisins are in this food, too. All of the common allergens are in this food.
Higgins Vita Seed Parakeet Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 19
Unique Ingredients: 13 (hemp seeds, dried egg, brown rice, papaya, flaxseed, cranberries, blueberries, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, spinach, watercress)
Ingredients:
White Millet, Oats, Canary Seeds, Red Millet, Hemp Seeds, Ground Corn, Dried Egg Product, Brown Rice, Soybean Meal, Papaya, Ground Wheat, Carrots, Sugar, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseed, Calcium Carbonate, Algae Meal, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Salt, Cranberries, Apples, Blueberries, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Spinach, Watercress, Brewer's Dried Yeast, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Rosemary Extract, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Extract, Iron Oxide, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K), Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Turmeric, Beet Juice, Annatto Extract, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Natural Citrus Flavor, Natural Banana Flavor, Natural Pineapple Flavor
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 11.5%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
Protein is slightly low; fat and fiber are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty great at 19 ingredients, but the true variety is very poor. This food is extremely heavy in millet and everything else appears to only be present in small quantities. In addition, 9 of the ingredients, all of which are unique, are listed after calcium carbonate. However, not many pellets are used.
Quality:
Corn is semi-low on the list, and no added dyes are used. There are also several unique ingredients, albeit most are present in small quantities. This food also contains none of the potential allergens. Overall, this food wouldn’t be bad to add to a high-variety seed mix (and potentially a pellet), but there are better options with more true variety.
Kaytee Fiesta Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 17
Unique Ingredients: 4 (banana, safflower, papaya, sweet potato)
Ingredients:
Corn, Oats, Ground Corn, Wheat, Milo, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Sunflower Seed, Millet, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Green Split Peas, Oat Groats, Ground Wheat, Shelled Peanuts, Barley, Ground Oats, Seed, Raisins, Dehydrated Carrots, Dried Bananas, Safflower Seed, Yellow Field Peas, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Rice, Dried Papaya, Soybean Oil, Wheat Middlings, Salt, Rice Flour, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dried Cane Molasses, Ground Flax Seed (Source of Omega-3), Dehydrated Apples, Cracked Corn, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Dextrose, Maltodextrins, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hulled Millet,Yeast Extract, Wheat Germ Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Gelatin, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sesame Seed, Ferrous Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide ( Color), Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Dried Reduced Lactose Whey, Dried Nonfat Yogurt Powder, Hulled Sunflower Seed, Dried Pineapple, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K activity), Honey, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vanilla, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Natural Flavor, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #3, FD&C Yellow #5 Lake
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13.5%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 10%
Nutrition:
Nutrition is good for a pet shop mouse.
Variety:
While the variety seems great at 17 ingredients, this food appears to be very corn and pellet heavy. It does have some smaller, seedy components, though.
Quality:
Corn is listed as the first ingredient and is split, and there are added dyes (namely Red 3) and sugars. Raisins are also in this mix. Overall, not high in quality.
Kaytee Fiesta Mouse and Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 18
Unique Ingredients: 7 (banana, papaya, pumpkin seed, pineapple, almond, egg, sesame)
Ingredients:
Corn, Ground Corn, Wheat, Sunflower Seed, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Rolled Oats, Oat Groats, Shelled Peanuts, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Rolled Barley, Milo, Millet, Ground Wheat, Whole Peanuts, Ground Oats, Dried Bananas, Dehydrated Carrots, Raisins, Dried Papaya, Green Split Peas, Pumpkin Seeds, Yellow Peas, Wheat Middlings, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Rice, Dried Pineapple, White Northern Beans, Ground Flax Seed (Source of Omega-3), Salt, Soybean Oil, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Cane Molasses, Ground Peanuts, Dried Molasses Beet Pulp, Dextrose, Fructooligosaccharide, Almond Slices, Dried Whole Egg, L-Lysine, Maltodextrins, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Yeast Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Brewers Dried Yeast, Wheat Germ Meal, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Sesame Seed, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Dried Reduced Lactose Whey, Dried Nonfat Yogurt Powder, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vanilla, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Selenite, Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Natural Flavor, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #3, FD&C Yellow #6 Lake
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13.5%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 10%
Nutrition:
Fat is a dash high, but protein and fiber are good.
Variety:
While the ingredient count at 17 may make the mix sound great, when looking at the food, it appears to be heavily reliant on pellets, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. The true variety is less appealing and potentially dangerous depending on your mouse's origin.
Quality:
This food contains a lot of potential allergens in the form of sunflower seeds, soy, and peanuts. Corn is listed as the first two ingredients and is immediately split. Artificial dyes, notably Red 3 and titanium dioxide, which is higher on the list, and added sugars are also used. Most of the unique ingredients are also after calcium carbonate.
Kaytee Fiesta Variety Mix Parakeet Bird Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 23
Unique Ingredients: 15 (niger seed, safflower, flax seed, sesame, rape seed, buckwheat, rice, caraway seed, papaya, fennel seed, anise seed, spinach, coconut, lettuce seed, egg)
Ingredients:
Millet, Canary Grass Seed, Oat Groats, Wheat, Ground Corn, Niger Seed, Safflower, Flax Seed, Hulled Sesame Seed, Rape Seed, Peanut Pieces, Dehydrated Carrots, Buckwheat, Rice, Calcium Carbonate, Hulled Sunflower, Caraway Seed, Dried Papaya, Ground Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Fennel Seed, Anise Seed, Ground Rice, Dehydrated Spinach, Coconut, Lettuce Seed, Wheat Middlings, Dehydrated Apples, Dicalcium Phosphate, Soy Oil, Salt, Algae Meal (Source of Omega-3 DHA), Dried Whole Egg, Dried Beet Pulp, Wheat Germ Meal, L-Lysine, Fructooligosaccharide, Hulled Millet, Cracked Corn, Small Yellow Millet, Hulled Sunflower, Dextrose, Brewers Dried Yeast, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Yeast Extract, Dl-Methionine, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Gelatin, Honey, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Orange Oil, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Copper Sulfate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Canthaxanthin, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Biotin, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Selenite, Artificial Color
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14.5%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 10%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a bit high, but fiber is fine.
Variety:
At 23 ingredients, this food has an outstanding raw variety. The true variety is also quite good.
Quality:
While this food doesn’t specify what artificial colors it uses, this food appears to be rather high in it, which can signify a low-quality food. Corn is semi-high on the list, and all of the common allergens are in this mix.
Kaytee Food From the Wild Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 10
Unique Ingredients: 2 (pumpkin seed, rose petals)
Ingredients:
Sun-cured Timothy Grass Hay, Sunflower Seed, Rolled Oat Groats, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Wheat Middlings, Ground Wheat, Millet, Milo, Ground Corn, Shelled Peanuts, Soybean Hulls, Pumpkin Seed, Dehydrated Carrot, Dried Rose Petals, Puffed Barley, Puffed Wheat, Ground Oats, Fried Cane Molasses, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Soybean Oil, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex (Source of Vitamin K activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Dried ASpergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 18%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a bit high. Fiber is very high.
Variety:
The raw variety is pretty ok at 10 ingredients, but the true variety is very low, being made mostly of pellets and large seeds.
Quality:
Hay is the primary ingredient, and added sugars are used. All of the common allergens are in this food. On the bright side, it contains no artificial dyes.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 8
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Corn, Ground Corn, Wheat, Sunflower Seed, Millet, Milo, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Oat Groats, Ground Wheat, Ground Oat Hulls, Shelled Peanuts, Dried Field Peas, Ground Oats, Green Split Peas, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Wheat Middlings, Salt, Dried Cane Molasses, Ground Rice, Soybean Oil, Ground Flax Seed (Source of Omega-3), Coconut Oil, Dl-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Tetra Sodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Sodium Bentonite, Yeast Extract, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract (Source of Protease), Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1,FD&C Red #40, FD&C Red #3
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 10%
Nutrition:
Nutrition is fine as is.
Variety:
Raw variety is ok at 8 ingredients. The true variety is iffy: there are a lot of pellets, sunflower seeds, and corn, but there are some smaller, seedier components.
Quality:
Corn makes up the first two ingredients on the list, and all of the common allergens are in this food. Added dyes and sugars are also used.
Kaytee Supreme Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 5
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Rolled Corn, Rolled Oat Groats, Rolled Barley, Sunflower, Soybean Meal, Peanuts, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Wheat Middlings, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Meal, Salt, Brewers Dried Yeast, Lignin Sulfonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dl-Methionine, Iron Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Soy Oil, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 10%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
This food has a very poor raw variety at only 5 ingredients. While the true variety appears to be ok, it’s still pretty heavy in corn, pellets, and sunflower seeds. It also lacks smaller seeds.
Quality:
Corn is first on the list. This food also contains added sugars and all of the potential allergens. Overall a very bland food and does not fit the purpose of a seed mix.
Kaytee Supreme Parakeet Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 3
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
White Millet, Canary Grass Seed, Oat Groats, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Corn, Calcium Carbonate, Wheat Middlings, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Soy Oil, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Wheat Germ Meal, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Dl-Methionine, Orange Oil, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 3.5%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
Protein and fiber are fine, but the fat is quite low.
Variety:
The raw variety of this mix is very low at only 3 ingredients, but the true variety is good for what it is. A very seedy mix, but you’re better off buying the ingredients yourself.
Quality:
There are no added dyes or sugars, but there is a common allergen in the form of soy. Corn is semi-high on the list, but I would believe it to be quite a small portion of the mix due to the lack of many pellets.
Manna Pro Hamster & Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Wheat, Milo, Millet, Corn, Sunflower Seeds, Wheat Middlings, Oat Groats, Soybean Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles, Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Peas, Flaxseed Meal, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate., Calcium Iodate, Active Dry Yeast, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens Fermentation Solubles, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Solubles, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is low at 6 ingredients, which is reflected in the true variety. This food appears to be very heavy in sunflower seeds, but does have some seedy bits.
Quality:
This food contains no added colors or sweeteners, but contains sunflower seeds and corn in high amounts.
Manna Pro Rat & Mouse Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Corn, Milo, Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Sunflower Seeds, Soybean Meal, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles, Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Flaxseed Meal, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate., Calcium Iodate, Active Dry Yeast, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Solubles, Dried Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens Fermentation Solubles, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Solubles, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is low at 7 ingredients, which is reflected in the true variety. This food appears to be very heavy in sunflower seeds and corn.
Quality:
This food contains no added colors or sweeteners, but contains all the potential allergens in high amounts and a lot of corn.
Mr Johnson’s Supreme Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No(?)
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 10
Unique Ingredients: 3 (bean, locust bean, banana)
Ingredients:
Concentrate nuts (wheatfeed, extracted sunflower, straw, sugar beet, calcium carbonate, molasses, grassmeal, sodium chloride, vegetable oil, vitamin & trace element premix), kibbled maize, flaked maize, flaked peas, flaked beans, whole wheat, wheat extrusions*, sunflower seeds, locust bean extrusions, flaked naked oats, dried carrot, dried banana, peanuts, Verm-X herb blend, Soya oil
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 18%
Fat: 4.5%
Fiber: 5.5%
Nutrition:
Protein is high, fiber is low, and fat is fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is pretty ok at 10 ingredients, which is somewhat reflected in the true variety. A lot of the pieces appear to be very large for mice, and pellets appear to make up a large portion of the diet.
Quality:
This food contains no added colors (although it’s hard to say due to labelling laws) and allergens are low on the list, but corn and concentrate nuts (pellets?) are high on it. It also lacks smaller seeds like millet or milo. This food also contains Verm-X blend, which contains garlic and cayenne pepper. It’s already low on the ingredients list and mixed with other safe herbs, so it should be ok, but it’s strongly recommended to mix this with another food to reduce the amount fed (and combat the obvious nutrition and variety issues).
Sunseed Vita Prima Sunscription Dwarf Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 13
Unique Ingredients: 3 (lentil, potato, savoy cabbage, barley)
Ingredients:
Oats, Wheat, Heat-Processed Barley, Sorghum, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, White Millet, Wheat Middlings, Steel-Cut Corn, Steam Rolled Oats, Flaked Peas, Soybean Hulls, Flaked Corn, Heat-Processed Soybeans, Ground Corn, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Sunflower Seeds, Rolled Wheat Flakes, Split Red Lentil Seeds, Calcium Carbonate, Dehydrated Carrots, Savoy Cabbage, Dehydrated Potato, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Ground Flax Seed, Ground Wheat, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Ground White Millet, Ground Barley, Ground Sorghum, Vegetable Oil, Brewers Rice, L-Lysine, Ground Oat Groats, Ground Buckwheat, Ground Spelt, Ground Rolled Oats, Wheat Germ Meal, Potassium Chloride, Ground Chia Seeds, Ground Quinoa Seeds, Apple Pomace, Choline Chloride, Ground Banana, Ground Papaya, DL-Methionine, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Carmine (color), Vitamin E Supplement, Fructooligosaccharide, Raspberry Powder, Strawberry Powder, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Yeast Culture, Pot Marigold, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Folic Acid, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Ground Carrots, Ground Celery, Ground Beets, Ground Parsley, Ground Lettuce, Ground Watercress, Ground Spinach, Cobalt Sulfate, Citric Acid (a preservative), Ascorbic Acid (a preservative), Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 12%
Nutrition:
The nutrition is good.
Variety:
The raw variety is pretty good at 13 ingredients, but the food also appears to be relatively pellet heavy.
Quality:
Overall the quality is pretty ok. The first four ingredients are whole grains and corn is relatively low on the list. It also used natural dyes. However, it does contain a couple potential allergens, and the low amount of true variety really makes this food not worth feeding.
Sunseed Vita Prima Sunscription Hamster and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 13
Unique Ingredients: 3 (carob, soybean, sweet potato)
Ingredients:
Wheat Middlings, Oats, Soybean Hulls, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Wheat, White Millet, Milo, Sunflower Seed, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Corn, Whole Corn, Flaked Peas, Flaked Wheat, Steam-Rolled Barley, Carob Beans, Flaked Soybeans, Peanuts, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Flax Seed, Ground Wheat, Dehydrated Sweet Potato, Dehydrated Carrots, Calcium Carbonate, Cane Molasses, Vegetable Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salt, L-Lysine, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Ground Oat Groats, Wheat Germ Meal, Apple Juice Concentrate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Brewers Dried Yeast, 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, Yeast Culture, 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, Manganese Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Carbonate, Copper Sulfate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Zinc Methionine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate, Calcium Propionate (a Preservative), Color Added (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1, Titanium Dioxide)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 14%
Nutrition:
Nutrition is generally fine, but the fiber is pretty high.
Variety:
The raw variety is great at 13 ingredients, but the true variety is very lacking. This food appears to be very pellet heavy.
Quality:
Corn is surprisingly low on the list, but this food has added dyes and added sugar. It also contains all of the common allergens.
Sunseed Vita Prima Sunscription Rat, Mouse And Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 14
Unique Ingredients: 3 (carob, sweet potato, rice)
Ingredients:
Oat Groats, Wheat, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Sorghum, Rolled Wheat Flakes, Wheat Middlings, White Millet, Heat-Processed Soybeans, Sunflower Seeds, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Flaked Peas, Soybean Hulls, Ground Corn, Peanuts, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Corn, Carob Beans, Ground Wheat, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Ground Flax Seed, Dehydrated Carrots, Dehydrated Apple, Dehydrated Sweet Potato, Vegetable Oil, Ground White Millet, Ground Barley, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Ground Sorghum, Brewers Rice, L-Lysine, Ground Oat Groats, Brewers Dried Yeast, Ground Buckwheat, Ground Spelt, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Wheat Germ Meal, L-Lysine, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, DL-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Ground Red Soybeans, Ground Chia Seeds, Ground Quinoa Seeds, Choline Chloride, Apple Pomace, Magnesium Oxide, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Vitamin A Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Yeast Culture, Ground Banana, Ground Papaya, Pot Marigold, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Carmine (color), Vitamin E Supplement, Fructooligosaccharide, Raspberry Powder, Strawberry Powder, Ground Almonds, Ground Peanuts, 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, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Ground Carrots, Ground Celery, Ground Beets, Ground Parsley, Ground Lettuce, Ground Watercress, Ground Spinach, Cobalt Sulfate, Citric Acid (a preservative), Ascorbic Acid (a preservative), Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 13%
Nutrition:
All levels are good.
Variety:
The variety is pretty good at 14 ingredients with 4 listed after calcium carbonate. Unfortunately, though, it seems the majority of this mix is pellets.
Quality:
This food contains all of the potential allergens, but it doesn’t contain any artificial colors or sugars. Corn is also very low on the list. If the pellets were not hay-based I would consider this to be a decent base in addition to a high-variety seed mix.
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Gerri Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 9
Unique Ingredients: 3 (soybean, pumpkin seed, locust bean)
Ingredients:
Ground Whole Wheat, Flaked Whole Corn, Flaked Whole Wheat, Whole Oats, Pelleted Soybean Meal, Whole Corn, Flaked Soybeans, Flaked Peas, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Pumpkin Seeds, Dried Cooked Carrot, Dried Raisins, Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Extruded Locust Beans, Soybean Oil, Calcium Carbonate, 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, Color Added Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 6%
Nutrition:
Protein is a bit high, but fat and fiber are ok.
Variety:
Raw variety is ok at 9 ingredients. True variety is pretty poor--this food appears to be mostly pellets and corn. It also lacks small seeds.
Quality:
Corn is high on the list. This food also contains artificial dyes. However, it only contains one of the potential allergens in the form of soy.
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 8
Unique Ingredients: 3 (pumpkin seed, soybean, locust bean)
Ingredients:
Ground Wheat, Toasted Wheat, Flaked Peas, Soybean Meal, Whole Corn, Flaked Whole Corn, Sunflower Seeds, Flaked Soybeans, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Peanut Kernels, Soybean Oil, Peanuts In Shells, Pumpkin Seeds, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Middlings, Extruded Locust Beans, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin A Supplement, Cholecalciferol (Source Of Vitamin D3), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Choline Chloride, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Oxide, D‐Calcium Pantothenate, Iron Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (Source Of Vitamin B2), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Color Added Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
Protein is high, but fat and fiber are fine.
Variety:
The raw variety is ok at 8 ingredients, but this food also appears to be quite pellet heavy.
Quality:
While corn isn’t super high on the list, this food is very pellet heavy and has all of the potential allergens. This food also has added dyes.
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Reggie Rat and Mimi Mouse Tasty Mix
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 6
Unique Ingredients: 2 (linseed, locust bean)
Ingredients:
Ground wheat, whole corn, flaked peas, toasted wheat, whole oats, flaked whole corn, soybean meal, wheat middlings, dehydrated alfalfa meal, linseed, soybean oil, extruded locust beans, soybean hulls, calcium carbonate, vitamin A supplement, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), vitamin E supplement, zinc oxide, choline chloride, niacin supplement, manganese oxide, calcium pantothenate, iron sulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B2), thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1), folic acid, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, biotin, sodium selenite, vitamin B12 supplement, color added yellow 6, yellow 5, blue 1
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 4%
Nutrition:
The fat and protein are fine, but the fiber is rather low.
Variety:
The variety is terribly low at only 6 whole ingredients. It appears to be very pellet and corn heavy.
Quality:
The quality of this mix is quite poor. Corn is split and high on the list, soy is on the list, there's no millet/milo, and there are added dyes. On the plus side, it doesn't rely on peanuts or sunflower seeds.
Tropifit Premium Plus Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Unknown
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: Unknown
Unique Ingredients: 7 (parsley, chamomile, plantain, marigold, currant, pineapple, beet)
Ingredients:
cereals (including corn), derivatives of vegetable origin (including granules with grasses 7.5%, parsley, chamomile, granules with alfalfa 1%, narrowleaf plantain, marigold blossom), fruit (dried apple contained in the granules 7.5%, dried apple 2%, currant contained in the granules 1.5%, dried pineapple), vegetables (dried beet 2%, dried carrot 2%), seeds (including flaxseed contained in the in granules 1.5%), minerals (zeolite 1%), meat and animal derivatives (turkey meal 0.3%) Additives: colourants
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.5%
Fat: 4.5%
Fiber: 8.2%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is unknown due to varying labelling laws, but the true variety is extremely poor. This food has no smaller seeds and a bunch of pellets.
Quality:
The “meat and animal derivatives” could include red meat or by-products, but it is extremely low on the list and appears to be mostly turkey, which is safe. It also appears to flavor the pellets with apples, which is good for the amount of pellets this food has. Still, this food is not seedy at all and completely unsuitable for mice.
Versele-Laga Nature Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Unknown
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: Unknown
Unique Ingredients: 3 (red pepper, banana, mealworms); may be more
Ingredients:
Grains (maize 17%), vegetable by-products, vegetables (peas 12%, red pepper 2%, carrots 2%), seeds, fruits (banana 1%, raisins 1%), vegetable protein extracts, insects (mealworms 4%), nuts, minerals, yeast, herbs, oils and fats, calendula, FOS, MOS, grape seed, seaweed, yucca
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16.5%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 7.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are rather high. Fiber is ok.
Variety:
The raw variety is unknown due to vague ingredients, but the true variety is rather poor--it appears to be mostly pellets.
Quality:
This food has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but all the ingredients are rather vague. This food also contains “herbs”, which may contain garlic, and raisins. It also appears to have a lot of corn.
Versele-Laga Nature Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: Unknown
Unique Ingredients: 3 (mealworms, calendula, grape seed); may be more
Ingredients:
Cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables (green peas 12%), seeds (striped sunflower seeds 6%), vegetable protein extracts, fruit (apricot 1.5%, raisins 1%), nuts, insects (mealworms 4%), minerals, yeasts, oils and fats, herbs, MOS, FOS, calendula, grape seed
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 18%
Fat: 9%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are high. Fiber is fine.
Variety:
The raw variety is unknown due to vague ingredients, but the true variety is rather poor--it appears to contain mostly pellets.
Quality:
This food has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but all the ingredients are rather vague. This food also contains “herbs”, which may contain garlic, and raisins. This food contains a potential allergen in the form of sunflower seeds, which can be seen in the images of this food, but whether it contains others is unknown.
Versele-Laga Nature Mouse Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Unknown
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: Unknown
Unique Ingredients: 3 (beetroot, calendula, grape seed)
Ingredients:
Grains (wheat 8.5%), derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables (peas 7.5%, beetroot 3%, carrots 2%), seeds, fruit (raisins 3%), vegetable protein extracts, insects (mealworms 4%), nuts, minerals, herbs, MOS, FOS, calendula, grape seed
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16.5%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 6.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a bit high. Fiber is fine.
Variety:
The raw variety is unknown due to vague ingredients, but the true variety is rather poor--it appears to contain mostly pellets.
Quality:
This food has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but all the ingredients are rather vague. This food also contains “herbs”, which may contain garlic, and raisins.
Versele-Laga Nature Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Unknown
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: Unknown
Unique Ingredients: 5 (tomato, papaya, mealworms, calendula, grape seed)
Ingredients:
Cereals (barley 8%), derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables (peas 8%, tomatoes 2%), seeds, vegetable protein extracts, fruit (papaya 2%, raisins 1.5%), insects (mealworms 4%), nuts, minerals, yeasts, oils and fats, herbs, FOS, MOS, calendula, grape seed, algae, yucca
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 17.5%
Fat: 8.5%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are high. Fiber is fine.
Variety:
The raw variety is unknown due to vague ingredients, but the true variety is rather poor--it appears to contain mostly pellets.
Quality:
This food has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but all the ingredients are rather vague. This food also contains “herbs”, which may contain garlic, and raisins.
Versele-Laga Prestige Budgie Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: No
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 6
Unique Ingredients: 3 (linseed, safflower, niger seed)
Ingredients:
Yellow millet 54%, red millet 16%, white millet 10%, canary seed 8%, peeled oats 6%, linseed 3%, safflower 2%, niger seed 1%
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.5%
Fat: 6.5%
Fiber: 6.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is a bit low.
Variety:
Variety is pretty low at only 6 ingredients. The true variety is very seedy, but 80% of the mix is just millet, leading to an undiverse mix.
Quality:
While this food is free of dyes, potential allergens, and sweeteners, it is really basic. You would probably be better off mixing this yourself or buying these ingredients yourself as add-ins.
Vitakraft Menu Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 10
Unique Ingredients: 2 (soybean, carob)
Ingredients:
Milo, Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls,Whole Corn, Steel-Cut Corn, Ground Corn, Split Green Peas, Oats, Steam-Rolled Oats, Flaked Peas, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Flaked Corn, Flaked Soybeans, Sunflower Seed, Carob Beans, Corn Gluten Meal, Shelled Peanuts, Wheat Flakes, Puffed Wheat, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Ground Flax Seed, Ground Wheat, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salt, Algae Meal, Dehydrated Carrots, L-Lysine, Vegetable Oil, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Oxide, Choline Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Yeast Culture, 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, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 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, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue1)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14.5%
Fat: 2.5%
Fiber: 11%
Nutrition:
Protein and fiber are a dash high, but fat is low.
Variety:
Raw variety is alright at 10 ingredients, which are split very frequently. True variety appears to be pretty poor--lots of pellets are present.
Quality:
No artificial sweeteners are used, but dyes are present. Corn appears to be low on the list but is split plenty of times so it could be higher up than what’s written. All of the common allergens are present.
Vitakraft VitaSmart Complete Nutrition Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 11
Unique Ingredients: 1 (carob)
Ingredients:
Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Wheat, Sorghum, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Middlings, Flaked Corn, Flaked Peas, Oats, Heat-Processed Soybeans, Ground Corn, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Steam Rolled Oats, Puffed Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Carob Beans, Sunflower Seeds, Ground Wheat, Ground Flax Seed, Peanuts, Ground White Millet, Ground Barley, Ground Sorghum, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Brewers Rice, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Dehydrated Apple, Dehydrated Carrots, Ground Oat Groats, Vegetable Oil, Ground Buckwheat, Ground Spelt, Salt, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Wheat Germ Meal, L-Lysine, Flaked Red Soybeans, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Chloride, Ground Chia Seeds, Ground Quinoa Seeds, Apple Pomace, Ground Banana, Ground Papaya, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Carmine (color), Vitamin E Supplement, Fructooligosaccharide, Raspberry Powder, Strawberry Powder, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Yeast Culture, Pot Marigold, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Folic Acid, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Ground Carrots, Ground Celery, Ground Beets, Ground Parsley, Ground Lettuce, Ground Watercress, Ground Spinach, Cobalt Sulfate, Citric Acid (a preservative), Ascorbic Acid (a preservative), Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 10%
Nutrition:
Protein is high; fat and fiber are fine.
Variety:
The raw variety is ok at 11 ingredients. However, the true variety is pretty poor--the majority of this mix appears to be pellets.
Quality:
All of the common allergens are in this food, but otherwise the quality is pretty good. There are no artificial dyes or sweeteners, and corn is semi-low on the list. However, the low true variety of this foods makes it not worth feeding.
VitaKraft VitaSmart Rat, Mouse, and Gerbil Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 10
Unique Ingredients: 3 (barley, carob, date)
Ingredients:
Wheat, Oat Groats, Puffed Wheat, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Flaked Corn, Flaked Peas, Heat-Processed Soybeans, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Corn, Flaked Red Soybeans, Peanuts, Sorghum, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Middlings, Heat-Processed Barley, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Carob Beans, Ground Wheat, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Flax Seed, Ground White Millet, Ground Barley, Ground Sorghum, Dehydrated Carrots, Ground Brewers Rice, Ground Oat Groats, Dehydrated Dates, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Oil, Ground Buckwheat, Ground Spelt, Salt, L-Lysine, Wheat Germ Meal, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Chloride, Ground Chia Seeds, Ground Quinoa Seeds, Apple Pomace, Ground Banana, Ground Papaya, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Carmine (color), Vitamin E Supplement, Fructooligosaccharide, Raspberry Powder, Strawberry Powder, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Yeast Culture, Pot Marigold, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Folic Acid, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Ground Carrots, Ground Celery, Ground Beets, Ground Parsley, Ground Lettuce, Ground Watercress, Ground Spinach, Cobalt Sulfate, Citric Acid (a preservative), Ascorbic Acid (a preservative), Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 10%
Nutrition:
While the fat and fiber are fine, the protein is pretty high at 16%.
Variety:
Raw variety is ok at only 10 ingredients. True variety is ok for what it is--while it is pellet-heavy, it does have a decent quantity of other interesting ingredients.
Quality:
This food lacks artificial colors and sweeteners, and corn is semi-low on the list. However, this food lacks millet, and milo (sorghum) is quite low on the list. Once again, this food would probably be an ok base if the pellets were not hay-based.
White Mill Pure (Puur) Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 20
Unique Ingredients: 12 (spelt, buckwheat, bean, rice, banana, safflower, flax seed, beetroot, mealworm, nettle, parsley, marigold)
Ingredients:
Corn Meal, Oats, Wheat, Pea Flakes, Oat Flakes, Sunflower Seed Meal, Spelt, Alfalfa Meal, Buckwheat, Bean Flakes, Dried Carrot, Paddy Rice, Wheat Flakes, Puffed Wheat, Dried Banana, Safflower Seeds, Whole Peanuts, Dried Egg Powder, Flax Seed, Pea Fiber, Raisins, Calcium Carbonate, Dried Beetroot, Dried Mealworms, Sunflower Seeds, Sunflower Oil, Corn Flour, Inulin, Corn Germ, Dried Eucalyptus, Dried Nettle, Dried Parsley, L-Lysine, Yucca Meal, Dried Celery, Dried Marigold, Soy Lecithin, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulphate, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Sulphate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Dl-Methionine, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Biotin, Cholecalciferol (Source Of Vitamin D3), Vitamin B12 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13.5%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
All levels are fine.
Variety:
Variety is pretty good at 16 ingredients but appears to be very pellet heavy. All the pieces are also rather large for most mice, particularly the whole peanuts and banana chips.
Quality:
This food contains no added colors or sweeteners and the allergens it has are pretty low on the list. However, cornmeal is the first ingredient on the list.
Wild Harvest Universal Blend for Small Birds
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 6
Unique Ingredients: 2 (rapeseed, niger seed)
Ingredients:
White Millet, Red Millet, Oat Groats, Rapeseed, Canary Grass Seed, Flaxseed, Finch Millet, Niger, Ground Corn, Wheat Middlings, Feeding Oatmeal, Corn Gluten Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Soybean Meal, Soybean Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salt, Yeast Culture, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Monoammonium Phosphate, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Mono and Diglycerides, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Biotin, Cobalt Chloride, Folic Acid, Ferrous Carbonate, Zinc Oxide, Choline Chloride, Niacin, Vitamin A Palmitate (Source of Vitamin A), Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Lactose, Sodium Thiosulfate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Selenium, Citric Acid, Rosemary Extract, Color Added FD&C Red 40, FD&C Yellow 6, FD&C Blue 1.
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 11%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
Protein is a little low, but the other levels are fine.
Variety:
Raw variety is low at only 6 ingredients, but the true variety is pretty decent for what it is. This is a very seedy mix.
Quality:
Corn is low on the list, but this food contains artificial dyes and added sugars. It does contain a common allergen, but it is very low on the list. Overall a pretty basic mix that’s not really worth feeding.
ZuPreem Smart Selects Parakeet Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 11
Unique Ingredients: 7 (safflower, flax seed, papaya, pineapple, coconut, banana, grape)
Ingredients:
Canary Grass Seeds, Oat Groats, Ground Corn, Dehulled Red Millet, Dehulled White Millet, Safflower Seeds, Soybean Meal, Flaxseeds, Dried Papaya, Dried Pineapple, Dried Coconut, Sugar, Dried Cane Molasses, Corn Gluten Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ground Wheat, Salt, Fructooligosaccharides, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Wheat Germ Meal, Vegetable Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Potassium Chloride, Natural Flavors, Preserved with Citric Acid and Mixed Tocopherols, Minerals (Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (a Source of Vitamin C), Dried Bananas, Dried Oranges, Dried Apples, Dried Grapes, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40, Color Added, Sulfur Dioxide (Preservative), Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 8%
Fiber: 11.5%
Nutrition:
Protein is fine, fiber is a bit high, and fat is high.
Variety:
The raw variety is ok at 11 ingredients, and the true variety is pretty ok. It has a good portion of small pellets.
Quality:
Corn is somewhat high on the list, and there is a common allergen in the form of soy. Dried oranges are on this list, but they are very low on it. This food also has added dyes and sugars.
ZuPreem Sensible Seed Small Bird Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergen: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 7
Unique Ingredients: 3 (canola, grape, banana)
Ingredients:
Canary Grass Seeds, White Milo, White Proso Millet, Ground Corn, Canola, Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat, Wheat Germ Meal, Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Iodized Salt, Natural Flavors, DL-Methionine, Dried Oranges, Dried Apples, Dried Grapes, Dried Bananas, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Biotin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Yellow 5, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Red 40, Yellow 6, Minerals (Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Color Added, Blue 1
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12%
Fat: 3%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
Protein and fiber are fine, but fat is a bit low.
Variety:
The raw variety is pretty low at only 7 ingredients, but the true variety is pretty good. It’s relatively seedy, but also has a good amount of pellets.
Quality:
This food contains soy, added colors, and added sugar, but the main issue is its use of dried orange. While it is low on the list, it is still notable and somewhat risky. If you must use this food, mixing is strongly recommended.
JR Farm Super Small Pet Food
Artificial Dyes: No(?)
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 9
Unique Ingredients: 2 (field bean, carob)
Ingredients:
Wheat, grass meal, extruded corn meal, wheat flakes, alfalfa, corn flakes, corn, oats, field bean flakes, carrots 3%, carob, wheat bran, sunflower seed meal, sunflower seeds, pea flakes, popped wheat, leek 0.5%
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 12.1%
Fat: 2.9%
Fiber: 10.9%
Nutrition:
Protein and fiber are fine; fat is low.
Variety:
It has an ok raw variety at 9 ingredients, but the true variety is quite low. This food appears to be mostly pellets, some sort of alfalfa hay(?), and corn.
Quality:
This food has no added sugars and likely some sort of dyes according to the colored pieces, but due to labelling laws this is uncertain. It has a potential allergen in the form of sunflower seeds, but it is quite low on the list. It also has straight up pieces of hay that most mice will just ignore despite any attempt of tough love feeding, leading to an inaccurate GA, particularly for fiber. It also contains a small amount of leek. Overall, it’s always best to steer clear of foods that claim to cover all animals--it’s impossible to create a diet fit for both herbivores and granivores/insectivores.
Tropifit Food for Hamsters
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Unknown
Added Sugars: Unknown
Whole Ingredients: Unknown
Unique Ingredients: Unknown
Ingredients:
derivatives of vegetable origin, fruit, seeds, vegetables, meat and animal derivatives, oils and fats Additives: colourants
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16.7%
Fat: 4.5%
Fiber: 3.5%
Nutrition:
Protein is high, fat, is fine, and fiber is very low.
Variety:
The raw variety is unknown due to varying labelling laws, but the true variety is very poor. This food is very pellet heavy with lots of corn.
Quality:
This food contains “meat and animal derivatives”, which could include red meat and animal by-products. It may also include unsafe vegetables or fruits like leeks or oranges. While this food may be completely safe and not have any harmful ingredients at all, it’s really uncertain so this food should be avoided.
Versele-Laga Nature Mini Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Unknown
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: Unknown
Unique Ingredients: 5 (parsnip, pineapple, mealworm, calendula, grape seed); may be more
Ingredients:
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
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16.5%
Fat: 7.5%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are a bit high. Fiber is fine.
Variety:
The raw variety is unknown due to vague ingredients, but the true variety is rather poor--it appears to contain mostly pellets.
Quality:
This food has no artificial dyes or added sugars, but all the ingredients are rather vague even by varying-labelling-laws standards. This food also contains leek, raisins, and herbs, which may contain garlic.
Vilmie Rat Feed
Artificial Dyes: No(?)
Potential Allergens: unknown
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: unknown
Unique Ingredients: 1 (prawns); may be more
Ingredients:
Grains, vegetable by-products, seeds, vegetables, meat and animal by-products, fruit, molluscs and crustaceans (1% freshwater prawns), oils and fats, minerals
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14.8%
Fat: 5.6%
Fiber: 4.5%
Nutrition:
Protein is a bit high, fat is fine, and fiber is low.
Variety:
The raw variety of this mix is unknown due to vague ingredients. The true variety appears to be quite pellet-heavy and have a lot of corn.
Quality:
This has no added sugars and lists that it has no added dyes, but the pellets appear to be slightly colored. The amount of by-products also illustrates a lack of quality. The particular unspecificity of the meat could cause problems as mice cannot have red meat.
Volkman Avian Science Parakeet Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 14
Unique Ingredients: 7 (flax seed, canola seed, hemp seed, nyjer seed, coconut, spinach, papaya)
Ingredients:
Millet, Canary Grass Seed, Oat Groats, Flax Seed, Canola Seed, Corn, Hemp Seed, Nyjer Seed, Shelled Sunflower Seed, Dried Apple, Coconut, Dehydrated Carrot, Oyster Shell, Dehydrated Spinach Flake, Orange Oil, Papaya, Citric Acid, Calcium, Sugar, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5 And No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, Sulfur Dioxide (Preservative)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13.5%
Fat: 8%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
Protein is fine, fiber is a little low, and fat is high.
Variety:
This food has a raw variety of 14 ingredients, which is pretty good. The true variety is fantastic; this food appears to have no pellets at all.
Quality:
This food doesn’t have much corn and the single allergen (sunflower seeds) is pretty low on the list. Oyster shell is in this food which may be a problem. Orange oil is also included, likely in a small amount, but because the list is so short and it’s listed before papaya it may cause some problems.
Brown's Tropical Carnival Gourmet Pet Mouse and Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: 18
Unique Ingredients: 9 (buckwheat, pumpkin seed, almond, pecan, walnut, banana, lentils, papaya, brown rice)
Ingredients:
Wheat, Oat Groats, Kafir, Whole Corn, Striped Sunflower Seed, Green Whole Peas, Buckwheat, Pumpkin Seed, Shelled Peanuts, Jumbo Green Peas, Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts, Banana Chips, Carrots, Raisins, Maple Peas, Lentils, Papaya, Brown Rice, DL-Methionine Supplement, L-Lysine Supplement, Di-Calcium Phosphate, Dried Brewers Yeast Fermentation Product, Salt, Vitamin A Palmitate, Cholicalciferol (Source of Vitamin D-3), Alpha Tocopherol (Source of Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfate (Source of Vitamin K), Choline Chloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Niacin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Chloride, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Iron Methionine, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Product, Dried Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Lactis Fermentation Product, Sulphur Dioxide (a preservative), FD&C Color, and artificial flavors
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 7%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
The protein and fiber are fine, but the fat is a bit high.
Variety:
While the variety seems good, the pieces are rather large for most mice, including peanuts, large seeds, and large pellets.
Quality:
This food unfortunately contains a lot of the common allergens, such as peanuts and sunflower seeds. However, it surprisingly contains no soy. That said, it does have unspecified added dyes, raisins, and no millet. Kafir could mean two things depending on the spelling: it may be a type of lime or a yogurt-like fermented milk. Either way, rather questionable as both citrus and dairy are unsafe for mice.
Kaytee Supreme Mouse and Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 5
Unique Ingredients: none
Ingredients:
Rolled Corn, Rolled Oat Groats, Rolled Barley, Ground Corn, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Ground Wheat, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Meat Meal, Sunflower, Peanuts, Corn Gluten Meal, Cane Molasses, Vegetable Oil, Poultry Meal, Fish Meal, Salt, Beet Pulp, Calcium Carbonate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Iron Oxide, Lignin Sulfonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dl-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Sulfate, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 9%
Nutrition:
Nutrition is fine for your average pet shop mouse.
Variety:
Variety is very low at only 5 raw ingredients, but appears to be pretty seedy.
Quality:
Corn is first on the list and added sugars are used, but, surprisingly for Kaytee, no added dyes are used. All common potential allergens are in this food. “Meat meal” is dangerously vague as mice cannot have red meat, and, seeing as both poultry and fish meal are listed later on, the fact that this is red meat is implied. Since “meat meal” is high on the list, this food is unsafe for mice.
Volkman Gourmet Hamster Mix
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: 16
Unique Ingredients: 8 (pinto bean, navy bean, turtle bean, red [azuki] bean, lima bean, black-eyed pea, banana, pumpkin seed)
Ingredients:
Rolled Barley, Oats, Pellets, Oat Groats, Rolled Corn, Shelled Peanuts, In-Shell Peanuts, Yellow Corn, Black Striper Sunflower, 8 Bean Mix (Yellow Peas, Pinto Beans, White Navy Beans, Black Turtle Beans, Light Red Kidney Beans, Small Red Beans, Green Baby Lima Beans, Black-eyed Beans), Mouse Breeder Pellets [Wheat Bran, Ground Corn, Soybean Meal, Pork Meat and Bone Meal, Hydrolyzed Vegetable and Animal Fat, Poultry Fat, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Brewers Yeast, Propionic Acid (preservative), Methionine, Hydroxy Analog, Choline Chloride, Vitamin C (AsPP L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate), Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, DL-Calcium Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin K (Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex), Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Copper Sulfate, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite], Timothy Hay Pellets, Banana Chips, Carrot Dices, White Pumpkin Seeds, Safflower Oil, Anise Oil
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 13%
Fat: 8.25%
Fiber: 7.5%
Nutrition:
Protein and fiber are fine; fat is a bit high.
Variety:
The raw variety is quite good at 16 ingredients, but the true variety appears to be quite poor--this food is mostly barley with a few other ingredients.
Quality:
This food should never be fed under any circumstances due to two ingredients--pork meal and kidney beans. Mice cannot have red meat and kidney beans are too high in lectins to be fed raw, even for humans.
Oxbow Essentials Regal (Adult) Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: 2 (rice, fish)
Ingredients:
Whole Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Wheat Bran, Wheat, Soybean Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Natural Flavor, Soybean Hulls, Brewer’s Dried Yeast, Flax Seed Meal, Monocalcium Phosphate, DL-Methionine, Canola Oil, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Wheat Germ Meal, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Salt, Inulin, Magnesium Oxide, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Choline Chloride, Sodium Bentonite, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Vitamin C), Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Rosemary Extract
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 15%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 2%
Nutrition:
Protein is a dash high and fiber is very low, but the fat is good.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
There’s no corn, added dyes, or added sugars. The first four ingredients are all healthy grains. Overall, a very high quality pellet.
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: 2 (barley, hazelnut)
Ingredients:
Wholemeal Wheat Flour, Soybean Meal, Barley, Hazelnuts, Oats, Dried Apples, Soya Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Limestone Flour, Salt
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 4%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are fine; fiber is quite low.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
This food doesn’t contain any artificial dyes or added sugars, but it has a potential allergen in the form of soy. Overall though it’s a pretty great option.
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: 1 (barley)
Ingredients:
Wheat, soybean meal, barley, oats, soya oil, dried apples, dried blackcurrants, wheat feed, limestone flour, salt, Vitamin A 15000 IU, Vitamin D3 1500 IU
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 14%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 4%
Nutrition:
Protein and fat are good, but fiber is a bit low.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
This food contains no artificial colors, corn, or sweeteners, but does have a potential allergen in the form of soy. Overall a great pellet from a trusted brand.
Oxbow Garden Select Adult Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: 2 (rice, pea)
Ingredients:
Oat Groats, Whole Barley, Soybean Meal, Cane Molasses, Oat Grass, Orchard Grass, White Rice, Whole Yellow Pea, Soybean Oil, Sodium Bentonite, Calcium Carbonate, Flaxseed, Monocalcium Phosphate, Lignin Sulfonate, DL–Methionine, Salt, Magnesium Oxide, Spinach Powder, Tomato Powder, Choline Chloride, Banana Powder, Carrot Powder, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Mineral Oil, L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Vitamin C), Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Rosemary Extract
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 16%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 2%
Nutrition:
Protein is rather high but workable and fiber is very low. Fat is fine.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
There’s no corn on this list, but there is a common allergen. Cane molasses is unusually high on the list, but besides that this is a pretty decent pellet.
All Living Things Market Medley Rat and Mouse Diet
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: none
Ingredients:
Wheat Middlings, Corn, Soybean Meal, Vegetable Oil, Lignin Sulfonate, Cane Molasses, Calcium Hydroxide, Dried Whey, Yeast Culture, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, DL-Methionine, Propionic Acid, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Carbonate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamin Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 18%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 8%
Nutrition:
Protein is high, but the fat and fiber are fine.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
Corn is relatively high on the lists as well as soy. This food also contains added sugars.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat, and Hamster Food
Artificial Dyes: Yes
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: none
Ingredients:
Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Ground Peanuts, Ground Oat Hulls, Ground Flax Seed (Source of Omega-3), Dried Cane Molasses, Dextrose, Lignin Sulfonate, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Soybean 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 Bentonite, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Menadione 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
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 20%
Fat: 4%
Fiber: 7%
Nutrition:
Protein is very high, but the fat and fiber are fine.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
Corn is relatively high on the lists as well as soy. This food also contains multiple forms of added sugars and artificial dyes.
Mazuri Rat and Mouse Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: none
Ingredients:
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 Schidigera 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
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 23%
Fat: 6.5%
Fiber: 4.5%
Nutrition:
Protein is extremely high and fiber is quite low. Fat is a little high.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
Corn is relatively high on the lists as well as soy. This food also contains added sugar.
Oxbow Garden Select Mouse and Young Rat Food
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: 1 (rice)
Ingredients:
Oat Groats, Whole Barley, Sunflower Meal, Soybean Meal, Cane Molasses, Canola Oil, White Rice, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bentonite, Oat Grass, Orchard Grass, Lignin Sulfonate, Dl-Methionine, Salt, L-Lysine, Magnesium Oxide, Choline Chloride, Carrot Powder, Spinach Powder, Tomato Powder, Banana Powder, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Yeast Culture (Dehydrated), Monocalcium Phosphate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Vitamin C), Mineral Oil, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 18%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 2%
Nutrition:
Protein is rather high and fiber is very low, but the fat is ok.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
This food doesn’t contain corn, but it does have some of the common allergens and added sugars, which are a bit high on the list. If the GA were more workable this pellet would be ok but since that isn’t the case it’s better to be avoided.
Vetafarm Rodent Origins Rat and Mouse Diet
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: No
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: None
Ingredients:
Corn, wheat, soybean, oats, vitamins (A, B6, B12, C, D3 and E) and minerals (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc)
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 17%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 3.5%
Nutrition:
Protein is high, fat is fine, and fiber is low.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
Corn is the first ingredient and this food contains a potential allergen. However, this food contains no artificial dyes or sugars.
(There have been multiple reported deaths due to malnutrition associated with this food)
Artificial Dyes: No
Potential Allergens: Yes
Added Sugars: Yes
Whole Ingredients: n/a
Unique Bases: 1 (whey)
Ingredients:
Ground Corn, Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Soybean Hulls, Dried Whey, Cane Molasses, Soybean Oil, Sunflower Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Limestone, Flax Seed, Sodium Bentonite, Menhaden Fish Meal, Lignin Sulfonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Natural Flavor, Dl-Methionine, Salt, Magnesium Oxide, Choline Chloride, Yeast Culture, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Ferrous Sulfate, Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Vitamin C), Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Rosemary Extract
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein: 18%
Fat: 6%
Fiber: 2-6%
Nutrition:
Protein is rather high, and the fiber is low. Fat is ok.
Variety:
n/a; this is a block food
Quality:
Corn is the primary ingredient followed by a common allergen. Cane molasses is rather high on the list. However, no added dyes are used.