Small Animal Foraging Mix

For Hamsters, Gerbils & Rats

This dry foraging mix combines a variety of grains, legumes, and seeds to add nutritional variety and encourage natural foraging behaviors in small companion animals such as hamsters, gerbils, and rats.

The mix is designed to be used as a supplement and enrichment food, rather than as a complete diet. Scattering the ingredients throughout bedding or placing them in a foraging toy encourages natural searching and food-gathering behaviors while providing mental stimulation.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pacific Organic Feed Regular Pearled Barley
• 1/2 cup Pacific Organic Feed Rye Berries
• 1/2 cup Pacific Organic Feed Oat Groats
• 1/4 cup Pacific Organic Feed Millet
• 1/4 cup Pacific Organic Feed Whole Green Peas
• 2 tablespoons Pacific Organic Feed Pumpkin Kernel Seeds

Instructions

1. Combine

Add the pearled barley, rye berries, oat groats, millet, whole green peas, and pumpkin kernel seeds to a large mixing bowl or clean food-storage container.

2. Mix

Gently stir or toss the ingredients until they are evenly distributed. Make sure the smaller ingredients are well mixed throughout the larger grains.

3. Store

Transfer the finished mix to an airtight glass or food-safe plastic container. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture to help maintain freshness.

4. Serve

Offer a small amount of the mix as a foraging supplement. Approximately 1–2 tablespoons per serving may be used as a general guideline, but the appropriate amount will vary depending on the animal's species, size, age, activity level, and overall diet.

Scatter the mix throughout clean habitat bedding or place it in a designated foraging toy to encourage natural food-searching behaviors.

This mix should be offered alongside a nutritionally complete food, such as an appropriate species-specific lab block or pellet diet.

Nutritional Benefits

This combination of grains, legumes, and seeds provides a variety of nutrients that can complement a balanced diet while adding variety to the animal's feeding routine.

• Complex carbohydrates: Barley, rye berries, oat groats, and millet provide carbohydrates that can serve as a source of dietary energy.

• Dietary fiber: Whole grains and green peas provide dietary fiber that supports normal digestive function and contributes to a varied diet.

• Plant-based protein: Oat groats, rye, barley, green peas, and pumpkin seeds provide plant-based protein that contributes to normal growth, tissue maintenance, and overall body function.

• Unsaturated fats: Pumpkin kernel seeds provide fats, including unsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to normal skin, coat, and cellular function.

• Vitamins and minerals: The combination of grains, legumes, and seeds provides a range of naturally occurring nutrients, including B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and iron.

• Dietary variety: Using multiple ingredients provides different flavors, textures, and nutrient profiles, helping make the feeding experience more varied and engaging.

• Foraging enrichment: Scattering food throughout bedding or hiding small portions in a foraging toy encourages natural searching, digging, and food-gathering behaviors. This can provide mental stimulation and environmental enrichment in addition to nutritional variety.

Important Feeding Information

This mix is intended as a supplement and foraging enrichment, not as a complete or nutritionally balanced diet.

Always provide an appropriate nutritionally complete food formulated for the specific species as the primary diet. The foraging mix should make up only a portion of the overall daily food intake.

Because grains and seeds can contribute significant calories, avoid excessive feeding. Adjust the amount according to the animal's species, size, age, activity level, body condition, and primary diet.

When introducing the mix for the first time, start with a small amount and monitor your pet's response. Fresh drinking water should always be available.