Oxbow works with leading exotic veterinarians and nutritionists to ensure that each and every Oxbow diet is carefully crafted to meet the nutritional needs of the species for which it is formulated. Although both hamsters and gerbils are, by definition, omnivores in regards to their digestive physiology, in the wild these animals do tend to be predominately herbivorous as plant-based materials are the food items that they have the most consistent access to in their natural habitat. Hamsters and gerbils have also been shown to have fermentation capacity within their digestive tracts to allow them to yield energy in the form of volatile fatty acids from the fiber (hay) they ingest.
A quality complete fortified food (like Oxbow's Hamster & Gerbil formulations), along with the recommended greens/veggies, and small amounts of species-appropriate treats (i.e. high-quality seeds, cooked brown rice, etc.) all serve to provide the optimum nutritional profile for your little one.
For more information on the role that fiber plays in omnivore diets, please read this blog article on the topic written by our PhD animal nutritionist on staff.
If you have additional questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact us directly.