Oxbow Garden Select Hamster & Gerbil Food is a hay-based dry food made with timothy, orchard grass, and oat hay, plus whole grains, peas, and a little vegetable and fruit powder. It is a good choice if you want a fiber-rich staple with fewer sugary extras than a typical seed mix.
What is in it
Based on the retailer listing for the 1.5-pound bag, the first ingredients are timothy grass, oat groats, orchard grass, oat grass, whole barley, and whole yellow pea. Further down you will find flax and sunflower meals, canola oil, inulin (a prebiotic fiber), yeast products, and banana, carrot, spinach, and tomato powders. Vitamins and minerals are added, and the preservatives are mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract. The product is labeled non-GMO and made in the USA.
The guaranteed analysis lists a minimum of 16% crude protein, 2.5% crude fat, and 18% to 23% crude fiber. That is a high-fiber, fairly low-fat profile.
Who it suits
- Gerbils generally do well on a grain-and-hay-based diet like this.
- Hamsters can eat it too, but they are omnivores that also do well with some protein variety. Hamsters often benefit from a seed mix or a small amount of animal protein alongside a pellet. Ask a vet who knows exotic pets about your hamster’s species and age.
- Pets that pick out only the tasty seeds from a mix may eat better with a uniform food, since every piece is the same.
Feeding tips
- Follow the portion guidance on the bag and adjust to keep your pet at a healthy weight.
- Switch foods gradually over 7 to 10 days by mixing the new food into the old.
- Scatter some of the food in the bedding so your pet can forage.
- Offer a small piece of fresh vegetable a few times a week and keep sugary treats and seeds rare.
- Provide fresh water every day and remove old food from your pet’s hoard.
If you are comparing options, see our Oxbow Essentials review, the best gerbil food guide, and our general hamster and gerbil food guide.
Bottom Line
Garden Select is a solid, fiber-rich staple, especially for gerbils and for owners who want to avoid sugary seed mixes. Check the bag for current ingredients before buying, and call your vet if your pet stops eating or loses weight.
General information only, not veterinary advice.
