Lab blocks are a specially formulated compressed blocks of food which ensures your hamster gets optimum and constant nutrition with each block.
Some hamsters tend to get picky with their seed mixes, only eating what they like, resulting in a unbalanced diet and unhealthy weight gain.
Uses of Lab Blocks:
As a supplement* on top of seed mixes
As the main diet
Part of a "mush" diet for sickly/elderly hamsters
Brands:
Mazuri Rat & Mouse Diet - Protein Blocks
Harlan Teklad (8640) - Lab Blocks
Between two blocks available, Harlan Teklad is a better supplement* for your hamster. This is because a lab block is made for laboratory use - that means it is vigorously formulated based on the nutritional needs of the specific animal, with no variance between batches as diet cannot be a variable. Not to mention, the nutritional analysis of Mazuri’s food quality is not as high or controlled. Like other pet foods, its formula differs from batch to batch. As such, the only true lab block on the market is Harlan Teklad.
*Note:
Mazuri Rat & Mouse Diet, Harlan Teklad 8640: < 1 years old
Harlan Teklad 2018: > 1 years old
References:
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