Are YOU smarter than a Hamster? Let's play!

[HamsterMama]

Ever wonder if your hamster is secretly a genius? Welcome to today’s episode in my life as a Hamsta Mama, continually playing Am I Smarter Than My Hamster?, inspired by the classic quiz show Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?—where grown-ups try to answer elementary school questions and often discover that the 10-year-olds might just know more than they do.

My challenge: convincing my clever little fur ball to eat his MAZURI pellets instead of angling for treats. And when I say clever… this guy has gone on pellet strikes for up to two or three days, happily surviving off his foraged stockpile—even on nights when I don’t give him any treats! Clearly, he’s playing the long game. Embarrassingly, I need to constantly up my game.

So, I got a little creative and baked some cookies! Some are plain, some have a tiny bit of buckwheat flour, and a dollop of “frosting” topped with 5 grains of quinoa for flair. Here’s the recipe for anyone daring enough to challenge their hamster’s taste buds:

Hamster Cookie Recipe

• Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup MAZURI pellets (crumbled in my Vita-Mix)
  • Water (enough to make a moldable dough)
  • Optional: tiny bit of buckwheat flour
  • Optional: small dollop of hamster-safe “frosting”
  • Optional: 5 grains of quinoa for decoration

Instructions:

1. Mash the MAZURI pellets with a little water until they form a dough.
2. Shape into tiny cookie-sized pieces.
3. Cook gently in a pan on low heat until firm enough for your hamster to nibble.
4. If you like, mix in a pinch of buckwheat flour for texture.
5. Add a tiny dollop of “frosting” on top and sprinkle 5 grains of quinoa.

I’ll be testing these cookies tonight with my discerning little judge, and I’ll update with the verdict. Will my culinary cunning win over his hamster wits… or will the treats and his clever stockpiling claim victory once again? Stay tuned! I will be back ( probably red-faced) with an update of tonight's cookie adventures.

 

[Maz]

They look amazing! I hope he likes them.

 

[HamsterMama]

They look amazing! I hope he likes them.

They aren't that good, actually. I had to take a nibble to see why he doesn't like it. He is very discerning... they taste like

 

[Socks' Mum]

Brilliant! It's nice when hamster food is edible for humans. I like sharing Holland and Barrett's seeds and nuts I'm hoping hamsters aren't too good at counting

 

[Rescued One]

Extra credit points for the culinary creativity. I would try soaking in a fruit/veggie blend baby food for about 5-10 minutes before offering. None of my 4 hammies have ever refused a baby-food coated anything

 

[HamsterMama]

Brilliant! It's nice when hamster food is edible for humans. I like sharing Holland and Barrett's seeds and nuts I'm hoping hamsters aren't too good at counting

Extra credit points for the culinary creativity. I would try soaking in a fruit/veggie blend baby food for about 5-10 minutes before offering. None of my 4 hammies have ever refused a baby-food coated anything

You're so right. Benjamin loves baby food. I did try "painting" some green beans onto his pellets, and he didn't take them. But your idea of soaking them for 5-10 minutes is much better. Thank you!

 

[HamsterMama]

Brilliant! It's nice when hamster food is edible for humans. I like sharing Holland and Barrett's seeds and nuts I'm hoping hamsters aren't too good at counting

LOL...I have been known to steal a piece of his walnut now and then. Lately, I've considered that he is onto everything I do and is 10 steps ahead of me.

 

[Maz]

OH ate the hamster pumpkin seeds

 

[HamsterMama]

OH ate the hamster pumpkin seeds

I am cracking up now. I love pumpkin seeds! I am going to have to get some "for" Benjamin, and if he is lucky, I will even share one or two.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Luckily Socks isn't that into pumpkin seeds. Walnuts and pecan nuts however...

 

[HamsterMama]

Luckily Socks isn't that into pumpkin seeds. Walnuts and pecan nuts however...

We all have our weaknesses...