Dietary variety enhances meal size in golden hamsters.

The effect of dietary variety on meal size was investigated in golden hamsters. Hamsters ate meals (four courses x 12 min/course) in which either the same food was offered in all four courses (one of powdered Purina chow, shortcake cookie, process cheddar cheese, or milk chocolate) or four different foods were offered in successive courses. Total energy intake was significantly greater in the variety condition than in any of the single-food conditions. Thus, although previous research indicates that the meal size of hamsters is relatively resistant to change, hamsters do increase meal size in response to dietary variety. This finding indicates that the satiety mechanisms of golden hamsters share at least some important features with those of other species.