Hamster Feeding Chart
| Veggies and Green | Grains | Fruits | Proteins | Fats |
| Spinach | Oats | Blueberries | Cooked chicken | Pecans |
| Cucumber | Barley | Peaches (no pit) | Dubai roaches | Brazil nuts |
| Daily 1-2 tsp. | Daily 0.5-1 tsp. | Every other day < 1tsp. | 2-3 times/week 0.5 tsp. | 2-3 times/week 0.5 tsp |
- A compound pellet ration or mixture of different seeds formulated to meet their needs.
- Small quantities of greens, cleaned root vegetables and pieces of fruit such as apples. Don't give them grapes or rhubarb, as these can be poisonous to rodents.
What foods are bad for a hamster?
Freshoods Not Suitable For Hamsters (NOTE: this list is non-exhaustive):
- Aubergine
- Acorns
- Buttercups
- Bluebells
- Bindweed
- Citrus fruits
- Elder
- Garlic
- Leeks
- Privet
What fruits and vegetables are safe to feed hamsters?
- Pear – Pears are thought to be healthy and digestible for hamsters. ...
- Although many hamsters don’t like to eat it, it is still healthy and safe for Syrian hamsters. ...
- Apple – Apart from the dry palettes, you can feed Apple to your Syrian hamster in a small quantity as a treat.
- Apricot – Dried Apricot and its stone/seed should be avoided. ...
What type of foods can you feed a hamster?
- Apple seeds and skins
- Grape seeds
- Fruit pits
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Garlic
- Onions
- Eggplant
- Chocolate (or any other sugary sweet)
What vegetables can you feed a hamster?
Cruciferous vegetables belonging to the brassica family that includes cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli. They’re high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and low in calories. As with all vegetables you can give to hamsters, it’s best to start with a very tiny amount – half a teaspoon is plenty – to avoid diarrhea. 2.
How much do you feed a hamster per day?
Good quality food and fresh, clean water must be readily available at all times. Hamsters eat 12 grams (about 1 tablespoon) of food daily mostly at night. Be observant of your hamster food intake they often hoard food in a corner. Carefully select commercial pellets that contain 15-20% protein.
How often should you feed a hamster?
People are fond of regular meals and we often tend to put our pets on a similar system of two or three meals a day. At a minimum, most pets are fed at least daily.
What is the best food to give your hamster?
Romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, cauliflower, carrot tops, broccoli spears, spinach, sweet potato, squash, artichokes and any other dark green veggies are great choices. Avoid iceberg lettuce and other veggies or fruits—such as watermelon—that are high in water content and have little nutritional value.
Can hamsters eat vegetables everyday?
Hamsters, like other pet rodents, require a varied diet to meet their full spectrum of nutritional needs. In addition to commercially produced pellet food, hamsters need small amounts of vegetables daily. Be mindful of the amounts, limiting the daily serving to about a tablespoon.
Do hamsters need fresh water everyday?
As a responsible hamster owner you know you should provide your hamster fresh water every single day. Even if your hamster has a water bottle in his cage that holds enough water to last for several days, he can become dehydrated if the bottle leaks or malfunctions, which is common.
Can you overfeed a hamster?
In the wild, a hamster can be quite a pest, hiding up to 60 pounds of grain in underground stores for winter. While a hamster with his cheeks full may be hard to resist, try to avoid overfeeding your hamster. The food he stores may soon become moldy if he urinates on it to mark it as his own.
Can I feed my hamster cheese?
Many hamsters love the taste of cheese, but its high fat and sodium content is not especially healthy for hamsters. If your hamster enjoys cheese and seems to tolerate it well, you can offer it occasionally in small amounts. Hamsters should get no more than a pea-sized amount of cheese just once or twice a week.
What do hamsters need in their cage?
For a quick look at the basics to set up a happy home for your hamster, you'll need the following:Small animal habitat.Small animal bedding and nesting fluff.Small animal bed or sleeper.Hamster hideaway.Exercise wheel and/or ball.Water bottle.Food bowl.High-quality hamster food.More items...
What to feed hamsters?
[2] Leftovers can rot, contaminating the cage. Good vegetables to feed your hamster include: turnips, carrots, chicory, spinach, parsley, pumpkin, endive, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, and asparagus.
What is the best way to feed a hamster?
Mineral or salt licks are a good way to provide your hamster nutrition as maintains its teeth.
What does it mean when a hamster is feeding in the morning?
Feeding in the evening, when the hamster is awake and most active, means that she has access to food when it's freshest. Feeding in the morning means she has access to food for a snack when she wakes sporadically during the day.
How to keep hamsters from scratching plastic?
2. Purchase a small ceramic bowl. Hamsters can scratch up plastic bowls, creating crevices which foster the growth of bacteria. A small bowl is preferable to a large one, because it will leave space in the cage for your hamster to play.. Place the bowl at the opposite side of the cage from your hamster’s bathroom area.
How to tell if a hamster is obese?
Monitor your hamster's weight. Because they have so much extra skin, it can be difficult to tell when a hamster is becoming obese. A Syrian should weight approximately one ounce per inch of length. Also, if your hamster appears slow and sluggish, it is possible you should modify its diet.
How to keep hamsters from knocking over water?
Purchase a water bottle. Hamsters are liable to knock over a water dish, creating sanitary problems. At the pet store purchase a bottle that can hang on your hamster’s cage. Refill regularly with bottled water. Be sure to clean the water bottle at least once a week.
What do hamsters eat?
Good vegetables to feed your hamster include: turnips, carrots, chicory, spinach, parsley, pumpkin, endive, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, and asparagus.
What do hamsters eat?
Round out the diet with greens in the forms of lettuces, grasses, fruits, and vegetables.
What do hamsters need to keep going?
Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates in your food mix is a must. Carbohydrates are what an active hamster needs to keep going. If your lab blocks or seed mixes don’t have them or not enough, you can provide additional carbs of the following in small amounts.
How do hamsters drink water?
Hamsters in nature rarely drink water but instead get their water from the things they eat (This does NOT mean you don’t need a water bottle though). Fresh greens, fruits, and vegetables not only provide your hamsters with the water they need, but they also provide extra vitamins and minerals they need. With that said, you need to be careful how much greens you add into the hamster food; too many greens and they can get a case of diarrhea. A rough guide calls for only feeding it about one square inch (2.54cm) of greens per day. There are greens, fruits, and vegetables that are great for hamsters and there are also ones that should be avoided. The following are some of the greens that are acceptable and some of the greens to avoid (If you collect these from outdoors, make sure there are no pesticides or toxic chemicals that could be on them. Always thoroughly wash them before placing them in your hamster’s cage.)
How much food does a Syrian hamster eat?
A Syrian hamster will only eat one to two tablespoons of food per day . Dwarf hamsters have higher metabolisms so they will consume the same amount. Expired bags of hamster food might have moth eggs hatch inside. Store the feed in a cool dry location to ensure freshness.
How long does hamster food last?
Most feed won’t last more than three months before it goes bad. A Syrian hamster will only eat one to two tablespoons of food per day.
Why do hamsters lick rocks?
In the wild you could observe a hamster licking different rocks or minerals that contain salt. They need salt to help retain water and stay healthy. You can provide your hamster with a salt lick or a mineral salts. These come in various forms and are sometimes added to their accessories as a form of play.
Can hamsters eat pumpkin seeds?
You can pick out the fatty seeds like sunflower and pumpkin seeds and only give them out every so often. You might consider removing some of the corn or alfalfa since some hamster owners say they can cause cancer or liver damage but there is little research to back this up from what we can find. Additionally, dehydrated fruits can get stuck in their mouths or cause a cheek impaction. Finally, avoid mixes that have a lot of molasses in them since they are full of sugar.
What to feed hamsters to keep them healthy?
Still, this can get monotonous for your hamster, and you should supplement this with seeds, nuts, vegetables, and fruits occasionally.
How much food do hamsters need?
Dwarf hamsters will need a bit less, roughly 1 tablespoon, while larger hamsters like Syrians will likely need a bit more. If your hamster is gaining weight and storing loads of food, you may need to reduce the amount. If your hamster is finishing all their food and not storing much, you’ll need to slightly increase their daily amount.
What do hamsters eat?
Hamsters are omnivores, meaning they mainly eat food sourced from plants, but in the wild, they are known to snack on insects and small frogs and lizards. A hamster’s diet should consist of around 15% protein and no more than 5% fat. In general, the best food to give your hamster in order to provide them with all the essential vitamins and minerals that they need are commercial hamster pellets.
What is the best food for hamsters?
The best hamster diet consists of commercial pelleted food combined with a variety of fresh fruits, seeds, and vegetables.
What happens if my hamster doesn't eat?
If your hamster is not hoarding food and not eating, they are most likely sick and need to see a vet. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms, like weight loss and lethargy.
When to take supplements for hamsters?
The only time when supplements are potentially helpful is when your hamster is having certain health issues and they are recommended by a vet.
Can hamsters eat pellets?
Credit: mordilla-net, Pixabay. Commercial pellets will give your hamster a healthy, balanced diet with every bite and prevent them from picking and choosing what they prefer. With loose seed mixes, hamsters will often only eat their favorite items and leave the rest, resulting in an unbalanced diet.
What Food Should I Feed My Pet Hamster?
A hamster’s diet [1] consists of hamster pellets, a small amount of fruit and veg, and a constant clean water supply.
What Treats Can I Feed My Hamster?
The best and healthy hamster treats for you to give your hammy are fresh fruits and veggies, especially those not full of sugar.
How Much Fruit and Vegetables Should I Feed My Hamster?
Any fruits you offer to your hamster should be limited and should not be unripe or overripe, which can be toxic or increase the risk that they will spoil.
What Vegetables Can Hamsters Eat?
There are plenty of vegetables that your hamster can eat and enjoy. These foods tend to be low in calories and high in fiber and other nutrients.
How much food should a dwarf hamster eat?
Dwarf hamsters will need a little less, and Robo or Chinese hamsters may only need a single tablespoon of food once per day due to their tiny size.
When do hamsters snack?
And your hamster will be ‘snacking’ at intervals during the night, and sometimes during the day, whenever he feels hungry. But you may be wondering whether or not to fill up the bowl again, or whether to wait until the hamster has eaten what is in his store.
Why do hamsters have cheek pouches?
Hamster cheek pouches. Those hamster cheek pouches don’t just add to the cute appeal of a hamster, in wild hamsters they serve a very useful purpose. Every hamster likes to keep a store of food in a safe place. Usually close to his or her nest. This helps wild hamsters survive during times when there are food shortages.
What happens if you let a hamster eat fruit?
If you let your hamster store fresh food, such as fruit or vegetables, it will rapidly go mouldy and may contaminate his whole food store, and if he eats it later, it may make him ill
How do you know if a hamster is emptying his food bowl?
You’ll probably notice your hamster emptying his food bowl quite soon after you fill it up. He’ll stuff the contents into his cheeks and then return to his nest to empty the food into his store.
How to stop hamsters from getting fat?
How to stop your hamster getting fat. In addition to providing him with an exercise wheel, you need to make sure he doesn’t eat too much as this can lead to obesity too. It’s important that your hamster doesn’t get fat, as this can make him sick. So don’t be tempted to fill the food bowl every time it is empty.
What does it mean when a hamster is getting bigger?
You’ll need to check your hamster’s store from time to time and if it is getting much bigger, it means you are putting too much food in his bowl, or filling it too often
What does a hamster eat?
Hamsters will eat anything given half a chance (including jumpers as we recently found out) and we should be mindful of giving them foods which can lead to dietary deficiencies, weight gain and other health problems.
What foods are safe for my hamster to eat?
There are a whole host of fruits, vegetables and herbs that are suitable for your hamster and which they will find truly scrumptious when washed beforehand and given in small amounts. These include:
How much food should a Syrian hamster eat?
Ideally, a normal sized Syrian hamster will eat around 1-2 tablespoons of food a day . In the winter they may require slightly more food as they are much more lethargic and need extra calories in order to keep warm.
Why do hamsters like Oscar?
Just like kids, hamsters like to be kept entertained at mealtimes, and in the wild hamsters would spend a great deal of time foraging for their food. Therefore, making Oscar work for his meal is a great way to keep him active and stop him from getting bored. Just like a traditional scavenger hunt, we love hiding his food around his cage, within his tubes and under boxes.
What fruits can hamsters eat?
Fruits including apples, pear, peach, melon, mango, blackberries and banana are all great tasty treats but steer clear of citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons or grapefruits. Make sure they are consumed quickly and not left to rot in your hamster’s cage.
What time of day should I feed my hamster?
There is still much debate over the best time of day to feed a hamster. Personally, I would say pick a time, either morning or night, that suits you best and stick to it so that your hamster becomes used to the same routine.
Can hamsters eat kale?
Hamsters are hoarders, so it is important that we don’t overfeed them or give them too many treats as they are likely to binge on them and this can result in weight problems and even diabetes. However, foods that are low in natural sugars such as cauliflower, cucumber and kale, given in fingernail-sized portions, can do wonders for your hamster’s skin, teeth and digestive system.
How Much Should You Feed a Hamster?
Hamsters should eat throughout their active hours to match their high metabolism rates. In the wild, food is scarce, and hence hamsters store some in their cheek pouches when they find it.
When Should you Feed Your Hamster?
Pet experts that champion for evening feeds contend this as the best time because hamsters are most active at night and will thus feed better.
Can you clean a hamster cage?
When cleaning the hamster cage, you will often come across food stashes even if you give the animal just enough food.
Can a Hamster Get Fat From Too Much Food?
Yes. Obesity is one of the main risks to which you expose your hamster with too much food or unhealthy feeds like those containing too much fat. Periodically weigh your hamster to ensure it is within normal weight ranges.
What to feed a hamster?
Soft treats include protein, which is very important for muscles, so; cooked meats, low-fat, no-salt cottage cheese or a hard-boiled egg, wheat bread, and scrambled eggs.
What is the best food for hamsters?
It’s also important to add fiber to your hamster’s diet, just like it’s important to have fiber in your own diet. Timothy hay alfalfa hay is a good, natural source of fiber.
What Can Syrian Hamsters Eat?
There are many foods that hamsters can eat, and many foods that hamsters shouldn’t eat. In this section, we’ll be covering everything you should feed your hamster, and we’ll be covering the foods you should avoid in the next section.
How Long Can Syrian Hamsters Go Without Food?
This applies to all hamsters: hamsters can’t go for longer than three to four days without food and/or water. It depends on when did they have their last meal, what did they eat, how much did they eat, and how active they have been for the past few days.
How to keep hamsters healthy?
Understand that each hamster has their own individual taste just like people do, and try to find out exactly what they enjoy eating, and what things they do not enjoy eating. Always keep your hamster’s water supply fresh and full, try to change your hamster’s water every two days. Know that hamsters can only live three to four days without food and/or water, so you shouldn’t worry if you can’t make it back home on time, or if you stay somewhere for another day unplanned, without a method of feeding your hamster (they probably have a hidden stash of food somewhere, anyway).
What is the best hamster mix for picky hamsters?
Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Mix – this is a very tasty mix, and it’s definitely the best choice for picky hamsters. You’ll notice that hamsters, just like people, have their own personal likes and dislikes. Some hamsters may love apples, while others won’t eat them. This mix is nutritionally balanced, suitable for all breeds, and it has vitamins included in the mix. What’s also great about this mix is that it has mealworms on top of its great choice of seeds. This is important because your hamster needs protein. Also, all hamsters love mealworms, so they definitely won’t be skipping this.
Why do hamsters sneeze?
If you’ve noticed your hamster sneezing, they may be allergic to their bedding or something in their food. They’re also allergic to dust, just like us, so there may be microscopic dust in the air. To eliminate this problem, try changing beddings, foods, to an unscented fabric softener, and use an air filter by your hamster’s cage to eliminate all allergens in that environment. However, if the problems refuse to go away, contact a vet.
