what to feed a syrian hamster

• EggPlant – The eggplants contain a mild amount of calcium, fat with little Phosphorus and acidic content with sugar. ...
• Spinach – spinach leaves are thought to be a suitable snack or a treat for Hamsters. ...
• Sage – Herbs like sage is healthy and can be eaten in a small amount by a Syrian Hamster occasionally.

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Full Answer

What is the best food for Syrian 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. ...

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What foods are hamsters the most attracted to?

• Apple seeds and skins
• Grape seeds
• Fruit pits
• Almonds
• Peanuts
• Garlic
• Onions
• Eggplant
• Chocolate (or any other sugary sweet)

Are Syrian hamsters the friendliest hamster type?

Today, Syrian hamsters are widely considered to be the friendliest hamster breed. Not only that they’re also considered the best breed of hamster for families with children. They are the most popular of the big hamster breeds. The main reason for this is because they almost never nip and are very easy to handle.

Are Syrian hamsters good pets?

The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster, is among the most popular choices for small pets. It's generally easy to tame, fun to watch, and fairly low-maintenance, making it a good pet for beginners. These hamsters come from arid regions of northern Syria and southern Turkey. Most are golden brown with a lighter belly.

What food should I feed my Syrian hamster?

The ideal hamster diet will include:Commercial hamster pellets (not a muesli-style mix). You can buy these in pet shops.Small amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables or herbs.Timothy hay. ... Occasional treats, like nuts, boiled egg or mealworms.You hamster will also need constant access to clean, fresh water.

How much should I feed my Syrian hamster?

Hamsters eat, on average, only about one to two tablespoons full of food per 24 hours. They avidly put everything else into storage. Syrian hamsters—the larger ones, also called Golden Hamsters—may eat a little more; dwarf hamsters eat a little less.

What are Syrian hamsters not allowed to eat?

Kidney beans, uncooked: These are toxic to hamsters; do not feed! Lettuce, iceberg: It contains little in the way of nutrition and can cause diarrhea. Small amounts of other green leafy vegetables, such as dandelion greens, romaine lettuce and kale, are much safer and more nutritious options.

Can hamster drink tap water?

So, can hamsters drink tap water? No, hamsters should not be offered tap water. In most places, especially cities, the chlorine content in water is too high for continual drinking purposes.

Do Syrian hamsters get lonely?

Syrian hamsters (known by many other names) really did originate in the Syrian and Turkish deserts. They are known as one of the most solitary and territorial species on our planet. In short, hamsters do not get lonely.

What food kills hamsters instantly?

Beyond the high-fat content and choking hazard, many fruit seeds contain trace amounts of a lethal poison called cyanide. Although we can eat them, usually accidentally, these seeds often have enough to kill a hamster. These include apple, cherry, and pear seeds, among others.

Can Syrian hamsters eat fruit?

Speaking of fruits and vegetables – hamsters need them too! Fresh fruits (rinsed in water) are good too, such as apples, pears, bananas, grapes and most berries. But remember never to give any citrus fruits like oranges, limes, lemons or grapefruit. Only give small amounts at a time.

Can Syrian hamsters eat carrots?

Can Hamsters Eat Carrots? Yes, but in moderation or just as an occasional treat because they are high in sugar.

What is the best diet for a Syrian hamster?

The best diet for Syrian hamsters. The best diet for Syrian or other types of hamsters will be a pelleted diet that is specially made for hamsters. If your hamster doesn’t enjoy pellets, you can look for a hamster seed mix instead. Or, you can often find a hamster diet mix that is a combination of pellets and seeds.

How much food should a Syrian hamster eat?

Experts recommend that your Syrian hamster eat a hamster diet of about 1/8 cup of pelleted hamster food per day. This is for a standard-sized Syrian or teddy bear hamster. Of course, each hamster has a different appetite and different metabolism. So, it’s important to monitor what they eat to be sure you aren’t over or underfeeding them.

What do hamsters eat?

Hamsters can also eat grapes, apples, watermelon, pears, peaches, and strawberries. Make sure that you remove any seeds so that your hamster doesn’t choke. And, you might want to peel the grape and the apple to make it easier for your hamster to eat.

What happens if a hamster doesn't like food?

This way, if your hamster doesn’t like the food, you haven’t wasted it. And, if it upsets their stomach or causes diarrhea, you won’t have given them a large amount. As long as your hamster likes the small test piece and it doesn’t make them sick, you can offer them a larger piece next time.

What vegetables should I feed my baby carrots?

They may also enjoy vegetables like cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, peas, and even dandelion greens. Remember that carrots and other vegetables do contain small amounts of sugar.

Can you feed hamsters pellets?

The time of day you feed your hamster doesn’t really matter. Hamsters will eat the food when they’re hungry. And, it will hide food around the cage to snack on throughout the day. While you can leave some pelleted hamster diet mix in their bowl, it’s important that you not leave any food that might rot.

Can hamsters eat bread?

While hamsters can eat very small amounts of brown bread, they should not eat white bread. Bread is not good for them and white bread is the least healthy option. This should only be offered to them rarely, if at all. You should not feed them things like cookies, crackers, cakes and other baked goods or snack foods.

What Can Syrian Hamsters Eat?

There are varieties of food specially formulated for Hamsters, but each hamster has a different metabolism and appetite. It is crucial to acquire knowledge and monitor what they eat. You don’t want to overfeed them.

What Vegetables Can Syrian Hamsters Eat

Numbers of vegetables, including eggplants, are healthy for Syrian Hamsters.

What Fruits And Vegetables Are Bad For Hamsters

Cayenne – The spicy component alone in cayenne could cause death to Syrian hamsters.

Can hamsters eat Almonds?

The Syrian hamster is fond of nuts and seeds. Your hamster will be fine with sweet almonds, but you should avoid bitter and salted ones.

Can hamsters eat chicken?

Hamsters love meat. It is both a portion of nutritious food and a great source of protein. In the Wild, Syrian hamsters usually eat insects.

Can hamsters eat chocolate?

Dark chocolate, incredibly dark chocolate, is toxic to hamsters because it contains theobromine.

Conclusion

Varieties of fruits and vegetables are suitable for Syrian hamsters but only in moderation. Most owners overfeed their hamsters, causing health issues.

How often should I give my hamster treats?

You can offer your hamster a few special treats which provides a little extra protein. Once or even twice a week the sort of tasty treats you can give your pet includes the following:

What to do if your hamster is putting on too much weight?

What to do if Your Hamster Puts on Too Much Weight. If you think your hamster is putting on too much weight, you need to take a close look at their diet and to see if you are feeding them a few too many "special treats".

How much water do hamsters drink?

Hamsters tend to drink quite a lot of water for such little creatures and will drink around 10 ml per 100g of body weight per day.

How much food should I feed my hamster?

You should feed around 10 grams of good quality commercial hamster food twice a day being careful to keep an eye on your pet's weight.

What is the best hamster mix?

The mix should contain all the necessary ingredients which typically consist of the following: Seeds. Grains. Nuts.

What do hamsters eat?

Seeds. Grains. Nuts. You can also feed hamsters a small amount of good quality fresh fruit and vegetables to add variety to their diet which includes the following: Apples. Carrots. Broccoli. Pears. Cabbage.

What to do before bringing a new pet home?

Do Your Research First. When it comes to diet, you need to do your homework first before bringing your new pet home and it's a good idea to include the children in the research so they know exactly how to look after them and what to feed them.

What do hamsters eat?

Pet stores offer hamster foods that are a mixture of seeds, nuts, oats, and other ingredients. These types of foods should not be used as the main diet. Your hamster will pick and choose what they want to eat and not get all of the nutrition they need. However, you can feed them a seed mix 3 times a week along with the lab blocks. This is just so that the hamster doesn't get bored. Make sure your hamster is eating the lab blocks before you give him the seed mix.

How do I care for a hamster?

Diet and nutrition is a highly important aspect of your hamster's health. Without proper feeding, your hamster will not have a long, well-balanced life. Not only does a good diet increase your hamster's lifespan and longevity, it also helps your hamster's appearance and energy.

What is the best pet for beginners?

Health Problems. Purchasing. Similar Pets. Back to Top. The Syrian hamster , also known as the golden hamster, is among the most popular choices for small pets. It's generally easy to tame, fun to watch, and fairly low-maintenance, making it a good pet for beginners.

Why are hamsters nippy?

Syrian hamsters have a reputation for being somewhat nippy pets. However, this trait is usually due to infrequent or improper handling. 1  As long as you don't squeeze or jostle your hamster as you hold it, it should learn to be content with people handling it.

How big should a hamster cage be?

At minimum, the cage should be 1 foot by 2 feet and at least a foot tall. In general, you’ll have your choice of a cage that is wire on the top with a plastic base or a standard glass or plastic aquarium with a tightly fitting mesh top. 2  The wire cages allow for better airflow, though they offer less protection against drafts.

How long should I keep hamster food in my enclosure?

Always keep a bowl of food in the enclosure, and discard uneaten food after 24 hours. Hamsters typically like to graze, storing food in their cheek pouches and stashing it somewhere for later.

What to feed a Syrian hamster?

Feed your Syrian hamster a diet of nuts, grains, and seeds (this is typically what's in the commercial food blends) supplemented with fruits and vegetables, such as apples, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and pears.

What is the most common health issue with a Syrian hamster?

Syrian hamsters are generally hardy animals. However, there are a few conditions to watch out for. Wet tail —a gastrointestinal infection usually associated with stress and bacteria proliferation—is the most common health issue affecting this hamster.

Why are captive bred dogs vulnerable?

In the wild, their population is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss. But captive-breeding programs have existed since the 1930s, both for science and the pet trade.

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.

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.

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.

Do hamsters eat food?

A hamster should have fresh, unspoiled food offered every day. Hamsters do hoard food, so an empty bowl does not have to be topped up. However, be sure she has food offered daily in the form of a commercial food, fresh fruit and vegetables, and an occasional treat.

Do hamsters need to be washed?

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. No. Hamsters are fastidious creatures and keep themselves clean, so they usually don't need to be washed. There are also risks associated with bathing a hamster, such as his inhaling water, drowning, or catching a chill.

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 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 to do if your hamster is not eating?

However, they could also simply be hoarding their food! Check their bedding for food that they may be keeping for a late-night snack, but do not remove it.

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.

What does a sailor love?

She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.

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.

Can you remove hamster food from a cage?

In general, you should not remove your hamster’s stash. This will cause them stress when they find that their stored food has suddenly vanished! Dry, pelleted food and seeds can last for quite some time, and it’s advisable to put their stash back exactly where you found it after cleaning their cage.

Can hamsters hold food?

Hamsters can hold a large amount of food inside their cheeks. Some people estimate that they can hold as much as the equivalent of their own bodyweight in cheek storage! Stashing food away is perfectly normal behavior for hamsters, but if you notice them storing large amounts of their food away, you are probably giving them too much. ...