what to feed dwarf hamster

What is the best food to feed a dwarf hamster?

Green leafy Romaine or other lettuces are ideal, as well as spinach leaves. Broccoli, cauliflower and kale are crunchy additions to his diet. Other examples of healthy vegetables include cucumbers, celery, red and green peppers, bok choy and sweet potatoes. Beans and legumes are also an acceptable treat.

What fruit can dwarf hamsters eat?

Fruits ˇ Hamsters love apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, grapes and bananas. Fruit should be offered in moderation, as a supplement to their regular pelleted diet. Remove any vegetables or fruits that are not eaten within 10-12 hours so they don't spoil.

What fruits and vegetables can dwarf hamsters eat?

Fresh (rinsed with water) veggies are good, and examples include carrots, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, romaine lettuce, spinach and other greens. Fresh fruits (rinsed in water) are good too, such as apples, pears, bananas, grapes and most berries.

What can dwarf hamsters eat everyday?

Feeding your hamster one nut a day or one every two to three days is recommended, as overfeeding them nuts can lead to obesity .Bran & Wheat Germ.Cooked Pasta, dried.Cooked Rice, dried.Dry toast.Flaxseed.Oats.Peanuts (ideally raw and in shell, hamsters love it as a chew)Popped Quinoa.More items...•

What can hamsters drink?

Hamsters should only drink water. Water provides them with all they need to survive and stay hydrated, and there really is no other substitute. Whether you give your hamster tap water or filtered bottled water depends on the quality of the tap water where you live.

Do dwarf hamsters get their period?

Hamsters don't have a menstrual period in the same way women do, but you may notice a discharge during your pet's predictable, four-day reproductive cycle.

Do dwarf hamsters get lonely?

It's tempting to bring home more than one hamster to keep just one from being lonely; but the reality is hamsters are solitary animals. Dwarf hamsters can be exceptions, but you have to monitor carefully. Having more than one hamster in a cage is often a recipe for trouble.

How often should I feed my dwarf hamster?

once per dayIn general, you should feed your hamster once per day, ideally in the evening when it's waking up and becoming active. Discard any uneaten food after 24 hours. Look for a commercial hamster food blend that's specifically formulated for dwarf hamsters.

What do dwarf hamsters like to play with?

What Do Hamsters Like to Play With?Exercise Wheel. Hamsters love to run on exercise wheels. ... Chew Toys. Chew toys serve dual purposes: they provide amusement, but they also provide a surface for your hamster to gnaw on. ... Tunnels. Tunnels are a great source of amusement and exercise for hamsters. ... Hamster Balls.

Can dwarf hamsters eat vegetables?

Hamsters can eat most fruits but should not eat fruit seeds or pits, citrus fruit or rhubarb. What vegetables can dwarf hamsters eat? Hamsters can eat most vegetables except garlic, onions, unripe tomatoes and raw beans and potatoes.

Can dwarf hamsters eat bananas?

Dwarf hamsters are also highly susceptible to diabetes, making fruits with especially high sugar content poor choices for offering often. Keep figs, grapes, mango, bananas, cherries and apples to a minimum.

Can a dwarf hamster eat carrots?

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

Can dwarf hamsters eat apples with the skin?

Yes, skins shouldn't be a cause of concern if you're feeding apples to your hamsters. Seeds should be. Make sure to remove the seeds of the fruit before giving them to your hamster. Also, thoroughly wash the apple before feeding it to your hamster.

Can Dwarf hamsters have strawberries?

Fruit Supplementation Offer your hamster tiny bites of fruit every two to three days. Make sure your pet never is near any spoiled fruit pieces, however. Strawberries are a safe fruit choice, along with apples, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, bananas, raspberries, lychees and melons.

Can Dwarf hamsters have bananas?

Dwarf hamsters are also highly susceptible to diabetes, making fruits with especially high sugar content poor choices for offering often. Keep figs, grapes, mango, bananas, cherries and apples to a minimum.

What human foods can hamsters eat?

What Human Foods Can Hamsters Eat?Sugarless breakfast cereals or grains.Greens.Seeds.Carrots.Apples.Raisins.Peas.Pepper.More items...•

What to do if my dwarf hamster is not eating?

If you notice that he's consistently not eating a certain food, switch it out for something else . For example, if you notice that he doesn't like one kind of fruit (e.g., apple), replace with it another fruit (e.g., banana).

How big are dwarf hamsters?

This article has been viewed 295,939 times. Dwarf hamsters are cute and very tiny animals that measure only about two to four inches in length. They are relatively low maintenance, which makes them great to keep as pets.

What is the best food for a dwarf hamster?

Protein is an important nutrient for your dwarf hamster. Fortunately, there are several great protein sources from which you can choose. For example, raw and unsalted seeds, such as sunflower, flax, and sesame, are high in protein. Lentils are another good protein source.

What is the best fiber for hamsters?

Natural sources of fiber, such as timothy hay and alfalfa hay, are good sources of fiber. Your dwarf hamster may not be a fan of hay, but you can give him a small amount to see if he will like it. ...

What to feed hamsters?

Give your hamster fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables add extra nutrition as well as variety to your hamster’s diet. Make sure to wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly with fresh water to remove any pesticides or other chemicals.

Can you clean a dwarf hamster's water bottle?

This will not make your dwarf hamster sick, but it will mean that you will need to clean his water bottle more often. The water bottle can be secured to the inside of the cage with two small clips that you can find at your local pet store, in case the clips didn’t already come with the bottle.

Can you feed a dwarf hamster pellets?

Commercial hamster food has a high nutritional value, but should not be the only type of food you feed your dwarf hamster. The pellet formulation allows your dwarf hamster to gnaw on his food, which can be good for his dental hygiene. Choose a commercial food that has about 15 to 20% protein.

What do hamsters eat?

It’s also important to add fiber to your hamster’s diet. Natural sources of fiber, such as timothy hay and alfalfa hay, are good sources of fiber. Another thing that you should know is that Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters absolutely love insects, and you should feed them (not all insects) if you can.

What is the best food for a dwarf hamster?

Here are some of the best options when it comes to hamster food that’s best for dwarf hamsters: Kaytee Fiesta Hamster Food – this food mix is actually great for both dwarf hamsters and larger Syrian hamsters. It has natural veggies and fruits to add some variety and improve the nutrient content of the mix.

How long can a hamster live without food?

Know that hamsters can only live three to four days without food and/or water. You should feed your hamster twice a day, once in the morning, and once again in the evening. Your hamster should get a full tablespoon of hamster food mixture daily – so give your hamster half a tablespoon of mixture each time you feed it.

How long does it take for a dwarf hamster to get out of the house?

Fruits and vegetables can become spoiled and moldy very quickly, and it’s especially important to take them out after 24 hours. Something that you should keep in mind is that dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes. Their bodies are very small and it’s difficult for them to deal with high levels of sugar in their bodies.

What is the most popular hamster?

Dwarf hamsters definitely top the group for the most popular hamsters in the world. They’re immensely popular all around the world, and their numbers only grow by the day. If you’re an owner of this furry species, then you have to know their dietary requirements, how much they need to eat, and what they’re eating.

Why does my hamster sneeze?

If you’ve noticed your hamster sneezing, they may be allergic to their bedding or something in their food. It could also be microscopic dust in the air. Try switching beddings, foods, to an unscented fabric softener, and use an air filter by your hamster’s cage to eliminate all allergens in that environment.

What to feed a hamster?

Provide your hamster with different types of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds on a daily basis. Don’t fear to reduce the sizes of your hamster’s meals if you notice that it’s gaining a lot of weight, as you don’t want it to become too fat. When you’re feeding your hamster, it’s best to use a food bowl.

What to feed a dwarf hamster?

Grains, Seeds, & Nuts. Whole grains make for a great healthy snack for dwarf hamsters. When it comes to cooked pasta, whole-grain rice, and wheat toast, make sure that they are cooled before you serve them to your pet.

Can dwarf hamsters eat?

Dwarf hamsters can eat a variety of food but some are safer than most. Here is a comprehensive list of food that your dwarf hamsters would be able to eat without any risks to their health. This should be the main food group that you feed your dwarf hamster because it contains the essential nutrients your pet needs.

Do dwarf hamsters have diabetes?

Roborovski dwarf hamsters, however, are less likely to develop diabetes.

Can you feed a dwarf hamster pellets?

Hamster mixes and pellets should make up the bulk of your hamster’s food as they come with more or less the complete nutritional requirements needed by your pet. Fresh food is also a viable source of nutrients for your dwarf hamster but you should be careful when it comes to feeding your pet fresh food because not all of them are safe to eat. ...

Can hamsters eat fruit?

When it comes to fresh food, experts advise hamster owners to feed their pets fruits with high water content. However, this doesn’t mean you should go overboard with feeding your hamster high-water containing fruits because doing so might result in diarrhea – a disease which is all too common in the hamster world.

Is eating almonds bad for hamsters?

Almonds, for example, contain cyanide which is poisonous to hamsters. Garlic, onion, and chocolate are also toxic to hamsters just as they are to cats and dogs.

The Good

Starting off with what they can eat, and it is good news! Hamsters can eat a wide variety of foods, and it is generally easy to provide them with all the nutrients and goodness they need.

The Best

Okay, so you know roughly what is good to feed your dwarf hamster, but for a lot of us, good just isn’t enough when it comes to our pets. We want the best. That is why we have selected four of the absolute best dwarf hamster feeds currently on the market, so you can get one with confidence that your pet won’t just survive, but thrive.

The Bad

Unfortunately, though, dwarf hamsters cannot eat everything, and there are a number of foods you should always avoid.

What is Vitakraft hamster food?

The Vitakraft VitaSmart Complete Nutrition Hamster food is another great option if your hamster loves variety in their meals. The VitaSmart is made up of a mix of things like soybeans, alfalfa, flaxseeds, timothy hay, and beets. From a nutritional standpoint, the Vitakraft food contains DHA and omega-3 fatty acids.

What is browns tropical hamster food?

Brown’s Tropical has a variety of shapes and textures made up of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and grains. The Tropical Carnival hamster food is a great choice when it comes to getting all the necessary vitamins and nutrients into your dwarf hamster’s diet.

What is Hartz Bonanza Hamster food?

The Hartz Bonanza Hamster and Gerbil food comes in at the number six spot on our list. This is a high fiber mix filled with grains. Some of the ingredients include nuts and fortified pellets.

What is the best food for hamsters?

Feeding your hamster something healthy and natural is always win for you and your pet. The Sunseed food is fortified with omega-3 and probiotics to help support digestion. The Sunseed food is quite crunchy, which will help keep your hamster’s teeth in great shape.

What is the Higgins Sunburst made of?

The makeup of the Higgins Sunburst consists of mixed dried fruits, sun-cured hay, pre-cooked legumes, and flaked vegetables. With these natural ingredients, the food is packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. This particular food also contains omega-3 fatty acids.

What are some good insects for hamsters?

Some of the best insects for dwarf hamsters are grasshoppers and crickets. When it comes to safe and healthy fruits and vegetables, there is a large variety of options that dwarf hamsters will likely enjoy. Some of the best fruits to share are pears, blueberries, and raspberries.

Can hamsters eat dwarf food?

There are lots of different hamster foods on the market , but not all of them are formulated for a dwarf hamster. This miniature hamster needs a bit more of a healthier diet than a standard hamster mix. Conventional hamster food is going to be more sugary than dwarf hamsters need.

What are some foods that are toxic to hamsters?

Some foods are very harmful and toxic to hamsters. Prominent ones include chocolate, candy, and sweets. Avocados contain a dangerous substance that can cause animal heart failure. Bitter Almonds and Apple Seeds contain a substance called glycoside amygdalin, that when eaten can turn into hydrogen cyanide.

What to feed a hamster?

Supplement your hamster’s diet with fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. It is important not to go overboard with the fresh foods because they can go rotten in the cage, and also hamsters like to store food away. Excess fruit and veg can also cause stomach upsets and diarrhea. Wash any fruit and Veg before giving to your hamster in case it contains ...

How much protein does a dwarf hamster need?

Resealable Bag to keep Fresh. A balanced diet for a Dwarf Hamsters consists of 16-24% protein, 60-65% carbohydrates, and 5–7% fat, with access to fresh water at all times.

What is hamster mix?

Typically hamster mix contains nuts, seeds, pellets and grains. The pellet nature allows your pet to gnaw on the food making it beneficial to dental hygiene. It is advisable to choose a commercial hamster mix that meets all nutritional requirements. Food. Features.

Do dwarf hamsters have diabetes?

Unlike Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters are quite prone to diabetes, so they have a different dietary requirement to Syrians. Many commercially available hamster food formulas have ingredients that could upset the Dwarf Hamster blood sugar levels.

Can hamsters eat vegetables?

Bear in mind hamsters like to take their food and store it in their nests, so it’s a good idea not to feed fresh every day. Rotting vegetables in the nest isn’t good for hamster hygiene ...

Can you give hamsters a treat?

If your hamster mix does not already contain them, you can buy them separately and give them one a day as a treat. They contain protein and fat so they should sparingly be given. Check out our best hamster treats page for more information on what is the best and safest hamster treat.

Foods You Should Avoid Feeding Chinese Dwarf Hamster?

There are different types of foods that can be dangerous for Chinese Dwarf hamsters. Following are the list of food that you should avoid feeding Chinese Dwarf hamsters:

How Much Food Should I Give My Dwarf Hamster?

Though they’re usually smaller than the average hamster, these furry rodents still require a substantial amount of food to survive. Therefore, it is important to provide your pet with a constant supply of high-quality food containing proper nutrients. However, the amount of food you should give your hamster depends on its age and size.

What Are The Best Food Options For My Chinese Dwarf Hamster To Eat In Winter?

Replace your Chinese dwarf hamster’s regular diet with a protein-based diet and fresh vegetables during winter. A protein-based diet is a priority.

Is It Okay If My Hamsters Eat Dry Dog Food?

Dry dog food contains a lot of fillers and carbs that are not good for Chinese Dwarf hamsters, just like many other rodents. If you want your pet dwarfs to eat something different than their standard diet, try switching them over from one type of rodent food (like rat pellets) to another (like mouse block).

What Should I Feed My Chinese Dwarf Hamster When It Gets Sick?

If your hamster gets sick and cannot eat independently, you feed them liquid food using a syringe. You should blend protein-based food with added water such as – hardboiled egg, cooked chicken, nuts, etc.

How To Feed A Baby Chinese Dwarf Hamsters?

You should know several things about when it comes to feeding a baby Chinese Dwarf hamster, so I will cover those points in this section:

Did I Answer Everything You Wanted To Know About What Can I Feed My Chinese Dwarf Hamster?

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to feeding your Chinese Dwarf Hamster. It’s not as simple as opening up the fridge and grabbing whatever food is handy. There are many foods you can feed your Chinese Dwarf Hamster, but Not all types of food are good for them.

What is the personality of a dwarf hamster?

Dwarf Hamster Behavior and Temperament. Dwarf hamsters comprise many species, and each has some specific personality traits. 1  For instance, the Campbell hamster is a curious little creature that's notably easy to handle. The Robo (or Roborovski) hamster —a particularly tiny dwarf hamster that weighs in at just over 3/4 ounce—stays awake ...

What are the health problems of dwarf hamsters?

Dwarf hamsters are prone to a variety of health problems, and before acquiring one you must make sure there's a veterinarian near you who will treat this animal. Hair loss and skin lesions can result from several different issues.

How to keep hamsters from chewing on bedding?

Avoid cedar-based bedding, as it can be toxic to small animals. Include an exercise wheel in the enclosure that has a solid surface, not bars, for your hamster to run on. Also provide plenty of wooden chew sticks or mineral chews in the enclosure. Chewing maintains a hamster's incisor teeth, which grow continuously.

How big should a dwarf hamster cage be?

A dwarf hamster's habitat should be as large as possible, allowing for maximum exercise and play. A cage that's roughly 1 foot by 2 feet with a height of around a foot is the bare minimum that some animal groups recommend.

How long does it take for a hamster to die from a wet tail?

Hamsters with wet tail should be treated immediately by a vet, as this condition can lead to death within 48 to 72 hours.

How to keep hamsters safe?

Calm, gentle handling from a young age can help them to feel safe when held. 3  It's best to sit on the ground in a secured space (such as a small bedroom with the door shut) when holding your hamster, as these animals can move quite quickly and might break free of your hold if you're not paying attention.

Where do dwarf hamsters live?

Dwarf hamsters are actually several tiny species of hamsters that are native primarily to desert regions around the world. These social little creatures differ from their larger, more territorial cousins, thriving in pairs or small groups as opposed to living alone. As pets, they are generally docile and easy to handle, ...

How do dwarf hamsters stay healthy?

Dwarf hamsters are playful creatures and they need exercise to stay healthy, just like us! The best way you can do this is by providing plenty of opportunities for exercise such as hamster wheels, climbing frames and a large cage for exploration.

How to get a dwarf hamster to explore?

Place your hand flat of the surface of the hamster cage and allow your pet to explore – place a treat in the middle of your hand to encourage this. Once familiar with your hand, gently scoop the dwarf hamster from underneath and lightly stroke him/her.

How do I set up a dwarf hamster cage?

Most cages will require some level of assembly but once put together, you’re good to go. Add hamster substrate/bedding first, be sure to use a safe and comfortable hamster bedding in your cage.

How long do dwarf hamsters live?

Check for clear eyes, good colouration, a happy temperament and no hair loss. Dwarf hamsters only live for around 2 years, finding a hamster that’s healthy will allow you to enjoy your pet for longer and create a true bond.

What is the most common dwarf hamster?

Campbell’s hamsters are probably the most common dwarf species that you’ll find in the pet store. These animals are now available in a wide range of colors thanks to selective breeding and are usually very sociable.

What do you need to bring a hamster home?

Before bringing your hamster home, it’s important to make sure you have all the supplies you need to provide a safe and healthy environment. Here’s a handy checklist: 1 Suitable hamster cage 2 Suitable bedding and substrate material 3 Hamster nesting area (hamster homes) 4 Food bowl 5 Water bottle 6 Toys for enrichment (climbing frames, tunnels, wheels, etc.) 7 Hamster ball (s) 8 Dwarf hamster foods and treats 9 Non-toxic cleaning products

What is the substrate of a hamster?

Substrate = The material used on the bottom surface of your hamster enclosure to absorb waste. Bedding = The material used for warmth and comfort in your hamster’s nesting area. (these words of sometimes used interchangeably but this is the true meaning) Some hamster owners still use sawdust in their cages.