Hamster Feeding Chart
| Veggies and Green | Grains | Fruits | Proteins | Fats |
| Lettuce | Cooked brown rice | Apple (no seeds) | Hard-boiled eggs | Pumpkin seeds |
| Kale | Whole-grain cereal | Cantaloupe | Mealworm | Sunflower seeds |
| Dandelion green | Cooked whole-wheat pasta | Banana | Crickets | Pistachios |
| Spinach | Oats | Blueberries | Cooked chicken | Pecans |
- 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.
What are good foods to feed your 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.
What should I feed my hamster every day?
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 baths?
Hamsters are fastidious groomers and do a good job keeping themselves clean, baths, as we tend to think of them, are not necessary. However, it is possible to spot-clean them, if they truly need it. It is especially important to check their bottom as sometimes bedding can stick after going to the bathroom.
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.
Feeding Your Hamster: General Guidelines
The easiest and safest approach to feeding your hamster is to go with a complete meal that you can find at a pet or store. “I recommend one of the...
Can Hamsters Eat Carrots?
Carrots are safe for hamsters to eat, however, they should be given in moderation, said Dr. Carol Osborne, owner of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center...
Can Hamsters Eat Tomatoes?
Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family and un-ripened tomatoes, along with the plant’s stems and leaves, contain tomatine, a solanum alkaloi...
What Other Fruits and Vegetables Can Hamsters Eat?
The following foods are safe for your hamster to eat: 1. Broccoli 2. Cauliflower 3. Kale 4. Cucumbers 5. Celery 6. Bok choy 7. Sweet potatoes (shou...
What Shouldn’T You Feed Your hamster?
While it may seem like you can give a hamster just about anything, there are some foods to steer clear of, including: 1. Apple seeds and skins 2. G...
What is the best diet for hamsters?
The Best Hamster Diet. The ideal diet for a hamster is a pelleted diet that is supplemented with a variety of other safe and human foods. If your hamster won't eat the pelleted diet then sprinkle some seed mixture onto the pellets or find a seed diet that already has pellets in it.
What to feed hamsters with seed mix?
It is important to pick a loose seed mix diet that contains a variety of foods such as grains and dried vegetables along with some seeds. Some loose seed mixed foods also contain a balanced pellet food as part of the mix (which is ideal). When feeding a loose seed mix, make sure your hamster empties the food bowl before adding more, not allowing your hamster to eat only its favorite things.
What is a pelleted hamster?
Pelleted hamster foods offer a completely balanced diet in every bite, and they are often recommended for this reason. 1 Pelleted diets can come in many shapes but usually look like small biscuits, cookies, or cereal. A hamster can be picky with loose seed mixes, eating only their favorite items, resulting in an unbalanced diet. Pelleted diets prevent this from happening, but they are a bit monotonous and some hamsters will refuse them. A pelleted mix can be supplemented with a variety of other items as long as the pelleted food makes up the bulk of the diet.
Can hamsters eat peanut butter?
Hamsters also usually love peanut butter but it must be fed carefully (as with any other sticky food) because it can get stuck in their cheek pouches and cause severe problems. A very thin layer on a piece of wood is okay as an occasional treat, but peanut butter must be given with caution.
Can hamsters eat honey?
Store-bought treats such as yogurt drops and honey/seed sticks are too sugary for a hamster and they should be avoided. Since dwarf hamsters are somewhat prone to diabetes it is also especially prudent to avoid sugar in their diet, so avoid fruits altogether as treats for them.
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.
How usually should I feed my hamster?
Hamsters are not such as human beings and also do not call for three meals a day. In the wild hamsters forage and also shop food in their cheek pouches and near to their nest, as a survival impulse for when food is limited. For that reason, your hamster will certainly have the exact same obsession, and also you may notice it emptying its bowl the min you fill it up. But, hamsters just have a tendency to eat little and usually throughout the day so, withstand the temptation to maintain topping it up and just load the dish daily.
What foods are risk-free for my hamster to consume?
What should I feed my hamster? There are a whole host of fruits, vegetables as well as herbs that are suitable for your hamster as well as which they will certainly find genuinely scrumptious when washed in advance as well as given up small amounts. These consist of:
When is the best time to feed my hamster?
There is still much debate over the very best time to feed a hamster. Personally, I would say pick a time, either morning or evening, that fits you finest and adhere to it to ensure that your hamster ends up being utilized to the very same routine.
What do dwarf hamsters consume besides hamster food?
Surprisingly a dwarf hamster can consume the very same quantity of food as a Syrian hamster, regardless of the dimension difference as their metabolism is a lot quicker! Dwarf hamsters can eat the same diet regimen as a Syrian hamster, nevertheless, their dimension puts them more in jeopardy of diabetic issues. For that reason, fruit and also fine-tuned items should not be given to tower over hamsters.
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 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 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.
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 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 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:
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.
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.
What to feed a hamster?
When your hamster deserves a little treat, consider some of the following: 1 Grains. This is the primary food for hamsters. You should provide approximately a tablespoonful daily. Grains offer protein and carbohydrates and can come from prepared hamster mixtures. Do not over feed fatty nuts (peanuts and sunflower seeds) as they promote obesity. These should be only a small part of the mixture. 2 Vegetables. Fresh, organically grown greens are the best. Romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, carrot tops, broccoli spears, spinach, artichokes and any other dark green veggies are great choices. Avoid iceberg lettuce and other veggies or fruits (like watermelon) that are high in water content as they can cause diarrhea. Remember to wash the vegetables thoroughly to remove traces of harmful pesticides. 3 Fruits. Hamsters love apples, pears, strawberries and bananas. They should be given in moderation, as a supplement to the regular diet. Be sure to remove any vegetables or fruits that are not eaten within 24 hours. 4 Timothy hay. Hay is a great gnawing food that can help keep your hamster's teeth in good condition. 5 Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily. 6 Treats! Yes, you can reward your hamster with her favorite hamster treats, just keep them in moderation.
What is a good diet for hamsters?
A well-balanced hamster diet consists of a high-quality hamster food that is specially formulated to provide the proper balanced nutrition with the ideal daily dosage of vitamins and minerals, plus all the other essential nutrients . When your hamster deserves a little treat, consider some of the following: Grains.
How to keep hamster teeth in good condition?
Timothy hay. Hay is a great gnawing food that can help keep your hamster's teeth in good condition. Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water , changed daily.
What are the best foods for hamsters?
These should be only a small part of the mixture. Vegetables. Fresh, organically grown greens are the best.
Can you give hamsters treats?
Treats! Yes, you can reward your hamster with her favorite hamster treats, just keep them in moderation. Just as important as what is safe to feed your pet, do not feed your hamster the following, as they are harmful to their health and can cause serious medical conditions: Chocolate. Caffeine.
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 do hamsters eat?
Hamsters can eat a lot of different fruits and vegetables, as well as a number of seeds and grains . We’ve made a list of some great foods that hamsters can enjoy safely, on the following page. Prev Next.
Can hamsters eat seeds?
Other Foods Not Suitable For Hamsters. Hamsters can eat a lot of different fruits and vegetables, as well as a number of seeds and grains. We’ve made a list of some great foods that hamsters can enjoy safely, on the following page.
Can you feed hamsters?
What Not To Feed A Hamster. When it comes to feeding hamsters, it might be best to stick to a list of what hamsters can eat rather than what they can’t. If you’re not sure whether or not your hamster can eat a certain food, it’s better to be safe than sorry and to not offer it to them.
