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what to feed russian dwarf hamsters

by Dr. Kyra Balistreri Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Select a commercial food for your dwarf hamster. Russian dwarf hamsters eat like other hamsters. Hamster food comes in pelleted form or as seed mixes.
  2. Add fresh vegetables to your dwarf hamster’s diet. Your dwarf hamster needs to eat more than just pellets and seed mixes.
  3. Include a protein source in your dwarf hamster’s diet. Protein is an important component of your dwarf hamster’s balanced diet.
  4. Feed your dwarf hamster grains. Whole grains (whole wheat toast, cooked rice, cooked pasta, unsweetened cereal) make great, healthy snacks for your dwarf hamster.
  5. Incorporate treats into your dwarf hamster’s diet. Treats are another good way to add variety to what your dwarf hamster eats every day.
  6. Avoid feeding your dwarf hamster certain foods. Russian dwarf hamsters are prone to developing diabetes, so high-sugar foods, such as fruits, should be avoided.
  7. Provide your dwarf hamster with fresh water. Your Russian dwarf hamster will need constant access to fresh water.

A well-balanced dwarf hamster diet consists of:
  1. High-quality hamster lab blocks or other commercially-available, nutritionally-complete pelleted food for hamsters and limited amounts of grains, vegetables, fruits, and Timothy or other grass hay.
  2. Clean, fresh water, changed daily, in a sipper bottle or a shallow bowl.

Full Answer

What is the best food for dwarf hamsters?

List of the best vegetables for a dwarf hamster:

  • Asparagus
  • Basil
  • Bean sprouts
  • Bell pepper
  • Broccoli
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Choy sum
  • Clover

More items...

What do Russian dwarf hamsters like to eat?

“Hamster Food List To Eat and Not To”

  1. Cooked Ground Beef (Greaseless)
  2. Bread
  3. Cooked Chicken or Turkey (Steamed/Baked)
  4. Crickets (Pet Shop)
  5. Eggs (Boiled/Scrambled)
  6. Dog Biscuits
  7. Fish Cod
  8. Grasshoppers (Pet Shop)
  9. Lab Blocks
  10. Low Fat Cottage Cheese

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What vegetables can Russian dwarf hamesters eat?

bell peppers: Can be fed to dwarf hamsters. Black beans: Yes they can have a few at a time. Black beans: Yes they can have a few at a time. Bok choy: Yes they can eat it, bok choy is fine for them. Boiled potatoes: Fine for hamsters to eat. Broccoli: This means that they can eat it in very small amounts on an occasional basis. Can be fed to dwarf hamsters

What fruits can dwarf hamsters eat?

List of the best fruits for a dwarf hamster:

  • Apple (no seeds)
  • Banana
  • Blackberry
  • Blueberry
  • Cantaloupe
  • Coconut
  • Cherry
  • Grapes (seedless)
  • Guava
  • Honeydew

More items...

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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.

What is the best food for Russian Dwarf hamsters?

Russian dwarf hamsters should be fed pellet food and treats that are suitable for their stomachs, such as walnuts and cashews in moderation, oats and barley, and seeds like sunflower or pumpkin. Vegetables such as bean sprouts and bell peppers are also fine.

How often do you feed Russian Dwarf hamsters?

In 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.

How much do you feed a Russian dwarf hamster?

He will only need about one tablespoon of hamster food each day, plus the occasional treat and fresh food. While a tablespoon of food might look like a lot compared to these tiny creatures, dwarf hamsters actually have very fast metabolisms and can eat the same amount as their larger cousins.

What vegetables can Russian Dwarf hamsters eat?

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.

Can Russian Dwarf hamsters eat carrots?

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

What fruits and veggies 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.

Can dwarf hamsters eat banana?

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.

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.

Can Russian Dwarf hamsters eat 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.

What are hamsters favorite food?

Hamsters enjoy leafy greens such as dandelions and clover, and fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, carrots and cabbage.

Do dwarf hamsters need special food?

A well-balanced dwarf hamster diet consists of: High-quality hamster lab blocks or other commercially-available, nutritionally-complete pelleted food for hamsters and limited amounts of grains, vegetables, fruits, and Timothy or other grass hay. Clean, fresh water, changed daily, in a sipper bottle or a shallow bowl.

What do Russian dwarfs need to live in their cage?

There are two types of materials that are needed for the home of your Russian Dwarf. These are sawdust, wood shavings or paper pellets (if you’re allergic to dust, paper pellets are best) for the bottom of your cage and suitable nesting materials like tissue paper and toilet paper.

How to keep a hamster happy?

A great easy way to keep your hamster happy and occupied in its surroundings is by changing (moving) their toys, bedding areas, food bowls and accessories around after cleaning out their environment.

Why do hamsters nip?

This can result in a nip or a bite from your hamster, because they think your hand could be food or a foe. Always pick Russian Dwarf Hamsters up from underneath like you would scoop water with 2 hands. What To Do If Your Hamster Nibbles Or Bites – All types of hamsters nibble and bite.

Do you need to bin food for a Russian dwarf hamster?

You do not need to bin food, chewies for mineral blocks. Simply remove them first the put them back in after. How to easily clean your hamster cage fast – What we do for our male Russian dwarfs is place hamsters in their exercise balls, empty all old bedding, nesting (tissue) and remaining food into a bin bag.

Can hamsters chew on wood?

They can have soft rawhide chews (these are normally sold for dogs – see picture of my hamster Hubert, with his rawhide toothbrush) and they also love to chew on wooden items. Special hamster treats are great and they love them, however they are only treats so don’t feed them too many to avoid obesity and diabetes.

Do Russian dwarf hamsters burrow in cages?

Russian Dwarf Hamsters love to create nests and burrow in their cages. When setting up your Hamster cage, bedding will soak up their litter and provide comfort. See the video below showing the basic layout for a Russian Dwarf Hamster environment. There are two types of materials that are needed for the home of your Russian Dwarf.

Do hamsters need a cage?

The cage must be kept in a dry environment away from direct sunlight and drafty areas. This is essential for a happy hamster.

What do dwarf hamsters eat?

Dwarf hamsters love their natural foods which is why sweet fruits are perfect for treat time. You can also provide safe insects, seeds and any other foods your hamster loves to eat!

How to keep dwarf hamster healthy?

The best thing you can do to keep your dwarf hamster healthy is provide a balanced diet. Use a mixture of the food suggestions listed above to create a nutrient-rich diet that’s packed with energy.

How often do hamsters wake up?

The truth is, dwarf hamsters are active during the day, waking up every few hours for a stretch, drink and a bite to eat. In the wild, hamsters will forage for food during the night and wake up throughout the day to enjoy their findings. Morning feeds or evening feeds are perfectly fine, just keep each feed around 24 hours apart.

What is the benefit of hamsters?

Key Benefits: Ideal for all types of hamsters (and gerbils) Naturally preserved and plenty of natural fruits and veggies for your hamster to enjoy. Food shapes and textures support natural dental care. Rich in antioxidants for immune system support.

Why are dwarf hamsters so vulnerable?

Dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes. Their small bodies struggle to cope with high sugar levels which is why they’re so vulnerable. The main cause of diabetes is poor feeding habits and high-sugar treats that are provided by the owner.

Do hamsters like treats?

Hammies love their treats and can get pretty excited when something sweet is heading their way. The key is to feed treats sparingly and use them as rewards when handling your pet. Not all treats have to be unhealthy and listed below are some of the best hamster treats money can buy.

Is Kaytee good for hamsters?

Kaytee have managed to produce a healthy food mix that’s perfect for both dwarf hamsters and the larger Syrian hamster! This food mix incorporates natural veggies and fruits to add some variety and improve the nutrient content of the mix. It’s a great little food mix that should keep your hamsters very happy indeed!

How much food should I feed my Russian dwarf hamster?

Hamster food comes in pelleted form or as seed mixes. Your dwarf hamster should eat either one tablespoon of pellets or one to two teaspoons of seed mix per day. [13]

How to keep a Russian dwarf hamster healthy?

Environmental enrichment is an important way to keep your Russian dwarf hamster mentally and physically active. The more enriched his environment, the happier and healthier he will be, and the easier it will be to tame and handle him. Examples of toys include empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes.

How to get a dwarf hamster to exercise?

Make sure the exercise wheel is solid—your dwarf hamster could get his feet stuck in wires and potentially break a leg bone. If the exercise wheel starts to sound squeaky after a while, grease it with Vaseline where needed. An exercise ball will allow your dwarf hamster to exercise outside of his cage.

How big should a dwarf hamster cage be?

In fact, the larger the cage, the better. Your dwarf hamster’s cage should be at least 60 cm (24 inches) long and 40 cm (16 inches) deep. A larger cage will not get dirty as quickly. With a large cage to call home, your dwarf hamster won't be as likely to get bored or agitated.

How to keep dwarf hamsters from escaping?

The bar spacing in a wire cage should be less than one-half inch to prevent him from escaping. The wires should also be covered with a substance called PVC to prevent rusting. Make sure the cage flooring is smooth. Your dwarf hamster could get his feet stuck in wire flooring and possibly break one of his leg bones.

What foods should I avoid for dwarf hamsters?

Russian dwarf hamsters are prone to developing diabetes, so high-sugar foods, such as fruits, should be avoided. Other high-sugar foods to avoid include corn, white bread, and white rice. Some foods—raisins, potatoes, onions, garlic, sprouts—are toxic to dwarf hamsters and should be avoided .

How do I keep a hamster cage clean?

1. Choose a cage that is safe and easy to clean. A good cage for your hamster is one that keeps him safe and is easy for you to clean. A wire hamster cage with solid flooring is generally the best choice. The bar spacing in a wire cage should be less than one-half inch to prevent him from escaping.

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 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.

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 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. ...

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.

Can a dwarf hamster eat watermelon?

A watermelon’s water content is too high for him. Almonds contain cyanic acid, which can make your dwarf hamster very sick. Fruit seeds can be harmful to your dwarf hamster. If you would like to feed your dwarf hamster fruits that have seeds (apples, peaches, plums), make sure to remove the seeds first.

Cage

You know that hamsters aren’t usually suitable to be left all day around the house, because they get into all sorts of nooks and crannies and we’d be spending all day looking for them while they gnaw everything.

Maintain hygiene

Your Russian dwarf hamster will be a very clean animal and, as such, will want its cage, as well as the places where it eats and drinks, to be kept clean. You can also put a sort of pool inside the cage so that it can bathe and keep itself clean.

Substrate

The hamster will do their “business” in their cage, and so it’s best to put in a base of sawdust that you’ll have to change at least once a week. This should never be cedar, as it emits a smell that can be harmful to your hamster’s health.

Take it out every day

If you want to have a loving and friendly Russian dwarf hamster, and above all, one that doesn’t bite, it needs to socialize.

Do not bother him

This type of hamster is very sleepy, and not only does it by necessity, but by taste. So, if you see it sleeping, don’t bother it, because that will only sour its character. If there are children at home, make sure they are aware of this too, as they could reach into the cage and get bitten.

The food

Although it’s true that the Russian hamster can eat fruit and vegetables, their diet should be based on specialized feed for them. Just look in the shops and ask for advice on what would be best for your pet.

Buy them a toy

Like all animals, the Russian dwarf hamster also has instincts that they need to satisfy and one of them is gnawing. Give them a toy to do this, because this will also help to control the growth of their teeth, something that never stops throughout their life.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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