Some safe foods you can offer to your hamster are:
- Apples (no seeds)
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Dandelion greens
- Grapes
- Kale
- Peas
- Potato (cooked)
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Sweet potato
- Squash
- Hay
- Whole grain bread or toast
- Whole wheat pasta (cooked)
- Brown rice (cooked)
- Whole grain cereal (no sugary cereal)
- Mealworms
- Crickets
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Peanuts (unsalted)
- Pumpkin seeds
- Lentils
- Sunflower seeds
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 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 should you not feed hamsters?
Foods You Should Not Feed HamstersApple seeds.Raw beans.Raw potatoes.Almonds.Citrus fruit.Garlic.Onions.Rhubarb leaves or raw rhubarb.More items...•
What kills hamsters fast?
Old Age. Of course, given that hamsters have an average lifespan of 18 months to a year with a maximum of three years [8], most hamsters are not expected to live long. ... Stress. ... Heart Disease. ... Wet Tail. ... Pneumonia. ... Cancer. ... Other Infections. ... Kidney Disease.More items...•
What is a hamster's favorite treat?
Hamsters love apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, grapes and bananas. Fruit should be offered in moderation, as a supplement to their regular pelleted 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.
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.
Why do you buy pellets instead of mix?
Buy pellets instead of a mix so that your hamster eats a balanced diet rather than picking what he/she likes from the mix.
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?
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 do hamsters eat?
Hamsters are omnivores, meaning they eat meat and plants. In the wild, hamsters eat grain, grasses, seeds, and insects. It is crucial that hamsters in captivity have a diet similar to that of wild hamsters. All hamsters store food in their cheeks, which they sometimes save for later. Hamsters will eat a lot, so you must be careful to not overfeed them.
How much pellets should a hamster eat?
Captive hamsters of both species should be fed about 10 grams of hamster pellets twice per day, or one tablespoon once per day. Although dwarf hamsters are smaller, their metabolism is much faster, which is why they eat similar amounts to those of Syrian hamsters.
Can hamsters eat fruits or vegetables?
Aside from the occasional meaty treat, you can also feed your hamster a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Before giving your hamster a whole cube of any food, allow them to first try a small bite of it. Note that if you give your hamster too much of a plant-based food in one sitting, they may develop diarrhea. Unlike dogs, hamsters can eat grapes. They can also eat apples, bananas, blueberries, figs, pears, strawberries, and watermelon. If you feed your hamster grapes, apples, or pears, be sure to first remove the skin and any large seeds, and cut the fruit into reasonably sized pieces. One cube of fruit should be enough of a treat for one day. Indeed, hamsters should only be given fresh greens two to three times a week. Regarding edible vegetables, hamsters can eat carrots, celery, cucumber, green peppers, lettuce, pumpkin, spinach, and squash. Similar to when feeding fruits, skins and seeds should be removed from vegetables prior to being given to a hamster.
Do hamsters store food?
All hamsters store food in their cheeks, which they sometimes save for later. Hamsters will eat a lot, so you must be careful to not overfeed them. There are two types of hamsters usually kept as pets: Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters.
Do hamsters eat meat?
Since wild hamsters eat insects, you might feed your hamster live or dried crickets or mealworms. If you’re too squeamish to handle insects, hamsters can also eat some cooked meats. Cooked chicken and cooked beef are safe to feed ...
Can hamsters eat pineapple?
Any meat, fruit, or vegetable fed to a hamster should be prepared immediately prior to feeding. Do not allow food in a hamster’s cage to rot.
Can you feed a hamster?
Feeding a hamster doesn’t have to be difficult. If you have more questions regarding what to feed your hamster, consult a veterinarian that specializes in small animals. Otherwise, hopefully this guide has proved helpful to you!
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.
Do dogs need pellets?
However, your pet does need a high-quality commercial pellet as a main diet to meet their nutritional needs. However, in addition to their daily meals, it's fun to offer them a bit of variety in the form of different treats. Remember, treats should never make up more than 10% of your pet's overall diet and not make a dramatic changes ...
