What Can Hamsters Eat
Hamsters are omnivores, which means they eat a variety of plants and insects. The healthiest diet for your hamster is one that is comparable to what it would consume in the wild, which includes fresh vegetables and protein-rich treats like mealworms.
As a hamster owner, you might be wondering what kinds of foods your pet can consume. Fortunately, your hamster may safely ingest a wide variety of human foods.
Fresh Fruits
Fruits are rich in vitamins, fiber, and water content, all of which can benefit your little buddy! Remove any seeds before giving them to your hamster. Seeds are known to be choking dangers for hamsters, and some, like as apple seeds, contain toxins that might be fatal to your hamster!
Fresh fruit should be provided as a treat on occasion to minimize diarrhea and to lower the risk of diabetes, especially in dwarf hybrid hamsters.
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, should not be fed to your hamster.
Following are the safe fruits which you can feed your hamster occasionally:
- Apples (Seedless)
- Pears (Seedless)
- Papaya
- Apricots
- Cherries (Seedless)
- Dates
- Figs
- Guava
- Melons
- Kiwis
- Lychees (Seedless)
- Mangos
- Peaches (No pits)
- Plums (No pits)
- Watermelon (Seedless)
- Dried Organic Coconut
Pelleted Diet
Pelleted hamster diets provide a complete balanced diet in every bite and are frequently suggested for this reason. Pelleted diets can take numerous forms, but the most common are miniature biscuits, cookies, or cereal. With loose seed mixtures, a hamster might be fussy, consuming just their favorite things, resulting in an imbalanced diet. Pelletized feeds avoid this, although they are boring and some hamsters will refuse them. A pelleted mix can be supplemented with a number of other foods as long as the pelleted food is the primary source of nutrition.
Protein
Meat proteins can be fed to hamsters to aid in their growth and development. Young hamsters, in particular, require more protein than adult hamsters. Some protein-rich meals to feed your hamster are listed below.
It’s vital to know that most animal protein feeds must be COOKED before they can be fed to your hamster. Raw meat and raw eggs should never be provided to hamsters since they have a high concentration of germs and parasites that can be deadly.
Fatty foods are also discouraged since they are not a natural dietary source for hamsters. Feeding them a lot of fatty foods can put them at risk for obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and renal disease.
- Chicken breast, cooked.
- Crickets that have been dried.
- Eggs – boiled or scrambled without oil/milk (Feed only Whites).
- Cottage cheese with low fat.
- Mealworms.
- Yogurt with no added sugar.
- Tofu (If you’re concerned, blanch it in boiling water for 10 seconds before feeding it to your pet; a recommended serving of one teaspoon per day is sufficient).
Vegetables
You can feed your hamster Cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables, sometimes known as brassicas, include cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli. They include a lot of vitamins, minerals, and fibre while being low in calories. To avoid diarrhea, start with a very little amount, half a teaspoon is sufficient as with other veggies you may feed to hamsters.
Carrots and sweet potatoes are also OK to feed to hamsters, but be careful that they are heavy in sugar. On the good side, they’re hard and may help wear down their teeth, as well as being high in fiber. Don’t offer them to your hamster too frequently, and only a small amount a cubic centimeter is adequate!
Before feeding the sweet potato, make sure to boil it and remove the skins.
Seeds
Seeds are a favorite of your hamster. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are two of their favorites. You can feed them with or without the husk, as long as the seeds are not salted and do not contain any additives. They’re high in healthy fats, so limit to three a day to avoid obesity.
Nuts
Most nuts are OK to give your hamster, however almonds should be avoided owing to their high cyanide concentration. Walnut and pine nuts are safe to feed. Nuts are high in vitamins and minerals, they are also high in fat and can quickly lead to obesity and diarrhea. You can feed your hamster a tiny bit of chopped nut on a daily basis, but not every day.
What can Hamsters Chew On?
Hamsters like chewing and gnawing on items. It’s normal behaviour that keeps their teeth healthy and prevents them from becoming overgrown. It also keeps your hamster entertained and keeps them from becoming bored.
Hamsters like shredding and chewing on items such as:
- Cardboard
- Coconut shells
- Hay cubes
- Unbleached loofah
- Pumice stone
- Seagrass
Some Frequently Asked Questions
What Fresh Food Can a Hamster Eat?
Hamsters are tiny and delicate creatures. If they are not properly cared for, they are prone to a variety of ailments. We are here to guide you on how to take care of your little buddy, what to feed them and how to treat them when they are sick or not feeling well. Keep visiting for more and support us by subscribing to our Youtube Channel.