Hamster Heaven: 5 Best Foods for Your Pet Hamster
Hamsters are a kind of rodent that is native to Syria, Greece, Belgium, and Romania.
In the wild, hamsters are active at night, and they dig burrows to store their food and hibernate in the cold season.
Hamsters feed in quite a unique way. They carry food in the pouches in their cheeks to their colony, and you can even see your pet storing meals under their bedding.
What Do Pet Hamsters Eat?
Hamsters are omnivorous, and they can eat a wide range of food such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, nuts, and various insects. Give your hamster high quality and a high variety of food and occasional treats.
5 Best Food for Your Hamsters
Before we jump into details about the top 5 hamster foods I recommend, here is a quick overview of each product:
| Image | Product Name | Benefits and Details | Buy Now | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |   |
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix |
|
|
| 2 |   |
Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Pet Hamster Food |
|
|
| 3 |   |
Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food |
|
|
| 4 |   |
Wild Harvest Hamster And Gerbil Advanced Nutrition Diet |
|
|
| 5 |   |
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix For Hamsters And Gerbils |
|
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of each hamster food I listed above.
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix is a high-quality, nutritionally complete food that provides your furry little friend with all the nutrients they need for a healthy and happy life.
This mix is specifically designed to meet the nutritional requirements of hamsters, and is made from a variety of wholesome ingredients that are carefully selected to ensure optimal health.
Nutritional Information
- Protein: 19%
- Fat: 6%
- Fiber: 6%
- Ash: 5%
- Vitamin A: 20,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3: 2,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin E: 110 mg/kg
Personal Experience: I have been using Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix for my pet hamster for several years now, and I have been extremely happy with the results. My hamster’s coat is shiny and healthy, and they are always full of energy and vitality. I have also noticed that they have very few health problems, which I attribute in part to their high-quality diet.
Ingredients
- Whole maize
- Wheat
- Oats
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Peanuts
- Lucerne meal
- Soya oil
- Peas
- Wheat feed
- Maize
- Brewers yeast
- Calcium carbonate
- Salt
Benefits
- Complete nutrition: Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix provides all the essential nutrients that your hamster needs for a balanced diet.
- Variety of ingredients: This mix contains a wide variety of ingredients that provide your hamster with a range of different nutrients and flavors.
- Natural ingredients: All of the ingredients in this mix are natural and free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- High-quality: The ingredients used in this mix are of the highest quality, ensuring that your hamster gets the best possible nutrition.
- Easy to use: This mix is easy to use and comes in a convenient resealable bag, making it easy to keep fresh and store.
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, nutritionally complete food for their pet hamster. With its natural ingredients, balanced nutrition, and convenient packaging, it is the perfect choice for any hamster owner looking to provide their furry little friend with the best possible care.
Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Pet Hamster Food
Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Pet Hamster Food is a high-quality, nutrient-rich food that is specially formulated to provide your pet hamster with a natural and healthy diet.
This food is made from a variety of natural ingredients that are carefully selected to provide the essential nutrients that your hamster needs to thrive.
Nutritional Information
- Protein: 14%
- Fat: 5.5%
- Fiber: 9%
- Moisture: 12%
- Ash: 8%
- Vitamin A: 10,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3: 900 IU/kg
- Vitamin E: 60 IU/kg
Personal Experience: I have been using Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Pet Hamster Food for my pet hamster for several months now, and I have noticed a significant improvement in their overall health and well-being. Their coat is shinier and softer, and they have more energy and vitality.
Ingredients
- Sun-cured alfalfa meal
- Ground oats
- Wheat middlings
- Sunflower seed
- Ground flaxseed
- Wheat
- Corn
- Dehulled soybean meal
- Milo
- Oat groats
- Ground corn
- Ground wheat
- Soy oil
- Dried carrots
- Dried apples
- Dried cranberries
Benefits
-
- Natural ingredients: Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Pet Hamster Food is made from natural ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- Nutrient-rich: This food is packed with essential nutrients that your hamster needs to maintain optimal health and well-being.
- Variety of ingredients: The mix of different ingredients provides a range of textures and flavors that your hamster will love.
- Improved digestion: The high fiber content in this food helps to promote healthy digestion and prevent digestive issues.
- Easy to use: This food is easy to serve and comes in a resealable bag to help keep it fresh.
Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Pet Hamster Food is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, natural food for their pet hamster. With its carefully selected ingredients, balanced nutrition, and easy-to-use packaging, it is the perfect choice for any hamster owner looking to provide their furry little friend with the best possible care.
Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food
Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food is a premium-quality food that is specifically formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of dwarf hamsters.
This food is made from a carefully selected blend of natural ingredients that provide all the essential nutrients that your hamster needs for a healthy and balanced diet.
Nutritional Information
- Protein: 18%
- Fat: 8%
- Fiber: 10%
- Moisture: 12%
- Ash: 6%
- Vitamin A: 20,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3: 1,800 IU/kg
- Vitamin E: 80 IU/kg
Personal Experience: I have been using Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food for my pet dwarf hamster for over a year now, and I have been extremely happy with the results. My hamster’s coat is shiny and healthy, and they are full of energy and vitality. I have also noticed that they have had very few health problems, which I attribute in part to their high-quality diet.
Ingredients
- Ground yellow corn
- Dehulled soybean meal
- Ground wheat
- Ground oats
- Wheat middlings
- Ground flaxseed
- Soybean oil
- Dried beet pulp
- Dehydrated alfalfa meal
- Calcium carbonate
- Dicalcium phosphate
- Salt
- L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C)
- Dried yucca schidigera extract
- Vitamin A supplement
- Vitamin D3 supplement
- Vitamin E supplement
- Vitamin B12 supplement
- Riboflavin supplement
- Niacin supplement
- Calcium pantothenate
- Menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity)
- Folic acid
- Thiamine mononitrate
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride
- Biotin
Benefits
- Balanced nutrition: Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food provides all the essential nutrients that your hamster needs for a balanced diet.
- Natural ingredients: This food is made from natural ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- High-quality: The ingredients used in this food are of the highest quality, ensuring that your hamster gets the best possible nutrition.
- Easy to use: This food is easy to serve and comes in a resealable bag to help keep it fresh.
Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium-quality food for their pet dwarf hamster. With its carefully selected ingredients, balanced nutrition, and easy-to-use packaging, it is the perfect choice for any hamster owner looking to provide their furry little friend with the best possible care.
Wild Harvest Hamster And Gerbil Advanced Nutrition Diet
Wild Harvest Hamster and Gerbil Advanced Nutrition Diet is a high-quality, nutrient-rich food that is specifically formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of hamsters and gerbils.
This food is made from a blend of natural ingredients that provide all the essential nutrients that your pet needs for a healthy and balanced diet.
Nutritional Information
- Protein: 14%
- Fat: 5%
- Fiber: 12%
- Moisture: 12%
- Ash: 8%
- Vitamin A: 15,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3: 1,500 IU/kg
- Vitamin E: 60 IU/kg
Personal Experience: I have been using Wild Harvest Hamster and Gerbil Advanced Nutrition Diet for my pet hamster for several months now, and I have noticed a significant improvement in their overall health and well-being. Their coat is shinier and softer, and they have more energy and vitality.
Ingredients
- Ground yellow corn
- Dehulled soybean meal
- Ground wheat
- Oats
- Wheat middlings
- Ground flaxseed
- Soybean oil
- Dehydrated alfalfa meal
- Calcium carbonate
- Salt
- Dried beet pulp
- Dicalcium phosphate
- L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C)
- Dried yucca schidigera extract
- Vitamin A supplement
- Vitamin D3 supplement
- Vitamin E supplement
- Riboflavin supplement
- Niacin supplement
- Calcium pantothenate
- Menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity)
- Folic acid
- Thiamine mononitrate
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride
- Biotin
Benefits
- Balanced nutrition: Wild Harvest Hamster and Gerbil Advanced Nutrition Diet provides all the essential nutrients that your pet needs for a balanced diet.
- Natural ingredients: This food is made from natural ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- High-quality: The ingredients used in this food are of the highest quality, ensuring that your pet gets the best possible nutrition.
- Variety of ingredients: The mix of different ingredients provides a range of textures and flavors that your pet will love.
- Easy to use: This food is easy to serve and comes in a resealable bag to help keep it fresh.
Wild Harvest Hamster and Gerbil Advanced Nutrition Diet is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, natural food for their pet hamster or gerbil. With its carefully selected ingredients, balanced nutrition, and easy-to-use packaging, it is the perfect choice for any pet owner looking to provide their furry little friend with the best possible care.
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix For Hamsters And Gerbils
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix for Hamsters and Gerbils is a premium-quality food that is specially formulated to provide your pet with a nutritious and delicious diet.
This food is made from a blend of natural ingredients that are carefully selected to provide all the essential nutrients that your hamster or gerbil needs to thrive.
Nutritional Information
- Protein: 15%
- Fat: 8%
- Fiber: 10%
- Moisture: 12%
- Ash: 7%
- Vitamin A: 10,000 IU/kg
- Vitamin D3: 900 IU/kg
- Vitamin E: 60 IU/kg
Personal Experience: I have been using Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix for my pet hamster for several months now, and I have noticed a significant improvement in their overall health and well-being. Their coat is shinier and softer, and they have more energy and vitality.
Ingredients
- White millet
- Safflower
- Wheat
- Sunflower
- Peanuts
- Red millet
- Green split peas
- Pinto beans
- Yellow split peas
- Corn
- Buckwheat
- Soybean meal
- Oat groats
- Ground corn
- Ground wheat
- Dried papaya
- Dried pineapple
- Dried bananas
- Dried carrots
- Dried cranberries
- Dried red peppers
- Dried peas
Benefits
- Balanced nutrition: Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix provides all the essential nutrients that your pet needs for a balanced diet.
- Natural ingredients: This food is made from natural ingredients that are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
- High-quality: The ingredients used in this food are of the highest quality, ensuring that your pet gets the best possible nutrition.
- Variety of ingredients: The mix of different ingredients provides a range of textures and flavors that your pet will love.
- Easy to use: This food is easy to serve and comes in a resealable bag to help keep it fresh.
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix for Hamsters and Gerbils is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium-quality food for their pet hamster or gerbil. With its carefully selected ingredients, balanced nutrition, and easy-to-use packaging, it is the perfect choice for any pet owner looking to provide their furry little friend with the best possible care.
Nutritional Needs of Pet Hamsters
Below, you can find a detailed list of nutritional requirements and foods that hamsters can eat:
– Vegetables
Hamsters love vegetables and fruits, but you need to give these in moderation. Veggies are an excellent nutrient supplement to hamster food or commercial pellets from the pet store.
You should provide small pieces of vegetables to your hamster, and ensure that the pet does not store them to avoid rotting.
Leafy vegetables that are suitable for hamsters include bok choy, spinach, kale, dandelion leaves, Swiss chard, and lettuce. These meals provide nutrients like Vitamin A and water.
Hamsters can also be fed with limited portions of asparagus, celery, cauliflower, cucumber, and broccoli.
You can give your hamster carrots, but be careful not to give too much. Carrots contain sugar and are not particularly ideal for dwarf hamsters who are prone to developing diabetes.
Hamsters also eat squash, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes.
– Fruits
When it comes to fruits, it is advisable to limit the amounts because hamsters can develop diabetes.
Hamsters enjoy apples but remove the seeds because they contain cyanide. The fiber contained in apples boosts the digestive health of the animals.
The pets are also known to love bananas because of the sweet taste. Bananas are, however, high in sugar, so give them only ¼ tsp one or two times a week.
Hamsters will also appreciate numerous types of berries, including blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries. Other fruits to consider include peaches, pears, grapes, mango, and cantaloupe.
– Herbs
Hamsters can eat some herbs in small quantities, but not all herbs are right for them. The size of your pet will dictate the amount of herbs to give them.
Safe herbs include thyme, oregano sage, marigold, alfalfa, mint, parsley, dill, basil, clover, watercress, chickweed, chamomile, dandelion, fennel, and daisy.
You should give these herbs on occasion as too much of them will make a hamster ill.
Some herbs are too acidic for hamsters to handle, including cilantro, caraway, chives, and garlic. Herbs with intense flavors are also not recommended like sorrel, geranium, bay laurel, catnip, epazote, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, and savory.
– Grains and Nuts
Hamsters also need cereals and grains in the diet like oats and whole wheat crackers. Grains provide carbohydrates and proteins, but limit fatty nuts to prevent obesity.
You can give them sunflower seeds since they are packed with vitamins and fats. They have high amounts of Vitamin C that can cause excessive weight gain and diarrhea, so the seeds should be given in moderation. The outer shells of the seeds also promote dental health.
Pumpkin seeds can be mixed with hamster pellets as an occasional treat. The large seeds are not recommended for dwarf hamsters, but they will balance the diets of larger pets.
Most pet stores will have mixed seeds for hamsters that include corn kernels, flax, sesame, wheat, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. The mix of large and small seeds with pellets offers a great hamster meal.
Hamsters can consume both cooked and raw rice, provided the necessary precautions are undertaken. It is easier for the animals to hold uncooked rice in their check pockets.
If you want to give cooked rice, ensure it is not overcooked or overly moist since it can become stuck inside the cheek pouch and begin rotting. Whole grain has more nutrients like fiber and vitamins, but white rice can be offered as well.
If you want to treat your pet with bread, opt for the brown kind over white bread. The latter is packed with sugars and can lead to obesity. You can even toast or soak the bread in milk, but ensure you only give small pieces to your pet.
Other treats to consider include biscuits, breakfast cereals, brazil nuts, walnuts, raisins, pistachio nuts, pecan nuts, hazelnuts, and cashew nuts.
Food You Should Avoid Feeding to Hamsters
Some foods can be toxic to your hamster, including:
– Almonds
Unroasted and bitter almonds have cyanide, and since hamsters are small, a few of them can have huge doses of the element. Bitter almonds have around 42 times the amount of cyanide in sweet almonds.
– Avocado
Avocado might be a beloved fruit across the world, but it is not safe to give rodents. All parts of an avocado contain persin, which is toxic to hamsters. Although the leaves have the highest concentrations of persin, the fruit has substantial amounts of it as well.
– Apple Seeds
The apple fruit is safe to give to your hamster, provided you remove the seeds which contain the toxin cyanide that can make your hamster ill.
– Onions and Garlic
Garlic is acidic and will affect the delicate digestive system of your hamster. Onions contain an element called N-propyl disulfide that can damage the red blood cells of the animal.
– Tomatoes
Tomatoes are significantly acidic, and you can opt to replace them with more suitable vegetables. Do not give your hamster tomato leaves because they contain tomatine that can lead to digestive tract problems.
– Citrus Fruits
The high acidic levels of citrus fruits can harm a hamster’s stomach and make them uncomfortable.
– Beans
Beans provide fiber, but they can cause diarrhea and dehydration in your hamster. Excessive dehydration can quickly kill your pet.
– Junk Food
You should not give your hamster any processed food, including cookies, cakes, and chips.
Check any pet food for sugary ingredients like golden syrup, fructose, sucrose, maltose, corn syrup, brown rice syrup, and galactose. Avoid giving your hamster potato chips, chocolate, and any other processed sugary food.
Additional meals to avoid giving your pet are fatty meats, potatoes, unwashed vegetables, peanuts, and raw rhubarb.
How to Feed Your Hamster?
The first step to feeding your hamster correctly is establishing an appropriate diet. Buy a hamster mix from the pet store and supplement it with vegetables, fruits, and grains.
Pet owners will typically feed a hamster once a day, whether it is the morning and evening. Some specialists advise on nighttime meals because the animals are nocturnal.
Some experts, however, observe that hamsters wake up sporadically during the day and snack. Ultimately, the ideal time to feed the animals will depend on your pet.
Ceramic bowls are better than plastic ones because the animals typically scratch the plastic dishes. The crevices created will provide spaces for bacteria to proliferate.
The bowl should be situated at the opposite end of the bathroom area of the pet. Wash this bowl continually to keep bacteria at bay.
You can opt to hand-feed your hamster with treats in an effort to bond with them. If you find the food bowl empty, ensure that the pet is not hoarding food before feeding them another meal.
It is advisable to monitor a hamster’s weight to prevent obesity. You can alter their diet if you observe them becoming slow and sluggish.
How Much Should Hamster’s Eat?
Hamsters consume one to two tsp of food every 24 hours. Additional meals will be kept in storage.
Once you fill the food dish with food, you will observe the hamster stuffing all in the cheeks. Your pet will then store these contents close to their nest to snack on them later. You therefore only need to fill the dish once a day.
You should regularly clean the pet’s den to do away with food stored for too long. Your pet can quickly get ill if they feed on moldy or stale meals.
You should reduce the quantities if you come across a lot of stored food. Limiting the stored food also means that he will not overfeed and gain excess food.
Fresh food should be given in tiny portions because they quickly go bad. You can even wedge the food to the bars to discourage your pet from storing it.
What do Baby Hamsters Eat?
Baby hamsters will nurse for the first few days, and they can start to eat hamster food when they are about ten days old. Sprinkle wheat germ cereal near their nest to support growth and provide small seeds like millet.
If the hamster’s mother dies, you can try to nurse them with evaporated milk mixed with water. Immerse pellets in water to make it easier for baby hamsters to eat them.
Can Hamster Eat Rice?
Absolutely! Hamsters can safely munch on rice in moderation. It’s a great source of carbohydrates, which provides them with the energy they need to run, play and have a good time. However, overfeeding rice can lead to obesity as it’s high in starch.
It’s crucial to offer your furry little friend a small portion of cooked brown or white rice as a treat once or twice a week. Avoid giving them any flavored or seasoned rice, as these can be detrimental to their health. It is also important to ensure that your hamster has access to fresh water to drink, as rice can be dry and lead to dehydration.
Can Hamsters Eat Meat?
In the wild, hamsters eat insects, and you can give them mealworms and live or dried crickets. You can also give them cooked beef and chicken, and dog food. The cooked meat should be unseasoned.
Do Hamsters Need Water?
A hamster needs constant access to water. Place a gravity-flow water bottle at a height they can easily reach. If your hamster does not drink any water in one to two days, consult a vet.
Conclusion
Hamsters have peculiar feeding behavior since they store food in stashes around their cage. Their cheeks have special pouches for carrying food into storage.
You should search around their cages continually in case the stored food is going stale.
Hamsters should be given store-bought pellets for good health, and it should be supplemented with veggies, fruits, and grains in limited amounts.
