Hamsters are creatures that will eat just about they can get their tiny little paws on, which means it is important you are responsible about you what you feed your little friend!
The basic diet of all hamsters is simple to take care of; fresh water should always be provided in a small, drip-feed bottle along with a small bowl of hamster which is available in all good pet stores and supermarkets.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation from your local vet or pet shop owner if you’re unsure on which pre-packaged food is going to be best. It may be the case that your hamster has always eaten the same food since it was little and it has a preference!
Store bought hamster food is finely balanced and will contain all the recommended vitamins, minerals and proteins which should be in your hamster’s diet.
In terms of the amount of food hamsters actually only need a small amount of food to survive, expert’s recommend only around 1-2 tablespoons of hamster food per day. With hamsters being nocturnal animals this should also be given to them towards the end of the day to best mimic their natural feeding habits.
In the same way that it is best to provide interactive toys and environments for your hamster to keep them entertained, it is also important that you regularly mix up your hamster’s diet with small, fresh treats to keep them healthy and happy!
Most fresh fruits and vegetables are okay for hamsters to eat, with a few exceptions. As a rule of thumb any citrus fruits are strictly off limits. The high acidity of these foods has a tendency to upset little hamster’s stomach and cause diarrhea.
A short (but not exhaustive lists of foods which should be avoided for hamsters can be found below):
- Almonds
- Oranges
- Lemon
- Onions
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Chocolate and candy
- Tomato leaves
If you’re ever unsure of what you’re about to feed your hamster then safety is always the best! Consult with your local vet, or check whether your treat is listed on CanHamstersEat.com.
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