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What Do Hamsters Eat?

A Hamster is one of the best low-maintenance pets for you and your kids. If you want to keep your hamster happy, healthy and fit, you just need to take proper care of its diet, just like you do with every other pet. The pet owners should be aware of the fact that only feeding your hamster with the artificially produced and commercially available seed diet could lead to nutrient deficiency, which wouldn’t be an ideal scenario.

So, what do hamsters eat? And how to feed them properly? To answer all these questions we have put together this guide. Here are we going to tell you about foods that you can (and cannot feed) to your hamsters to make sure they are fit, active, and healthy?

Ideal Diet for a Hamster

You need to consult your veterinarian, who would possibly tell you about the best way to take care of the caloric needs of your hamster, depending on its size and health.  to determine your hamster’s caloric needs based on their size and health.

When it comes to an ideal and completely balanced diet for hamsters, then pelleted hamster foods can be a good choice. Pelleted diets are usually available in many different types. 

They can come in the form of tiny biscuits, cookies, or cereal. Owing to its monotonous taste and nature, some hamsters may refuse to eat it, which is why it is important for you to get it mixed with other food items every now and then to add some variety to the meals of your little furry friends and make sure they love eating everything you serve them. 

What to Feed Your Hamster

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There may be a lot of things in your pantry that may be suitable for your tiny friends. It would be a great way to change the menu for them tonight and add a little something extra to it by choosing from the below-mentioned foods. To boost their immune system and growth here’s what you can feed your hamster:

Vegetables

Yes, you can treat your hamster with different types of vegetables. For example, fresh, organically grown green and leafy vegetables are the best. Other options include carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber, Romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, spinach, artichokes, and other green veggies. Make sure to keep the meals of hamsters as hygienic as possible. It is always a good idea to properly wash the vegetables and rinse their leaves and surfaces thoroughly to get rid of the traces of harmful pesticides.

Grains 

Grains are usually a part of the primary diet of hamsters because they are the best source of carbohydrates, protein, and other essential nutrients. According to the veterinary experts, a tablespoonful of grains daily would be enough for hamsters. There should only be a small proportion of fatty nuts and seeds in the grain mixture for hamsters. When you’re feeding your hamster the loose seed or grain mix, make sure that it has eaten up all and emptied the food bowl and if are still hungry, then add more. Just don’t overfeed your hamster.

Fruits

There are many different types of fruits that hamsters just can’t resist. And, it is also safe to make these fruits a part of their diet. Hamsters love to have strawberries, apples (without seeds), pears, cantaloupe, and bananas. However, these fruits should be given as an alternative or supplement to the regular diet, not on a daily basis. Also, make sure to get rid of any fruits and vegetables that have been left uneaten by your hamster within 24 hours, so they won’t stale and spread contaminants.

What Not to Feed Your Hamster

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It is important to mention here that hamsters are vulnerable to diabetes, so make sure you’re not treating them with foods that are high in sugar altogether. 

  • Don’t serve your little furry friends with iceberg lettuce and other similar veggies. Avoid treating them with fruits that are high in water content, such as watermelon because they may upset their digestive system, resulting in diarrhea.
  • Also, make sure you are not overfeeding your hamsters with fatty nuts, which include peanuts and sunflower seeds because they’ll cause obesity, negatively affecting their health.
  • Foods that you avoid giving your hamsters, in particular, are raw potatoes, Almonds, Citrus fruit, Garlic, Onions, Rhubarb leaves or raw rhubarb, Chocolate, any foods containing sugar or salt in excess, any deep-fried items or junk food, apple seeds and raw beans.

Well, that’s a wrap of our guide on the most feasible diet for your beloved pet. We have tried our best to answer your “what do hamsters eat” query. If you found this article informative, please share it with your friends and family, especially if they have furry friends at home to take care of.

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Written by Spencer K