What foods do hamsters eat?
We have all the information you need about hamster food. It might seem complicated because hamsters are omnivores and need a mixture of food types to keep them healthy, so just follow our easy guide.
Here are the food types you need to think about offering your hamster:
- Fresh water: essential for life
- Concentrate (nuggets or mix): needed for nutritional balance
- Fresh, green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, chard, sweet corn, kale, cress, courgette
Fruit: berries (black berries and raspberries) and stone fruits (plums, peaches). - Snacks or treats: cooked eggs, cottage cheese, unsalted low-fat meat, seeds, nuts, low sugar breakfast cereal
Fresh water – must always be available. It can be provided in a bottle or a bowl. Make sure to check the sipper of the water bottle at least daily as they can become clogged. Water bowls should be heavy so they are not knocked over.
Concentrate – hamster food concentrates provide the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that may be absent or present in variable amounts in other foods.
Wholegrain’s provided in a hamster food are recommended to wear down their constantly growing teeth and to keep their gut healthy. Nuggets or kibbles provide all the nutrients needed in each mouthful.
A mix (which can contain cereals and vegetables that might be dried whole or flaked) provides the nutrients that are needed overall in each of the components. It is important when feeding a mix to ensure the bowl is cleared before it is topped up, so that each meal provides all the nutrients your hamster needs. A high-quality concentrate or mix will contain natural ingredients that hamsters like to eat, without the addition of sugary syrups which can result in digestive upset or dental disease.
Leafy, green veg – a small handful of leafy green vegetables provides a welcome addition to a hamster’s diet daily Find a list of safe veggies for small pets here.
Hamster treats – hand feeding a treat or snack is an important part of bonding with your hamster. Treats like our Selective Naturals Harvest Loops are healthy and contain no added sugars. Choose the varieties suitable for herbivores to feed to your hamster.
