Hamsters are always running and doing funny activities, thus giving us an enjoyable time. The owners must know what food they should give to their pet hamsters as that is necessary for these small pets to stay in good health and live a long life.
Most novice owners of the hamsters are not very sure of the food and the right kind of diet. We can suggest a few options of food along with the way of feeding the hamsters so these pets stay absolutely perfect.
Best Pre-Bought Hamster Foods
There are a few commercial foods available for pet hamsters; we can suggest the best ones for your choice.
1. Vitakraft Menu Premium Hamster food
This food claims to procure its item from alfalfa hay which is a great source of fiber for the hamsters. Also, there is no element in this food that is toxic or allergic to pets. There are the right amount of vitamins and minerals in this food which will make the hamster healthy when given this meal. This food is a mix of grains, vegetables, fruits, and pellets so the pet will enjoy every bite of it.
The food contains those items that are easily available in the forest. Hamsters prefer to eat these items as they are well known for the taste of the items. This food is fortified and thus it can be given to hamsters of all ages. The food remains always fresh as the food is packaged in a re-sealable package. There is also DH omega 3 fatty acid to take care of the heart health and coat of the little creature.
Pros:
- Keeps the coat shiny
- Contains omega 3 fatty acid
- Builds immunity system
Cons:
- Some packets may contain mold
2. Kaytee Forti-Diet pro health pet hamster and gerbil food
This food does not contain any specific flavor but it comes with tasty pellets. The hamsters that do not like to eat any and every food would love this one. The taste of the food is alluring and thus your pet will have a nutritious meal when you will give this one. The pieces or the pellets are crunchy and the food fills the tummy of the pets easily. There are prebiotics as well as probiotics to keep the digestive system of the guinea pig healthy.
The food is naturally preserved and no synthetic preservative is used in it. Thus it will not cause any kind of toxicity to the pet. This is a nutritionally enriched diet that will be fulfilling for the pet hamster. This one can be fed to hamsters of every age.
Pros:
- Good for all life stage
- Contains no synthetic or artificial ingredient
- Contains prebiotic and probiotic
Cons:
- Can become toxic if expired
3. Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster tasty mix
This food comes in form of seeds and it provides our pets required nutrition. The taste of the food is tempting for the pets and almost all the owners claim that their pets have loved this food. There is no added sugar in this food but still, it is better in taste than some other regular branded food. There are vitamins added to this food that will take care of the immunity and overall health of your pet hamster. Fortified pellets complete the diet and thus, this food is suggested by many vets.
Hamsters of every type will be benefitted from this food. The food can be added to the cage of the hamsters and it will allow them to forage which is their natural habit. This food contains wheat, peas, soya bean, maize, and peanut along with pumpkin.
The addition of calcium carbonate along with these nutrients makes it a wholesome food for your pets. It contains a good amount of crude fiber along with protein, calcium, and phosphorus. There are a set of macronutrients but it does not mean that all the hamsters would love it. The ones who are non-fussy about their food would love to have it.
Pros:
- Fortified food
- Contains macronutrient
- Contains minerals
Cons:
- Not always available online
4. Sunseed Vita prima complete nutrition hamster and gerbil food
This food is also suitable for hamsters of all life stages. Thus you can get it for the little ones as well as the mature hamsters. This is yet another fortified pet food that comes with vitamins like A, d and E. These vitamins will keep the hamster fit and immune to many diseases.
The food does not contain any synthetic color or preservative and thus, this is one of the best foods available for pet hamsters. The variety of food usually allows the pet hamster to forage more and more. This is a nutrient-rich food that keeps the pet hamsters healthy and long living.
The food is quite crunchy and that is why this food is loved by most pet hamsters. This is made from nutrient-rich natural sources and thus it will keep the pet away from various kinds of disease and allergies. There are fruit, vegetable, and wholesome grains added to this food which is all counted as a healthy substance for the hamsters.
Pros:
- Contains natural sources
- No artificial flavor
- No preservative
- Contains multiple vitamins
Cons:
- No animal protein
5. Oxbow Essentials Hamster Food and Gerbil food
This food is made from all-natural sources. This is one of the most balanced foods as it contains fat, protein, and carbohydrate along with vitamins and minerals. Thus it will be able to keep your hamster healthy throughout its lifetime.
There are antioxidants as well as prebiotics to keep the digestive system and immune system in great condition. This brand of food is also often recommended by veterinarians. Even the formula of this food is created by veterinarians and nutritionists so the pets get the maximum benefit from this food.
This food is good for hamsters of all ages; they can be young, senior, or even pregnant. The pellets will not cause them any digestive issues or even diarrhea so the pets would be rather healthy when you will give them this one.
However, the amount of food should be provided to the hamsters as per the direction of the vets only, as the amount differs with the age, health, and size of the hamster. This food is available in uniform kibble shapes so the pet does not get to select the kibbles or eat fussily.
Pros:
- Provides balanced nutrition
- Contains prebiotic
- Good for all ages
Cons:
- Not always available online
FAQs
What food can hamsters eat?
There are several kinds of foods that are suitable for hamsters. To begin with, hamsters can eat commercial pellets which are always available in pet shops and commercial pet stores. Commercial pellets contain a good amount of fiber and minerals along with minerals. So this is one of the most nutrient-rich foods which provide the right kind of nutrition to the pet.
Apart from these commercial foods, you can also give fresh vegetables and fruit to a limited amount of hamsters. The herbs are also interesting for the hamsters. Usually, hamsters are given a lower amount of fruit and vegetables as too much of these items can make them sick when given in an abundant amount.
But it has been seen that the taste of the fruits and vegetables is quite liked by the hamsters. Naturally sweet fruits, as well as crunchy fresh vegetables, are necessary for the hamsters to keep them interested in food. Giving those pellets continuously makes them feel sick and they lose interest in food.
Timothy hay is a food that keeps them engaged for a long time. This is probably the only food that will not make the creature obese. They can have timothy hay if that is fresh and free from pesticides in a good amount. The fiber present in timothy hay is good for the digestive system.
Can you give a treat to your hamster?
Yes, treats are always included in the training schedule of the pet. So you can obviously give treats to the pet hamster when you bring it home, to get it rid of its shyness and make it comfortable in the new atmosphere.
The treats do not necessarily be from stores. You can give foods like boiled egg pieces, nuts, and mealworms as treats to your pet. Treats are not meant for everyday eating, and thus, you should maintain the number of treats restricted.
Can hamsters eat bananas?
Bananas can be given to the hamsters as this fruit is soft and tasty for them. They will not suffer from any illness if they are given this fruit in a small amount. This fruit should not be given in ample amounts as there can be other risks.
As bananas do not cause them any harm, still they should not eat this fruit solely for their diet. They are very small in size and a single fruit should not consist of their whole meal. They should be given types of foods and pellets for their meal. Also too much banana can cause diarrhea in them.
What can hamsters not eat?
There are a few items that should never be included in the diet of the hamster. The first one on the list is apple seed, when you give an apple to your pet hamster make sure that it is deseeded. Otherwise, the hamster may get choked by the seeds. Also, the seeds have toxic effects on the system of the hamster and thus they should be avoided.
Raw beans are also not good for hamsters, they may cause diarrhea in them. The same can be told about raw potatoes. If you wish to give your hamster these fruits then provide them with boiled potato or beans.
Almonds are not for the hamsters, they will not be easily digested by them. You can provide them with other nuts though, but give them the nuts in moderation as this can be a treat for them, not a part of their meal.
Garlic and onions, in raw or in the cooked form are not suitable for the hamsters. These are toxic for hamsters. Rhubarb leaves are not good for hamsters too. So you should never give these items to your pet hamster.
Can hamsters eat cheese or other dairy products?
Cheese is a favorite food of many hamsters, but as it contains sodium and fat in high amounts, it is not suitable for the hamsters. You can give them a small piece now and then but cheese should not be included in their regular diet.
However, then also the hamsters are not always able to digest cheese.
Give them a small amount of cheese and then see if they can digest it. If the pet can digest that easily, then you can occasionally give it some amount of cheese. A small ball like pea-sized cheese should be given to the pet hamster in one go.
Can you give cucumber to the hamster?
The cucumber is often cherished by the hamsters. So yes, you can give them unpeeled cucumber slices for enjoying. They would not be able to eat more than a slice or two at a time though. The fresh and crunchy cucumber is a good source of water and fiber thus it will definitely help the pet hamster to stay well hydrated and have a healthy digestive system.
What is a hamster’s favorite treat?
The foods that the hamsters get to eat in the wilderness are the best treats for them when they are domesticated. Thus you can provide them with fresh vegetables, thoroughly rinsed, and cut into small pieces. You can provide them with vegetables like carrots, squash, broccoli, cucumber, lettuce spinach, and cauliflower. These are all the different kinds of vegetables which they would love to eat along with their main meal.
Can you give yogurt to your pet hamster?
As we have mentioned that you can give dairy products like cheese in moderation to your pet hamster, so is true about the yogurt. The hamsters will not refuse any dairy products like milk or yogurt. So providing a spoon of yogurt once in a while to the pet hamster is a good idea.
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