In the wild, hamsters are omnivorous, which means that they eat both plants and animals.
Their diet consists of a variety of seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, and insects.
In captivity, it is important to provide your hamster with a diet that is similar to what they would eat in the wild, while also taking into account their unique nutritional needs.
A good diet for a hamster should include a mix of fresh vegetables, a small amount of grains, and a limited amount of a high-quality pellet food that is specifically formulated for hamsters.
Some good vegetables to feed a hamster include lettuce, spinach, and carrots. Grains such as oats and barley can also be included in their diet in small amounts.
It is important to monitor your hamster’s health and adjust their diet as needed in consultation with a veterinarian.
In addition to a well-balanced diet, it is important to provide your hamster with plenty of fresh water and a source of chewable materials, such as untreated wood or chew toys, to help keep their teeth trimmed and healthy.
Related: Best Diet Pellets for Hamster
List of Hamsters Natural Diet
Here is a list of Hamster’s natural diet:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: Hamsters can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, and leafy greens. Apples can be fed in small pieces and seeds removed, Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can be fed in small amounts. Carrots should be grated or cut into small pieces, cucumbers can be fed in small slices, and leafy greens can be fed in small amounts, such as spinach, lettuce, and kale. It’s important to wash and chop them up into small pieces to prevent choking.
- Grains and seeds: Hamsters can eat small amounts of whole grains and seeds, such as oats, barley, quinoa, and millet. These should be fed in small amounts and can be sprouted to increase their nutritional value. They also enjoy sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds. These seeds should be fed in small amounts and unsalted.
- Protein sources: Hamsters can eat small amounts of lean protein sources, such as boiled eggs, cooked chicken or turkey, and cooked fish. These should be fed in small amounts and as occasional treats. They also enjoy mealworms, crickets and other insects. These can be fed as occasional treats and should be gut-loaded and dusted with calcium powder before feeding.
- Forage: Hamsters are natural foragers and enjoy a variety of forage items like hay, dried grasses, and leafy greens. Hay should be provided at all times and can include timothy hay, brome hay, or orchard grass. Dried grasses can include barley grass, oat grass, and wheat grass. Leafy greens can include clover, dandelion greens, and plantain.
- Limited treats: Hamsters can have occasional treats, like unsalted nuts and dried fruits, but they should be given in small amounts to avoid overfeeding. Nuts can include almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Dried fruits can include raisins, cranberries, and apricots. These treats should be fed in small amounts and as occasional treats.
It’s important to note that fresh food should be provided daily and any uneaten fresh food should be removed to avoid spoilage.
Also, it’s important to monitor their food intake and weight to ensure they are not overeating and to avoid obesity.
As always, it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations for your individual pet.
I am Emilie and I am an animal nutritionist. I have made this blog to share my knowledge with different pet owners who face issues while choosing the diet for hamsters. In this blog, I have covered different foods for the hamster that you can feed them. In addition, I have also covered the important diet plans for your pet.