Hamsters do not eat much relative to us or other pets. In fact, many owners have the tendency to overfeed their pets. Fortunately for us, hamsters will usually only eat as much as they need. 

So, what do hamsters eat?  
Hamsters are omnivores but lean more to a vegetarian diet. They do very well on a complete compound food of a variety of seeds and other vegetable matter. Fresh food is also appreciated. 

 List of items hamsters will eat 

Water 

Vitamins and others 

Favorite foods by species  

Storage 

Sweet tooth?
Some items hamsters (all species) will readily take are: 

a) Rice   

b) Yogurt   

c) Any green vegetable - especially leafy ones (e.g. spinach, xiao pai chai, chinese celery and other local vegetables.)   

d) cooked chicken/fish   

e) any sort of fruits, except sour ones like oranges (apple, grape, banana...anything to this effect - mine take durian sometimes!)   

f) carrots (although some owners claim this discolors white hamsters)   

g) alfalfa (this may become more of a bedding than a food source for some hasmters)   

h) Toasted bread   

i) dog biscuits  

Don't forget the compound food - a mixture of nuts and seeds!
Cookie here is stuffing her cheeks with goodies!
Twinkie here enjoying his treat of yogurt
 
 
Favorite Food
of some hamsters (sent in by owners). Please keep in mind that these are foods that fed by owners and not vets. Although our hammies are Ok after such feastings, yours may not...
Campbells
Winter whites
Syrians
Roborovskis
  • carrots
  • cabbage
  • corn
  • brocolli
  • Turnips
  • sweetcorn
  • Chinese cabbage
  • Cai Xin
  • garlic
  • caixin leaf
  • rice
  • corn
  • broccoli
  • Bean Sprouts
  • Cai Xin
  • Carrot
  • Boiled Potato
  • Long Beans
  • long beans
  • sweetcorn
  • Chinese cabbage
  • Pear
  • Honeydew
  • Apple
  • Banana
  • durian
  • apples
  • raisins
  • red dates
  • banana
  • hamster wafers
  • small, unidentifable seeds (??)
  • winter melon seeds
  • brazil nuts
  • peanuts
  • Green Melon seeds
  • pumpkin seeds
  • Birdseed
  • quaker oats
  • sandwich bread
  • hotdog bread
  • raisin 
  • bread,etc 
  • wholemeal biscuits
  • quaker's Oatmeal Squares 
  • Toasted oats
  • Honey Nut Bar Treat from Vitakraft
  • honeystars cereal
  • yoghurt drops
  • ham
  • turkey


Actually hamsters aren't picky eaters and will eat almost anything. Just be careful not to give cooked food which is too oily. Some owners don't like the idea of feeding their hamsters meat. Actually, hamsters in the wild will eat insects and other invertebrates they come across. Some people recommend meal worms. You may be able to purchase these at a pet store.

If you're squeamish or uncomfortable with feeding them live prey or any meat source, you can give them the standard vegetable diet, making sure to include some form of protein at least occasionally.

Try to limit your hammy's fresh food. It's alright to give a fair amount but don't heap it on. Hamsters don't really have as sensitive a stomach as some other pets but will get diarrhea if they have not been eating right.


Water:
 
Water should be provided at all times. However, your hamster may not actually take water every day. Please don't give your hammy milk, orange juice or the like. These may cause stomach upsets or become bad if left in the water bottle for too long. Plain water will do just fine. Some people do give their hamsters milk, especially to nursing mothers and young. However, we have to keep in mind that many mammals usually produce less of the enzyme needed to digest milk as they age and become weaned. My hamsters seldom drink more than 25cc of water a day. However, you must provide more if you are unable to change their water supply daily (which is recommended to prevent growth of bacteria and other harmful microbes) and during times when you leave for a short holiday. You may also have to keep in mind the weather conditions. Is it very hot?

Other items:

This hamster is attacking his treat - or maybe trying to use it as an escape path? "Aahhh, I'm stuck - there goes my escape plans!"
 


Treat items are not necessary but can prove useful if you are to be away for a few days. They are also supposed to taste great to the hamster but my hamsters will just as soon go for their usual hamster food (this is relative).

Dog biscuits help promote tooth wear and you might want to try these. However, you might want to get a piece from a dog owner first and see whether your hamster likes it. Some owners complain that their hamsters ignore the biscuit completely and that the biscuits were a mistake.

There are also vitamins for small mammals which you can purchase but these are unecessary if you feed your hamster an adequate variety of food. You can perhaps try these if your hamster is sick and isn't eating all his food - but do consult your vet!
   


Storage:

It'll prove useful to buy an airtight container which you can use to store the hamster's store-bought food after you've taken it from the bag or box. The compound food needs to kept dry and free from any growth of fungi or other microbes. Try to buy just enough for your hamster for maybe a month or so - this should be about the size of the packet anyway. Some owners also take to storing their pet food in the fridge.


Sweet Tooth?

No, hamsters do not generally have a greater liking for sweet stuff. Sticky substances like chocolate can actually get stuck in their cheek pouches - this is dangerous! In such a case, you have to bring your hamster to the vet to get the substances removed. Your hamster will do great on his normal hamster food. Food containing too much sugar can upset anyone's diet.

Main / Top of Page  /  send comments  /  sign guestbook