What Can Hamsters Eat?
We have received several questions on what to feed your hamster, so if these are your questions; Read on for a complete guide:
- What fruit can hamsters eat?
- Can hamsters eat bread?
- Can hamsters eat blueberries?
- What foods can hamsters eat?
- Can hamsters eat cheese?
- Can hamsters eat lettuce
- What can hamsters eat?
- Can hamsters eat apples
- Can hamsters eat grapes?
- Give us a hamster food list?
- Can hamsters eat carrots?
Hamster NUTRITION Percentages
- 6 months and Below: Protein: 19-20%, fat: 7-8%, fiber: 8-10%
- 6-18 months: Protein: 17-18%, fat: 6-7%, fiber: 10-12%
- 18 months and above: Protein: 15%, fat: 6-7%, fiber: 12-15%
4 Categories Of Foods You Should Give Your Hamster
1. Commercial Pellets and a supplement (mix a and b below (50-50 ratio) 1 tablespoon of each)
a) Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Hamster & Gerbil Food
Most, if not all, hamster owners and experts will recommend Higgins sunburst gourmet blend hamster & gerbil food as the first and best option.
- Protein: 15.0%
- Fat:7.0%,
- Fiber: 9.5%
Where Do You Get This?
US: Higgins Sunburst – Hamster/Gerbil, 2.5 lb
US: Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Gerbil & Hamster Food
US: Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix for Hamsters and Gerbils
UK: Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix For Hamsters And Gerbils
If you cannot access Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Hamster & Gerbil Food, an alternative is:
Higgins Vita Garden Hamster & Gerbil Small Animal Food
- Crude protein min. – 15.0%
- Crude fat min. – 6.5%
- Crude fiber max. – 11.0%
Where Can You Get This?
US: Higgins Vita Garden – Hamster/Gerbil, 2.5 lb
US: Higgins Vita Garden Hamster & Gerbil Small Animal Food, 2.5 Lb
US: Higgins Vita Garden Hamster & Gerbil Food, 2.5 Lbs, Large
UK: Higgins Vita Garden Hamster & Gerbil Food, 2.5 Lbs, Large
b). Mazuri rat and mouse Diet
- Crude Protein (min) 23.0%
- Crude Fat (min) 6.0%
- Crude Fiber (max) 4.5%
Where Do I Get This?
US #1. Mazuri Rat & Mouse Food, 2 lbs.
UK #2. Mazuri Rat and Mouse Nutrional Complete Vegetarian Formulation Pet Food 2lbs
US: Mazuri Rat & Mouse Food, 2 lbs.
US: Mazuri Rat & Mouse Diet 2 lbs | For All Life Stages | Nutrional Pet Rodent Food
c. Once or twice a week, supplement the mixture above with Natural Debittered Brewers Yeast (just a little that fills the tip of the spoon, sprinkle on the above) too much can be harmful!!!
Everland Natural Debittered Brewers Yeast, 400gm
Where Do You Get This?
NOW Brewer’s Yeast Debittered, 1-Pound
Where Do You Get This?
2. Occasional Vegetables and Fruits (Once or Twice a week!!)
Safe fruits for your hamster include: seedless apples, melon, mangoes, strawberries, seedless grapes, cherries, cantaloupe, blueberries, blackberries, banana, lychee, raspberries and their leaves
Safe vegetables for your hamster include: cucumber, kale, squash, celery, romaine lettuce, parsnips, clover, carrots, broccoli, corn on the cob, cauliflower, radicchio, sweet bell peppers, turnip. Zucchini, water cress, endive, chicory, chestnuts, asparagus, chickweed, dandelion leaves, spinach
3. Occasional Treats
Cheerios, sunflower seeds, scrambled or boiled eggs, crickets, grasshoppers and mealworms, unsalted pumpkin seeds, alfalfa, unsalted nuts (do not give almonds) and dog treats that do not have onion or garlic…recommended examples of these dog treats are:
Milk-bone original dog treats
Where Do You Get This?
US #1. Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats for Large Dogs, 10-Pound
UK #2. Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats, Cleans Teeth, Freshens Breath for Large Dogs, 10 Lb. Box
CANADA #3. Milk-Bone Original Large Dog Biscuits 2kg
Nutro Crunchy Dog Treats
Yoghurt drop (Vitakraft Hamster Drops, eCOTRITION Yogies for Hamsters)
Where Do You Get This?
US #1. Vitakraft Hamster Drops with Yogurt Treat, 5.3 Ounce Pouch
Uk #2. Vitakraft Hamster Drops With Yogurt Treat, 5.3 Ounce Pouch
4. Fresh water
Should be available throughout!! In a water bottle. Suitable water bottles recommended by most hamster owners, which have the least or no issues at all, are:
Living World Eco + Water Bottle
Where Do You Get This?
US #1. Living World Eco + Water Bottle, 6-Ounce
UK: Living World Eco Plus Water Bottle, 177 ml
CANADA Living World Eco Plus Water Bottle, 12-Ounce
There is an important read about pet water bottles here that can be very beneficial, especially if you are encountering some problems.
Choco Nose H128 Patented No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle
Where Do You Get This?
In the US, you can get it at Choco Nose H128 Patented No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle. Best Water Bottle for Small Pet/Bunny/ Ferret/Hamster/ Critter. BPA Free. 11.2 Oz. Nozzle Diameter: 10mm (Blue)
WHAT NOT TO FEED YOUR HAMSTER!!!!!
DO NOT FEED
Apple seeds, almonds, chocolate, citrus fruits, watermelon, onions, garlic, chives, scallions, avocado, tomato leaves, raw rhubarb, eggplant, pork products, junk food, canned food, raw potatoes, cherry stone, apricot stone, spices, pickles.
How Often Should I Feed My Hamster?
A hamster is nocturnal, therefore, feeding time is in the evening.
Before feeding, check the “hoarder’s store” (where your hamster hides food) first so that you limit addition. You do not want the food in the store going bad or your hamster becoming obese.
Fresh food such as fruits and vegetables can go bad fast. Try and wedge this in the cage so that the hamster is unable to carry it back to the store. It may contaminate the rest of the food and make your hamster sick. Alternatively, you can give it in small quantities like once or twice a week.
Hamster Eating Schedule
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Examples of Good Hamster Food Bowls
1. Marshall Snap ‘N Fit Small Animal Food Bowl 2 cups
2. Living World Ergonomic Dish
Where Do You Get This?
US #1. Living World Ergonomic Dish, Terracotta, Small
UK #3. RC Hagen 61685 Living World Ergonomic Dish, Pink Large
UK #4. Living World Ergonomic Dish, Blue, Small
UK #5. Living World Ergonomic Dish, Pink, Small by Living World
UK #6. RC Hagen 61685 Living World Ergonomic Dish, Pink Large
3. Petzilla Cat Ceramic Bowl for Food, Heavy Base Feeding Dish, Prevent Tipping or Spill Over
4. Kaytee Paw-Print PetWare Bowl, Colors Vary
none left of the Higgins or rat and mouse diet in the uk, where else can I get it from?
added a few links to petco and chewy, they have Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Hamster & Gerbil Food in stock