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Pet care tips and advice for your furry (or scaly) friends • Ethical pet care tips and product recommendations •

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HAMSTER FOOD & DIET

Hamsters are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter. In the wild, their diet consists of seeds, grains, grasses, and even the occasional insect.

A complete guide to caring for your hamster through proper nutrition and mindful feeding habits.

Hamster Seed Mix

The bulk of a hamsters diet should be given to them in the form of a mix. A "seed" mix is most commonly used compared to pellets due to the ability to get a large variety of different nutritional foods in one portion. The mix itself contains lots more than just seeds though, with good ones containing freeze dried meats like chicken and fruit/vegetables too!

 

A Hamsters food mix must meet the following requirements:

15-20% Protein

5-10% Fats

8-12% Fibre

 

Many pet store hamster foods do not offer the variety of approximately 25 different ingredients they require which is why finding an appropriate hamster food is important yet quite tricky!

Adorable Brown Hamster

A good way to encourage foraging is to scatter feed a hamsters seed mix into their enclosure instead of just bowl feeding!

FEEDING SCHEDULE

Feeding schedules are often debated but you should aim for approx 1 tablespoon of seed mix everyday or 1-2 tablespoons every 2ish days.

Every hamster is different so finding out what schedule works for them is very important!

 

Fresh vegetables can also be given 2-3 times a week for added nutrition.

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Fresh fruit can be given too but on a less frequent bases (1-2 times a week) due to the high sugar content.

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Fresh water must be available at all times. .

MY RECOMMENDED FOOD

Hammykins Hamster food mix

Hamster food mix with seeds, grains, and mealworms.

FRUIT

  • Apple (no seeds)

  • Banana (small portions)

  • Blueberry (smal amounts)

  • grapes (seedless)

  • Kiwi (no peel)

  • Mango (pit removed)

  • pear (pit removed)

  • pinapple (no core/skin)

  • Strawberry (no leaves)

  • watermelon (seedless)

SAFE AND UNSAFE FOODS FOR HAMSTERS

There are many 'human' foods that hamsters can enjoy too. Here is a list of the safe ones you can give to your hamster. Remember to give these foods in moderation to avoid upset stomachs. If youre ever unsure about your hamster, contact a vet.

VEGETABLES

  • Carrots

  • Broccoli

  • Caulifiower

  • Peas

  • Cabbage

  • Corn

  • cucumber

  • kale

  • lettuce (not (Iceburg)

  • Bellpeppers

  • Sprouts

  • Celery

  • green beans

  • mushroom

  • spinach

  • tomato (no leaves/Stems)

UNSAFE FOODS

  • Chocolate

  • apple seeds/pits

  • Citrus fruits

  • Onions

  • Avocado

  • Garlic

  • Chili peppers

  • Chives

  • Leek

  • Deli meat

  • Raw kidney beans

  • Rhubarb

  • Iceberg Lettuce

  • Raw Potatoes

  • Bitter almonds

  • Alcohol

  • Caffine

  • Sugary foods (e.g sweets)

-SAFE-

SEEDS,GRAINS & NUTS

  • Barley

  • Buckwheat

  • Millet

  • oats

  • Quinoa

  • wheat

  • Almonds (sweet only)

  • Cashews

  • Chia seeds

  • corn kernels

  • flax seeds

  • Peanuts (unsalted/unflavoured)

  • Pecans

  • sesame seeds

  • WALNUTS (unsalted)

  • SUNFLOWER seeds (unsalted)

  • Brown rice

PROTEIN

  • dry mealworms

  • Dry crickets

  • fresh plain chicken

  • boiled egg

  • plain turkey

BEANS & PULSES

  • Black Beans

  • Lentils

  • Peas

  • Pinto beans

  • soy beans

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