Can You Feed Dwarf Hamsters Wild Bird Food?

While hamsters can eat birdseed, it should not be their main diet. Unlike wild birds that can forage and feed where they choose, caged hamsters depend entirely on the foods they are provided. Wild birdseed does contain some of the same seeds that are found in commercially prepared hamster diets. However, wild birdseed does not meet the nutritional needs of captive hamsters.

  1. Nutritional Requirements

    • Captive hamsters require commercially prepared hamster and gerbil food, vegetables and clean water. Not all hamster foods are the same, and quality foods are more nutritious than non-quality foods. Pelleted foods are preferred because they are nutritionally complete and create less waste from seed shelling. Fresh vegetables, such as cauliflower, celery, broccoli and carrots are excellent sources for vitamins, and clean water should be provided at all times.

    Hamster Food and Bird Seed Differences

    • Upon first glance, birdseed does contain seeds that are safe for hamsters to eat, such as sunflower, safflower and oats. However, wild bird food is not vitamin fortified and does not contain the ingredients veterinarians agree provide hamsters with the type of nutrients they require, such as calcium, flax seed and bananas. Another reason birdseed is not good for hamsters is that it can contain high amounts of fat, especially oiled sunflower seed, or has been treated with spices, such as hot pepper, which does not harm birds but prevents rodents like squirrels from eating from wild bird feeders.

    Nutritional Facts

    • When hamsters do not get all of the nutrients they require to maintain body functions, they become nutritionally deficient. Overweight hamsters are susceptible to health problems if they are fed a diet that does not meet their nutritional needs. Foods that are high in fat, sugar and oils may be tasty, but they do not offer usable nutrition (to humans or hamsters). While hamsters do practice coprophagy to obtain nutrients that have yet to be completely broken down, clean water and quality food are still necessary for domesticated hamsters to thrive.

    Considerations

    • Commercially prepared treats such as fruit flavored yogurt bites and low sugar, low fat human food can offer variety to a domestic hamster's diet. Timothy hay, which is also a source of nutrients, should be provided in small amounts three times a week. Habitat toys such as wooden balls filled with edible goodies incorporated into the hamster's playtime stimulates natural foraging instincts and rewards that behavior with a nutritious treat. If there is a particular seed that a hamster likes, clean, untreated seed from most pet food supply stores are safe treats and rewards.