Food Suggestions for Hamsters

Hamsters have a large appetite and love to eat. Not only do they enjoy mealtimes, but they also hoard their food, so don't be surprised if you see them stuff their faces then spit out some of it to save for later. Aside from packaged food found in the hamster section of your local pet store, they also require fresh foods to give them a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

  1. Packaged Food

    • The majority of the food your hamster will eat is going to be the packaged food found at your local pet store. This food will contain a combination of dry foods in the mixture such as seeds, grains, cracked corn and pellets. Give this food to your hamster daily with plenty of fresh water and inspect the cage regularly to remove any seeds or grains that have been sitting out. Hamsters can also eat small pieces of dry cat treats or dog biscuits as a treat.

    Fresh Food

    • Hamsters eat a variety of fresh foods aside from the packaged dry mixed hamster food. You should feed your hamster these treats at least every two to three days. Grains, sunflower seeds, nuts (in limited amounts), yogurt and alfalfa pellets are safe to give your hamster. They also enjoy fruits and vegetables like spinach, lettuce, carrots and apples cut into small pieces.

    Cooked Food

    • If you want to treat your hamster to cooked food, you can give it cooked chicken or fish but should avoid other meats such as beef and pork that are high in fat. Stick to the low-fat meats and serve them with fresh vegetables every few days after cutting them in small pieces. Be sure there are no bones in the chicken or fish before you serve it. Hamsters also enjoy hard-boiled eggs and rice but this should be given only once a week as a treat.

    Foods To Avoid

    • Not all foods are safe to give your hamster, and it is important to know which foods you should avoid. Do not feed your hamster raw kidney beans, raw potatoes, onions, rhubarb, chocolate, candy or other junk foods. Stick to healthy and nutritious fresh food, lean cooked meats and plenty of grains and seeds for a balanced diet.