Foods for Miniature Hamsters

Miniature hamsters are more commonly called "dwarf" hamsters. There are four species of dwarf hamsters, with a few morphs and color distinctions in each group. Chinese, Siberian, Campbell's and Roborovski are all dwarf hamsters. What separates them from breeds of Syrian hamsters, apart from their size, is that they may be kept in same-sex pairs or groups, unlike Syrians, which will fight to the death. Feeding these little guys is easily accomplished with any commercial mixture sold for hamsters in pet stores, but they also enjoy a variety of fresh foods.

  1. Commercial Mix

    • Hamsters require a staple diet of seeds, pellets and grains. This can be easily accomplished by purchasing any number of commercial hamster mixtures sold in pet stores and supermarkets. Kaytee, Sunscription, Nutriphase and Vitakraft all make healthy hamster mixes. If your hamster tends to pick out certain foods only, opt for a lab-block type of pelleted food instead of a mix. This will ensure that your hamster gets all of the nutrients it needs.

    Fresh Foods

    • Occasional fresh food should be offered to hamsters in small amounts along with dry commercial feed. A dwarf hamster's stomach requires only a tablespoon of food per day. Acceptable fresh foods include small amounts of romaine or red-leaf lettuce, spinach, broccoli, herbs, carrot, apple, grapes, raisins, berries, unsalted nuts, cheese, brown rice and oats. A bit of timothy hay is helpful for wearing down teeth. In the wild, hamsters eat small insects, so an occasional small cricket or mealworm, a bit of dry cat or dog food, or a small piece of hard-boiled egg is helpful for adding protein to the hamster's diet. These animals are omnivorous, so there is very little that they cannot eat. Remove all uneaten fresh food to prevent mold and decay.

    Do Not Feed

    • Foods you should never feed hamsters include chocolate, sugar, sweets and candy. Iceberg lettuce is too watery and should be avoided. Citrus, garlic and onions will probably cause stomach upset, and uncooked meat contains harmful bacteria and should not be fed to hamsters. Of course, a hamster should not be offered caffeine or alcohol.

    Treats

    • Many treats sold in pet stores are marketed for pet hamsters. They are OK in small amounts. However, these treats generally have no nutritional value and may have preservatives, artificial sweeteners or other unhealthy ingredients. Overall, store-bought treats are unnecessary. Your hamster will be just as happy with a bit of fresh fruit or vegetable for a treat.