Can Hamsters Eat Bird Food?

Hamsters are a popular household pet. They are cute, active, and easy to care for. Hamsters, like most rodents, forage for their food. An important aspect of caring for a hamster is to provide the animal with healthy food like it would find in the wild.
    • Hamsters love to eat

    Hamster Facts

    • The hamster is in the rodent family, with origins in semi-desert areas. They are nocturnal, sleeping in the day and awake at night, and they have poor eye sight but good hearing.

    Hamster Food

    • Because hamsters are rodents, they will generally eat a variety of substances. However, each hamster is different and may have specific dietary needs. Pet stores sell hamster food and food pellets which provide a well rounded diet, including peanuts, crushed oats, barley, and sunflower seeds.

    Bird Food

    • When birds are in the wild, they primarily feed on seeds, nuts, and insects. Packaged bird food attempts to meet the same nutritional needs that a bird would get living in the wild, so seeds, nuts, and protein are found in most bird feed.

    Hamsters and Bird Food

    • Because of the nutritional similarities, hamsters are able to eat bird food. Bird food can be especially nutritious for smaller hamsters, such as dwarf hamsters, or hamsters with young babies.

    Warning

    • While bird food is nutritious for hamsters, it is important to provide the hamster with a well-rounded diet. Bird food does not provide the hamster with all of its dietary needs, such as yeast and fresh vegetables.