Food for Hamsters

The Facts

• Hamsters are adapted to eat a wide range of foods in their natural surroundings. Knowing what foods are available and healthy for your hamster and what foods aren't is important.Hamsters can enjoy a wide range of fruits and vegetables that are readily available in your local produce department. To make sure the produce does not have any pesticides, wash it with diluted dish soap and water, being careful to rinse all of the soap off--residue can give your pet diarrhea. Dry the produce and serve it at room temperature; never serve it hot or cold.

Types

• Always start your hamster on a new food with very small portions. Make sure it does not make him sick, and do not feed him the new food two days in a row until you are sure he can tolerate it. Many fruits are healthy for your hamster, but do not let your hamster have the seeds or stones of any fruit. While some are merely undigestible, others can be toxic. Remember that fruits are high in sugar, so don't overfeed. Hamsters will eat apples, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe and other melons, cherries, cranberries (unprocessed), grapes, plums and strawberries.

  Grains and seeds they might like include lentils, oatmeal, alfalfa, brown rice, most nuts, popcorn without butter, peanuts, squash or pumpkin seeds. Make sure any grains or seeds you feed your hamster do not have added salt or sugar.

  Vegetables that are safe for most hamsters include asparagus, bean sprouts, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower leaves and stalks, celery, corn on the cob (remove the cob when he's done), cress, cucumbers, endive, green beans, mint, okra, parsley, peas, sage, squash, sweet peppers, turnips, and spinach.

  Hamsters will eat bread, mild cheeses, cottage cheese, baby food, cooked pasta, bland cereals (no added sugar) and dog biscuits, but it is usually safer to avoid processed foods because they are generally higher in salt, sugar and additives than natural products.

  Wild foods that they will eat include dandelion leaves, chickweed, clover and grasshoppers. Hamsters also enjoy live crickets and mealworms from the pet store.

Warning

• Commercially prepared hamster mix is designed to give your pet a balanced diet that includes at least 20 percent protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. Use alternate foods to augment that basic nutrition, not replace it.

  There are many foods to avoid feeding your hamster. These include: almonds, apple seeds, canned foods, chocolate or candies, junk food, pork, potatoes, kidney beans, eggplant, grape seeds, avocado, rhubarb, tomato leaves, all citrus fruits, watermelon, fruit pits or stones, jams and jellies, spices, garlic, onions, leeks or scallions, chives and pickles. Excess lettuce can cause liver problems.