High-Calorie Food for Hamsters

Hamsters can be fascinating creatures, content to run for miles without going anywhere. They make fantastic pets, especially for those new to having a furry companion. Their dietary needs vary from other animals, and many good quality food choices are available. Hamsters enjoy the occasional high-calorie treat, but an excessive amount of high-calorie food may cause obesity.

  1. Calorie Content

    • Hamster foods made commercially are designed to provide a good mixture of seeds, grains, cracked corn and pellets. Hamsters, like us, may take a liking to a particular component of their food, and so they may pick through the mix until they find their favorite items. Feeding your hamster once daily and not topping off her food will ensure she isn't picking out only the tastier, higher-calorie bits such as corn, which packs a whopping 354 calories in a 3.5-ounce serving. Because of their nocturnal lifestyle, it's best to feed your hamster in the morning, allowing her to snack during periods of wakefulness, or in the evening, when hamsters emerge from sleep in preparation for a long night of digging and wheel riding.

    High-Calorie Choices to Avoid

    • Similar to any animal or human, a hamster may become obese if she consumes too many calories, and obesity poses dangers to all creatures. An obese hamster is likely to sleep more and avoid exercise, because moving an obese body is a lot of work. Although the ASPCA recommends supplementing your hamster's diet every two to three days with a fresh food choice, treats like carrot sticks, sesame sticks and dried fruits are especially high in calories, which may cause obesity.

    Real Danger in Selective Eating

    • The word hamster is derived from the German word "hamstern," which means "hoard," and hamsters are the ultimate hoarders. Hamsters will stock food in small piles in their bedding, which creates more than just a mess. A hamster that hoards tasty food pieces higher in calories might not be getting the right amount of fiber, and fiber is critical to a hamster's diet. If your little fluffball isn't getting the right amount of fiber, she may end up with a nasty case of wet tail, which presents as diarrhea -- and may be deadly.

    Proper Caloric Intake for Good Health

    • A thousand days may seem like a long time, but this isn't an extraordinary lifespan for a pet. Controlling your hamster's food and calorie intake may take some work, but a healthy hamster has a better quality of life and lives longer. It may take some time to get used to the sound of a squeaky wheel while you're trying to sleep, but the absence of it takes some getting used to as well. Keeping your hamster in good health helps ensure the squeaky ambience for years to come.