What Do Hamsters Eat?
Hamsters are omnivores, primarily eating a diet of seeds, grains, grasses, and occasionally small insects in the wild, says Jill M. Patt, DVM, founder and owner of Little Critters Veterinary Hospital, in Gilbert, Arizona. Hamsters forage for food and are opportunistic, eating whatever is available in their natural environment.
And while hamsters in the wild have a varied diet, pet hamsters benefit from eating a balanced diet on a routine feeding schedule—no scavenging required! This diet is generally made up of commercial pelleted food or seed mixes that are supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional treats.
“The diet of a pet hamster is usually designed to provide all necessary nutrients without the risk of nutritional imbalances or deficiencies seen in the wild,” Dr. Patt says.
Pelleted Hamster Food
The main difference between a wild hamster’s and a pet hamster’s diet is commercially available pelleted food, sometimes known as rodent blocks.
“Pelleted food offers a complete and nutritionally balanced diet, ensuring that hamsters receive all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients without picking out only their favorite parts, as can happen with loose seed mixes,” Dr. Patt says.
This selective picking of seed mixes by hamsters is equivalent to us eating only the marshmallows in our Lucky Charms®. For hamsters, the tasty seeds are magically delicious—but not terribly nutritious. So, it’s important to feed hamsters pellets to prevent nutritional imbalances.
Dr. Patt recommends feeding an adult hamster about 1–2 tablespoons of pelleted food per day. While you can feed them once a day, she says it’s good to monitor how much they eat and adjust accordingly. A few high-quality pelleted food options she recommends include Oxbow® Essentials and Kaytee® Forti-Diet Pro Health®.
Robin Urie, DVM, owner and veterinarian of Warm & Fuzzy Veterinary Center in Middle River, Maryland, says your hamster’s rodent block should make up about 75% of their diet, and fresh foods should make up about 25%.
Can Hamsters Eat Fruits and Vegetables?
Hamsters love fruits and veggies! As with any pet, it’s important to know which are safe, how to introduce them into your hamster’s diet, and an appropriate amount to feed.
According to Dr. Patt and Dr. Urie, fruits that are safe for hamsters to eat include:
- Apples (no seeds, as they are toxic to hamsters)
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Pears
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Additionally, safe vegetables for hamsters to eat include:
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli (a small piece, about 0.5 to 1 cm of a broccoli floret)
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Dandelion greens
- Green leaf lettuce
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach (in small amounts only, due to its high calcium content, which can lead to bladder stones)
- Zucchini
Introduce fresh foods slowly, offering small amounts at first to avoid upsetting your hamster’s digestive system, Dr. Patt recommends. “A general guideline is to start with a thumbnail-size piece once or twice a week. Gradually increase to two to three times per week, ensuring the hamster’s stools remain normal.”
When feeding your hamster fresh foods, watch for excessive gas or diarrhea. These are indications that your hammy’s tummy is upset from eating too much of these healthy foods.
Overconsumption of fresh foods, particularly fruits, can lead to weight gain or diabetes in hamsters, especially in dwarf hamsters. Due to the potential health risks involved, Dr. Patt says it’s best to feed fruits sparingly and vegetables in small portions just a few times a week.
“For any diet changes or if you have concerns about your hamster’s health, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian,” she adds.
Hay
Hamsters have a unique digestive system compared to other rodents, consisting of a multi-chambered stomach, including a forestomach and gastric pouch, says Tony Rose Adler, co-president of the California Hamster Association, in Los Angeles.
Although some believe pet hamsters are unable to digest hay, she explains that they can eat—and digest—hay and grass, just as they would in the wild.
But unlike other rodents, such as guinea pigs and chinchillas, hamsters don’t need hay in their diet. Dr. Urie notes that they don’t do as intense fermenting (a digestive process where fiber is broken down by bacteria in the gut to extract nutrients) as guinea pigs and rabbits do, and pelleted food will provide them the nutrition they need and help keep their teeth at a healthy length.
Adler says that hamsters are more dependent on protein quality than most ruminants (animals that chew the cud regurgitated from their first stomach). She says that including hay in a hamster’s diet can add fiber that degrades protein and changes how it can be absorbed.
If you’re keen on offering hay to your hamster, it can be used as nesting material and provide mental stimulation through scent, texture, and—yes—the occasional chew, she adds.
Other Safe Foods for Hamsters
Hamsters may be small, but they have a big appetite for treats! Experts Dr. Urie and Adler note that the following foods are safe treat options for your hammy:
- A high-quality seed mix, such as Bunny Nature® Hamster Dream and Higgins® Sunburst Gourmet Blend® (to satisfy their natural foraging instinct)
- Pistachios (with shells removed and unsalted)
- Eggs (hard-boiled or scrambled; preferably quail eggs, since they’re smaller than chicken eggs)
- Peanut butter (natural, no salt or additives like xylitol; a thin layer)
- Millet spray (plain and in small amounts)
- Live, well-bred mealworms (occasionally; please note, there are risks of gastrointestinal parasites when feeding live prey)
When giving your hamster any food, Dr. Urie says it’s important to think of the volume offered in relation to their size. For example, very small pieces of a single nut rather than a whole, single nut should be given, as the nut may be half the size of your hammy’s head—or bigger!
Nuts are also high in fat, which can pose health risks if given in high amounts or too frequently. No matter the treat, moderation is key.
Poisonous Food for Hamsters
When feeding your hamster, it’s important to avoid foods that are dangerous and/or toxic to hammys, including:
- Artificial sweeteners (e.g., xylitol/birch sugar, aspartame, stevia, sucralose, erythritol)
- Dairy products (e.g., yogurt drops)
- High-sugar foods, even natural ones (e.g., bananas, grapes)
- Fruit pits or seeds (e.g., apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits)
- Avocado skin
- Garlic
- Rhubarb
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
Making Feeding Fun
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Feeding your hamster a healthy, balanced diet is important—as is keeping mealtime fun and engaging. Mental stimulation is essential to a hamster’s well-being. What better way than to encourage them to play with their food?
Dr. Urie and Adler share these mealtime enrichment tips to keep your hammy happy and healthy:
- Make a puzzle feeder out of cardboard boxes or paper towel tubes, and stuff it with a mixture of timothy hay, seeds, and nuts. This will prompt them to dig, chew, and rip out the hay to get to their food.
- Set up a treat trail around their cage to help them exercise to find their natural food. Amp up the fun by providing various food sources in different parts of their cage to add levels of difficulty.
- Sprinkle their rodent blocks and seed mix over their bedding. This allows them to hunt for their favorite pieces.
What Do Hamsters Eat? FAQs
Q:What are hamsters’ most favorite food?
A:Hamsters generally enjoy a variety of foods, with some favorites including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and mealworms, Dr. Patt says.
Q:What can I give my hamster to snack on at night?
A:For a nighttime snack, Dr. Patt recommends giving small amounts of hamster-safe treats, such as unsalted peanuts, plain popcorn, or a few pieces of their favorite fresh vegetables. She recommends giving treats sparingly to prevent overfeeding, as well as sticking to their main balanced diet and supplementing with small, nutritious snacks to keep your hammy happy and healthy.
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