TheAnimalsPedia

What do hamster eat?

Introduction 

Hamsters are a cute little species that are most popular as pets throughout the world. Hamsters are the best pet to keep as they are less expensive and they have very low maintenance in their diet and other activities. Hamsters in the wild take care of themselves on their own and have to struggle in their daily life, from searching for food to protecting themselves from predators.

But hamsters in captivity are provided with all the healthy food sources and they remain safe. Hamsters are provided with many foods and their diet and nutrients consist of varieties of food. So what are the foods which hamsters eat? We will discuss this further in this article.

Overview

Hamsters in captivity can be raised as herbivores by giving them all plants based on good or nutritional seeds and grain. Hamsters in the wild consume plant-based based and small insects and worms. All species of hamsters have different diets and nutrients but all of them eat seeds, grains, nuts, and other vegetables as these are their common food sources.

Good foods for hamsters

  • Seed mix

Seed Mix Seed mix hamsters like to consume  Seed mixes containing balanced nutrition. Always consider the quality. Some hamster seed mix has low quality and lacks a variety of seeds and in some, there are artificial colors added instead of their natural color which is not at all good for your pet hamster. So if you are thinking of feeding this to your pet, choose a good quality hamster seed mix with all healthy ingredients. Moreover, this food can be given as a good treat to give to the hamsters.

  • Pellets

Pellets can be a good option for hamsters in captivity as these foods have complete nutrition which a hamster needs and these adorable creatures love chewing on them. The best thing is that it doesn’t go bad like other vegetables or fruits. Hamsters love pallets as they look similar to cookies or biscuits.

Also, know How big should a hamster cage be?

What are some healthy foods hamsters eat?

Hamsters can consume anything that a human eats. You should always treat your hamsters with healthy food. You can give them fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yogurts ( the homemade ones), etc. So here are some of the food lists you can give your hamsters instead of junk and flavored cheerios:

  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Sunflower seed
  • Yogurts
  • Carrots
  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Cauliflower
  • Cucumber
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Peanuts( healthy ones)
  • Mealworms
  • Cooked chicken
  •  Bananas
  • Grapes
  • Kale
  • Peas
  • Cooked potatoes
  • Hay
  • Squash
  • Cooked brown rice
  • Lenticels
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Crickets
  • Cooked whole-wheat pasta
  • Whole-grain cereal

The above-mentioned foods are some healthy treats you can consider for your hamster’s diet. And avoid junk food, chocolates, onions, garlic, and other foods like these because hamsters don’t like these and secondly they are not good and safe for them.

Foods which is not good for hamsters

There are various other foods that hamsters don’t like or which are not good for their health. So, hamsters in captivity should be taken care and they need not feed this mentioned food:

  • Onions
  • Almonds
  • Garlic
  • Citrus fruit
  • Raw potatoes
  • Apple seeds
  • Raw beans
  • Chocolate
  • Any sugary or salty food

All these foods should be avoided from feeding to the hamsters along with other junk food. Hamsters are tiny creatures that need very good care and just like their skin, they are sensitive to their health too.

What do wild hamsters eat?

Wild hamsters are omnivores and therefore they feed on smaller animals and insects. They eat a variety of things they find in the wild forest or desert. Their main diets are grass and seeds which can be easily accessible to them. And when they find insects or lizards, frogs etc they feed on them. Hamsters living in the wild are not so choosy therefore they can consume anything they find to eat. 

What can hamsters drink?

Hamsters in the wild don’t get fresh water to drink daily but hamsters in captivity are getting this every day. Therefore water is a vital need for every creature to get. Other than this hamsters can drink cow’s milk or fruit juice but it is said by some vets that it isn’t healthy to give them juice and milk.

Conclusion

Hamsters in captivity are provided with all healthy food sources and that is the reason they are healthier than hamsters in the wild. There are various food sources that hamsters eat and hence, all the foods have been mentioned above. So, if you are thinking about what food you can give to your little pet, then you have so many options to choose from.

FAQs

What can an owner feed their hamster if they run out of food?

Hamsters in captivity eat varieties of food sources but if there is a lack of food at home, then the owner can feed them with cooked eggs, flax, pumpkin seeds, and tofu. These foods are filled with proteins and will be the best food for them. You can also feed them vegetables and some fruits which are healthy for your hamsters. As a treat, you can also consider alfalfa, wheat toast, millet sprays and timothy has can be acceptable just for a day or two.

Can Hamsters eat cheese?

Cheese is high in fats and sodium content and is considered not healthy for hamsters. Though it is liked by many hamsters, they love the taste of cheese. In that case, hamsters can eat them occasionally and should not be added to their regular diet. Only once or twice a week and that too only in a small amount.

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