What Do Hamsters Eat? The 6 Best Foods for Hamsters

Hamsters are one of the most common pets in the United States because of their small size, low maintenance and fairly inexpensive. They are also incredibly cute. However, that doesn't mean that the right way to care for them is as widely known as cat or dog care. For example, many people do not know what hamsters eat.

If you've just brought home a hamster for your pet and don't know what to eat for dinner, the guide below will show you everything these little guys love to eat.

1.Pellets

Hamster pellets are small pieces of compressed hay, barley, oats, and other grains, possibly mixed with some other ingredients. They should be a major part of your hamster's diet as they are rich in fiber and other essential nutrients. However, do not feed them pellets alone, as hamsters need to eat a varied diet. You can always fill the hamster's bowl with pellets and add other foods from time to time.

2.Muesli

You'll find muesli next to hamster pellets in pet food stores. They seem to taste better than pellets, so you might want to buy them. The problem with muesli mixes is that they are a combination of healthy foods and sugary treats, and most hamsters will skip healthy foods for sugar. This deprives them of healthy nutrients and may damage their teeth. You can give your hamster a little muesli every now and then, but don't feed too much.

3.Timothy Hay

Timothy hay is a grass-type hay with incredible fiber. This is important because hamsters' teeth never stop growing, so they need to bite on something that can file the teeth (for this, you should also have wood blocks and other accessories in their cage).

Timothy hay is high in fiber, so eating it will ensure your hamster stays on track. High-fiber foods fill the stomach, so if your hamster is full of hay, they will eat less junk food.

4.Fresh Vegetables

Hamsters love fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens. Romaine lettuce is one of the best options because it is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. But be in moderation, as too much water can cause diarrhea in hamsters. You can also feed your hamster spinach, cabbage, artichokes, broccoli, carrots, asparagus and bok choy.

It is important to wash vegetables thoroughly before feeding them to pets, as you want to remove residual traces of pesticides or herbicides. While the chemicals on them are unlikely to harm you, your hamster is much more vulnerable.

5.Fresh Fruits

Fruits are nutritious, but also high in sugar, so give them sparingly. Use them as a snack, not a main meal. Hamsters love apples (without skins or seeds), strawberries, bananas, and pears. Be careful not to give them too much juicy stuff, too, as too much water can cause diarrhea. It's also a good idea to avoid citrus fruits, as their high acidity can cause digestive problems. Just like vegetables, you should wash fruit thoroughly before eating it.

6.Meat

Yes, it's important to include meat in your hamster's diet because they need protein and that's what they eat in the wild. In fact, hamsters even hunt lizards and frogs in packs!

That doesn't mean you need to bring home a bullfrog as an offering, though. Most people feed hamsters with hard-boiled eggs and mealworms, although you can use hard-boiled beef, turkey, or chicken. You can also use grasshoppers, crickets, and other small insects.

For your pet, knowing what foods to avoid is nearly as important as knowing what foods they should eat. Most poisonous hamster foods are obvious: chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol are all bad ideas. Avoid any raw meat (except insects) or raw beans and potatoes. Acorns, peanuts, onions, tomatoes and garlic are also bad.