What Is the Best Food for a Dwarf Hamster?
It’s important to help your dwarf hamster maintain a balanced diet. Why? Well for one thing, dwarf hamsters are at higher risk of diabetes. That’s why it’s important to feed them a special diet that will help keep their blood sugar levels stable.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Regular Hamster Food?
The short answer is yes, but many kibble formulas have ingredients that can upset the delicate diet of the dwarf hamster. It’s important to research before purchasing.
Dwarf hamster food options include healthy pellets, veggies, nuts/seeds, protein, dairy and grains. Please read our recommendations below, as certain foods will put your furry friend at risk.
The best dwarf hamster pellets should be as natural as possible, with little to no additives. Carefully read labels for sugars that will affect your hamster’s health.
Best Regular Hamster Food for Your Dwarf Hamster
- Henry’s Hamster food is the best of all hamster foods. It’s complete with grains, protein, veggies, nuts, eggs, vitamins and minerals.
- Vita Prima is a great natural alternative. The pellets are made up of sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, peas and barley. A daily portion of this food is sure to keep your hamster healthy and vitamin-rich.
- Kaytee Food from the Wild is all natural. This is a good, occasional food for your pet to snack on because it is mostly seed based.
How Much Food and Water Does a Dwarf Hamster Need?
You should always feed your pet appropriately throughout the day because dwarf hamsters expend a lot of energy. Here’s what a dwarf hamster needs:
- One tablespoon (15 grams) of nutritionally balanced food, such as commercial hamster pellets. Not all commercial pellets are good for the sensitive sugar levels of dwarf hamsters. We’ve outlined the healthiest choices for your little ball of fur above.
- A daily portion of one tablespoon (15 grams) of protein. We’ve listed some options below.
- Fresh food as treats is always a good option that can help provide necessary vitamins. We’ll walk you through introducing your pet to fresh food below and list options for a diverse and healthy diet.
- Lastly, a hamster water bottle to avoid dehydration and overfeeding. Here are some options we’ve found for your furry friend.
Amazon’s Choices
- Amazon’s choice is a, two-in-one water bottle with food container that comes in various colors.
- Keep things fun with this ceramic bear, two-in-one water bottle and food dish. Other options are available if you want to have a themed cage for your pet.
- If you just want to keep things simple, this single water bottle works great as well.
Factors To Consider When Feeding Your Dwarf Hamster
To maintain a healthy hamster, you should consider the time of day you feed your pet, their likes and dislikes and promptly discard uneaten food.
Dwarf hamsters are nocturnal animals, so it might be best to feed them in the evening. This way, they can burn off their food and maintain a healthy metabolism throughout the night.
Knowing your hamster’s preferences is vital to keeping them healthy and happy. Pay attention to what food your pet likes and avoids when experimenting with their diet. Throw away any uneaten food so your pet doesn’t accidentally eat rotten food and get sick.
What Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Besides Hamster Food?
Aside from pellets, your dwarf hamster can enjoy fresh produce and certain treats that are listed below. But be warned, you want to introduce these foods to your pet slowly.
Start by feeding them a small slice or piece of food once a week, then you can adjust accordingly to include that specific food daily as a snack. It’s good to test out different foods because not all products may agree with your hamster. If you notice diarrhea from your dwarf hamster, stop feeding them produce. Wait for the diarrhea to pass before testing other foods.
Dwarf Hamster Treats
1.Veggies
Veggies and seeds are the safest foods to give your pet for a healthy variety. Darker and more colorful veggies contain more vitamins and nutrients. Some simple veggies include green leafy romaine lettuce or spinach leaves. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cucumbers, celery, red and green bell peppers, Bok choy and sweet potatoes can add crunch to your pet’s diet. Other treats include beans and legumes.
2. Nuts/Seeds
Always monitor your pet’s intake of nuts and seeds. This snack contains high-fat content that can be dangerous in large portions.
3.Protein
Protein is a necessary and important part of a dwarf hamster’s diet. If your pet is vegan consider more beans and legumes as protein sources. Meat-based protein options include fish, boiled chicken/turkey, canned and drained tuna, cooked egg whites with small amounts of egg yolk and unseasoned poultry baby food.
4. Dairy
Dairy may be an option for your dwarf hamster, but remember that portioning is important. You can try feeding your hamster low-fat plain yogurt and unprocessed cheeses.
5. Grains
Grains can be a great alternative as a snack or side for your hamster’s meals. Whole grains are the best option when incorporating grains. Some favorite hamster snacks include cooked whole grain pasta, whole wheat toast and cooked whole grain rice, as long as they’re all cooled. If you’d like to add a crunchy grain to your hamster’s diet, opt for whole grain unsweetened cereals.
What Are Some Foods To Avoid?
Foods that are not nutritious for your furry friend include anything high in sugar. Look for different sugars like maltose, fructose and dextrose when reading food labels.
Not all veggies, fruits or grains are safe either. Avoid feeding your dwarf hamster carrots, corn, fruit, white rice and white bread. Again, these foods are all high in sugar that will deteriorate your pet’s health.
Also on the no-no list are potatoes, raisins, sprouts, garlic and onions. Avoid these foods because they are toxic to your loving companion’s health. Avoid chocolate completely because it can kill your pet.
