How To Feed A Hamster?

Hamsters are adorable animals to pet. But if you are new to petting a hamster and want to keep your little friend for a long time by your side, you have to know how to feed a hamster.

Start by getting the right equipment like a feeding bowl and water bottle. Choose the ideal food for your hamster. Then mix it with fresh veggies and fruits and serve in a ceramic bowl. Place it in the cage, and the hamster will feed itself. Also, provide clean drinking water in the bottle.

Hamsters are omnivores. They can eat pretty much everything starting from vegetables to meat. But as they are tiny, the quantity of food and the way they eat is different from other animals.

Table of Contents

Equipment Needed To Feed A Hamster

There are some basic things you need to buy for your little friend so that they can eat without any hassle.

A Ceramic Bowl

We’ll recommend you feed your hamster by scattering the food inside the cage most of the time so that your hamster has to hunt down the food. This will keep your hamster active and entertained.

But if this technique doesn’t work well on your hamster, you can buy or collect a round ceramic bowl. Hamsters can scratch up plastic materials, and bacteria grow faster on them. That’s why ceramic bowls are ideal.

A Water Bottle

People usually give their hamsters water to drink in a dish or bowl. But this can cause sanitary problems as hamsters can knock that over. So it’s recommended to use a hanging water bottle that has a spout.

What Does A Hamster Eat?

People often think that hamsters can only eat seeds and nuts. But in reality, hamsters can eat a variety of food as they are omnivores.

Ideal Foods

The ideal foods for your hamster are:

Seeds
Pelleted Food
Nuts
Grains

Vegetables

Trust me; hamsters love to eat vegetables! If you give them a little piece of any vegetables mentioned below, they will thank you for the rest of their life.

Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Cabbage
Celery
Cucumber
Bok Choi
Spinach
Carrots

Fruits

There are also some fruits that hamsters are fond of. But don’t give them too much of any fruits as they contain a lot of sugar.

Apples
Banana
Cherries
Strawberries

Meat

You might be surprised to know that hamsters can actually eat quite an extensive range of meats. The list includes:

Crickets
Mealworms
Cooked chicken
Cooked beef
Canned meat

Steps To Feed A Hamster

Here are some steps to explain how to feed your little pet friend. You can go by the book or come up with a way that best suits their routines.

Step 01- Buying The Right Food

This is the first and most critical step to feed your hamster. You can buy hamster foods such as seeds, grains, pelleted foods, etc., from your local pet shops.

Other fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits might be available in your house, or you can buy them too. Try to provide them fresh vegetables and fruits instead of those which were stored for a long time.

Step 02 – Mixing Them With Fresh Foods

Then mix the pelleted foods or seeds with the fresh foods. As a result, your hamster will get all the nutrients that it needs. And this will also restrict them from becoming picky eaters.

Step 03 – Put It In The Cage On A Ceramic Bowl

On a ceramic bowl, put one or two tablespoons of the mixed food. And place it in the cage on the usual spot that your hamster uses to eat. Keep changing the position of the bowl until your hamster sticks to one place for eating.

Step 04 – Give Some Water In A Water Bottle

You can give your hamster drinking water in a water bottle that has a spout. And obviously, you should hang the bottle in a perfect position of the cage so that your little friend can drink water by standing on its tiny feet without any problem.

Step 05 – Feed The Treats With Your Hands

You can give your hamster a treat occasionally. It will keep your hamster enthusiastic and lively.

For treats, you can give them boiled eggs, mealworms, meats, etc. And try to feed them with your hand when you give them a treat so that they can feel the warmth and bond.

How Much Does A Hamster Eat?

As hamsters are tiny, the amount of their food must be minimal too. So, always put one or two tablespoons of food on the dish. And feed your friend only once a day, either in the morning or evening.

The amount also varies depending on the breed of your hamsters. Usually, Syrian hamsters eat faster than Dwarf hamsters. Still, there is no need to think that Dwarf hamsters may eat too little.

And when you are giving your hamster foods like vegetables and fruits, give them a small amount or piece that you can balance on your fingertips.

How Often Should You Feed Your Hamster?

You can give your hamster one tablespoon of food every day. But don’t refill the dish until your hamster has finished all the foods given before. Keeping the container always full might make your hamster a picky eater.

And if you are worried that your hamster might starve himself. Don’t worry! Hamsters never do that. They will eventually eat everything served on the dish.

You can keep giving them little pieces of vegetables and fruits after every one or two days at first. Then they will automatically build up the habit of eating veggies and fruits daily.

Foods To Avoid For Your Hamster

As hamsters are omnivores, they can eat almost everything. But it’s not entirely accurate all the time. Some foods can cause serious harm to your little friend. Such as:

Chocolate
Cheese
Avocado
Raw Potatoes
Pork
Candies
Onion
Garlic

Also, avoid food that contains too much fat and sugar.

Bottom Line

Feeding your hamster can be a little tricky. To provide them all the nutrients they need, you must always be careful of what you are feeding them and how. It might be a little complicated to measure how much food to give them as they are too small. But don’t worry too much.

If you follow this article on how to feed a hamster properly and feed your furry little friend with a little more care, it will live happily with you for a long time!

Author
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John Thompson

John Thompson is a passionate writer and devoted hamster enthusiast who has dedicated her life to the well-being and happiness of these adorable little creatures. With years of experience as a hamster owner,John possesses a deep understanding of their unique needs and behaviors, which she shares with the world through her captivating writing.

Known for her engaging storytelling and insightful articles,John's hamster blog has become a go-to resource for hamster lovers everywhere. Her ability to blend knowledge, creativity, and a touch of humor has earned her a loyal following of readers who eagerly anticipate her next post.

John's love for hamsters began in her childhood when she received her first pet hamster, Whiskers. Ever since that fateful day, her fascination with these tiny furballs has grown into a full-fledged obsession. She spends countless hours researching, experimenting, and observing hamster behavior to ensure that her writing is always backed by solid knowledge and firsthand experiences.

Through her blog,John strives to educate fellow hamster owners on the importance of providing proper care and a nurturing environment for these small creatures. She covers a wide range of topics, from choosing the right hamster species and setting up the perfect habitat to nutrition, health, and behavior training. Her tips and tricks are practical and easy to follow, ensuring that every hamster owner can give their pet the love and care it deserves.

John's writing not only caters to hamster enthusiasts but also serves as a valuable resource for those considering bringing a hamster into their lives. Her articles provide an in-depth understanding of the responsibilities and Joys of hamster ownership, helping prospective owners make informed decisions.

WhenJohn isn't busy writing or tending to her furry companions, she can often be found volunteering at local animal shelters and hamster rescue organizations. She firmly believes in the power of community and hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of as many hamsters as possible.

John's dedication to the well-being of hamsters and her ability to communicate her knowledge with passion and clarity have made her a respected authority in the hamster community. Her blog continues to inspire and educate, creating a stronger bond between humans and their adorable hamster friends.

FollowJohn on her hamster blog to embark on an exciting Journey into the world of hamsters, where love, care, and happiness come together to create unforgettable experiences.