Hamsters are cute, little balls of fur to cuddle. It's fun to play with them, but also just to watch them. However, a key aspect of owning one of these furry creatures is making sure you feed them properly. Follow these steps to learn how to feed your hamster friends.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Buying the Right Kind of Food
Step 1. Select the right type of daily food for your hamster
The bulk of a hamster's diet should consist of commercial hamster feed. This can consist of pellets or seed mix. You can also find brands that produce packages with combinations that include pellets, seeds, corn kernels and different types of grains. Pellets are similar to our vitamin supplements - they are made up of most of the nutrients a hamster needs to lead a healthy life. You can also learn how to compose your own homemade hamster food.
Step 2. Supplement the hamster's diet with fresh food
This means giving him a piece of fruit or a vegetable one day and another. Try to avoid products that are high in sugar or water, as hamsters have a tendency to develop diabetes, and excess water causes them to get diarrhea. Some examples of good fresh food to give him are:
- Fruit: Seedless apples, blueberries, pears, plums and peaches.
- Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, asparagus and zucchini.
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Foods to always avoid:
Almonds contain cyanic acid which is harmful to hamsters. You should also avoid watermelon, as it will give them diarrhea, as will any fruit or vegetable with seeds or pits.
Step 3. Give the hamster solid treats
While the fruits and vegetables you give him are still considered rewards, you can also give him solid gifts. These surprises are meant to keep the health of his teeth in check - hamsters need something to gnaw on, otherwise their teeth will become too long. These sorts of hard surprises are:
Small sticks or sprigs of fruit trees, hard store-bought gifts (similar to those for dogs), and other commercial snacks
Step 4. Give the hamster enough water
Find a hamster-sized water dispenser at your local pet store. This will look like a water bottle with a spout attached to the top and a small ball inside it. Place it upside down in the cage and make sure you refill it regularly.
Usually, it is a bad idea to give the hamster a tub of water, as it will most likely end up creating a small swamp that could grow dangerous mold if it is not dried immediately
Part 2 of 2: Feeding Your Hamster
Step 1. Choose the right time of day to feed the hamster
Hamster experts continually argue about the best time to feed them. Some argue that this should be done in the evening, as these are nocturnal animals and typically eat (and hang around) mostly at night. The other line of thinking is that you should feed your hamster in the morning. These little furry creatures tend to wake up at random times of the day and will therefore accept a quick meal, which they will carry out of the bowls. Since neither opinion has been confirmed as the best, you can decide at what time of day to feed him: morning or evening.
Step 2. Choose the right bowl for your food
Make sure you get a small one - using a large one could lead to an overfed hamster. Large bowls also take up a lot of space inside the cage, which could be used for better purposes (like sleeping or playing). Other features to consider when choosing the bowl are:
- Choose a ceramic bowl rather than a plastic one. The ceramic ones are stronger and more difficult to bite into.
- Place the bowl on the opposite side of the cage from the one the hamster uses as a toilet. You will find that the hamster only goes to the bathroom in one corner of the cage. Notice where it is, then place the food bowl as far away from it as possible.
Step 3. Give your hamster the right amount of food
Despite the difference in size, Dwarf hamsters and Syrians eat roughly the same amount of food. Dwarf hamsters may be tiny, but they keep fit with activity and an efficient metabolism. Give the hamster about one tablespoon of commercial food each day. As mentioned, you can also supplement that food with both fresh and solid treats every other day.
Don't be tempted to fill an empty bowl. If you have already fed your hamster and notice that the food seems to disappear immediately, do not add any more. They like to carry around their food by holding it in their cheeks and burying them in small deposits around the cage for eating later. So just because your furry friend's bowl looks empty doesn't mean he's desperately waiting for another serving
Step 4. Keep your hand in the cage for a moment before placing the food in the bowl
By doing this, you will show the hamster who is feeding him. This is also a good way to get a new hamster to get used to your presence and smell.
Advice
- Don't give him too much food - by doing so, the hamster will have problems with obesity and other ailments such as diabetes.
- Clean the cage once a week. This will ensure that mold does not start to form due to the stored (and forgotten) food your hamster will leave around the cage.
