10 Best Hamster Foods in 2020
Nothing is more hilarious than seeing a little hamster with his cheeks stuffed full of food.
There is no denying that hamsters make amusing pets, but they do require a certain degree of care. In addition to making sure that your hamster’s needs for exercise and shelter are met, you also need to feed him a healthy diet. The quality of your hamster’s diet will have a direct impact on his health and wellness, so don’t neglect it!
If you aren’t sure where to start when shopping for a good hamster food, don’t worry – we’ve done the hard work for you! We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best hamster foods so all you have to do is pick one from our list.
Once you’ve chosen the best hamster food, all you have to do is follow the feeding instructions. Make sure to give your hamster enough food to sustain him but not so much that he gains an unhealthy amount of weight.
Keep reading to learn more about what to feed your hamster as well as when and how much to ensure long-lasting health for your furry friend.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best Hamster Foods:
#10 Ecotrition Yogies Hamster Treats
Everyone deserves a treat once in a while – even your hamster. If you’re looking for a hamster treat that is indulgent as well as healthy, try these Ecotrition Yogies Hamster Treats. These treats feature real yogurt with a natural cheese flavor your hamster won’t be able to resist.
They come in small bite-sized drops that are easy to feed – especially if you’re using them for training or to encourage your hamster to get used to being handled. These Ecotrition Yogies Hamster Treats are highly affordable and they come in a resealable bag to keep them fresh. Simply offer your hamster 1 to 2 treats per day to supplement his daily diet and he’ll be happy.
Pros: Made with real yogurt, natural cheese flavor, small drops are easy to feed, highly affordable, comes in a resealable bag, great for training
Cons: Not nutritionally balanced as a staple diet, drops may melt together in the heat
#9 Kaytee Healthy Bits Treats for Hamsters
While it is important to provide your hamster with a healthy and balanced diet, you can also offer him treats to supplement his nutrition and to encourage him to have a little fun. If you’re looking for a healthy and high-quality treat for your hamster, try these Kaytee Healthy Bits Treats for Hamsters. These treats come in small nuggets that contain a variety of tastes and textures.
Feed your hamster these treats by hand or in their bowl, making sure that they don’t account for more than 20% of his daily diet. In addition to providing a blend of tastes and textures, these treats are also fortified with beneficial supplements. Added vitamins and minerals provide a boost of healthy nutrition while probiotics support digestive healthy. Overall, these treats are a tasty and healthy choice for your hamster, no matter what kind you have.
Pros: Variety of tastes and textures, easy to feed nuggets, supplemented with added vitamins and minerals, probiotics for healthy digestion, great for chewing
Cons: Not nutritionally complete (only use as treats), may be too large for some dwarf hamsters
#8 Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix
Available in a convenient 2-pound bag, this Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix is a great option if you’re looking for something that offers variety. This formula features a blend of different tastes and textures to support your hamster’s natural foraging behavior, plus the crunchy textures will help keep his teeth clean and healthy as well.
This recipe is nutritionally balanced, and it contains no added flavors or sugars, so you can feel good about making this choice. It is suitable for all breeds and ages of hamsters, plus it contains added vitamins and minerals for health and vitality. Many hamster owners also find that this Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix is great for picky eaters.
Pros: Good for picky eaters, variety of tastes and textures, nutritionally balanced, no added flavors or sugar, supplemented with vitamins and minerals, suitable for all breeds
Cons: Not every bite is nutritionally complete, some customers say it is very seed-heavy
#7 Ecotrition Essential Blend Food for Hamsters & Gerbils
This Ecotrition Essential Blend Food for Hamsters & Gerbils is scientifically formulated to help your hamster flourish. It features a blend of healthy, natural ingredients to ensure that his nutritional needs are being met in addition to supporting healthy chewing and foraging behaviors. This recipe has a variety of tastes and textures and also includes nutritionally-balanced pellets.
It is fortified with vitamins and minerals for healthy growth and maintenance with antioxidants for healthy immunity. Not only is this Ecotrition Essential Blend Food for Hamsters & Gerbils formula nutritionally balanced, but it is full of delicious flavor as well. Both you and your hamster are going to love it.
Pros: Made with high-quality natural ingredients, rich in vitamins and minerals, antioxidants for immune health, encourages natural chewing and foraging behaviors, nutritionally balanced pellets
Cons: Not every bite is nutritionally complete, somewhat expensive
#6 Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix for Hamsters
If you’re looking for a gourmet food blend for your hamster, consider this Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix for Hamsters. This formula features natural ingredients like sunflower seeds and dried fruit as well as nutritionally balanced pellets to make sure your hamster gets all of the essential nutrients he needs.
It is rich in antioxidants for total health and wellness, plus plenty of vitamins and minerals to ensure that his nutritional needs are being met. This formula is supplemented with probiotics to encourage healthy digestion and it is preserved naturally with no artificial colors. Plus, it comes in a resealable bag to help keep the product fresher longer.
Pros: Gourmet quality food, supplemented with DHA, antioxidants for healthy immunity, probiotics for digestion, variety of tastes and textures, no artificial preservatives or colors
Cons: Not every bite is nutritionally complete, contains added (natural) color
#5 Kaytee Fiesta Hamster & Gerbil Food
For a healthy hamster food that also keeps your hamster happy, try this Kaytee Fiesta Hamster & Gerbil Food. This blend features a variety of shapes and textures to keep your hamster entertained while also supporting his dental health through natural chewing activity. It contains a combination of nutritionally-complete pellets with seeds, grains, and crunchy bits that support your hamster’s natural foraging behavior.
This Kaytee Fiesta Hamster & Gerbil Food is rich in antioxidants for healthy immunity and supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion. It also contains plenty of vitamins and minerals to ensure that it is nutritionally complete for an everyday diet. Plus, it contains no artificial preservatives and it has a resealable bag for freshness.
Pros: Contains a blend of textures for dental health, encourages foraging behavior, rich in antioxidants for immunity, probiotics for digestive health, no artificial preservatives
Cons: Not every bite is nutritionally complete, contains added color
#4 Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Gerbil & Hamster Food
If you want a high-quality hamster food that stays fresh, consider this Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Hamster & Gerbil Food. Not only is it nutritionally balanced, but it comes in a flip-top container for easy access and to keep the food fresher longer. This formula features a blend of nutritionally complete pellets with seeds, grains, and tasty bits for variety.
Rich in fiber and protein, this Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Hamster & Gerbil Food will satisfy your hamster’s urge to snack while keeping you satisfied that he’s getting the quality nutrition he needs. All in all, it is a great option for hamsters of all breeds. Simply pour some into a dish in your hamster’s cage and watch him go to town stuffing his cheeks!
Pros: Contains nutritionally balanced pellets, variety of tasty treats, flip-top lid keeps food fresh, rich in fiber and protein, encourages natural foraging behavior
Cons: Somewhat expensive, hamster can pick out pieces it wants, pieces are fairly large
#3 Sunseed Company Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Formula
While all hamsters have the same basic nutritional needs, for the most part, some hamsters are smaller than others and may need smaller pieces of food. This Sunseed Company Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Formula is particularly designed for dwarf hamsters in a high-diversity formula that will encourage natural foraging behavior.
This recipe features a wide variety of healthy ingredients including nuts, seeds, and pellets that are loaded with protein, healthy fats, and fiber. This formula is supplemented with DHA for brain development as well as healthy skin and coat, plus it contains probiotics to support your hamster’s digestion. It also contains added vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition for your hamster.
Pros: High-diversity formula, rich in DHA and other healthy fats, high in fiber and protein, supplemented with probiotics, high bioavailability, vitamins and minerals
Cons: Not every bite is nutritionally balanced, higher in grains than some recipes
#2 Oxbow Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food
For a nutritionally balanced everyday diet for your hamster, consider this Oxbow Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food. This pellet food is nutritionally complete so that every bite delivers premium quality nutrition for your hamster. It is specifically designed for hamsters, so you can rest easy that it will provide all the nutrients your furry friend needs with each and every bite.
This Oxbow Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food features added vitamins and minerals for nutritional balance without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Plus, it is free from sugary fruits, high-calorie nuts, and seeds that might make your hamster pick out the tasty bits and lose out on nutrition.
Pros: Every bite is nutritionally balanced, free from artificial additives, fortified with vitamins and minerals, nutritionally complete daily diet
Cons: Somewhat expensive, pieces may be too large for dwarf hamsters
#1 Kaytee FortiDiet Healthy Support Diet
If you’re looking for a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet for your hamster, try this Kaytee FortiDiet Healthy Support Diet. This formula features a blend of natural ingredients like corn, wheat, sunflower seed, millet, and other grains in a nutritionally fortified diet designed for daily feeding.
It is rich in natural antioxidants for a strong immune system, supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion, and high in amino acids for muscle growth and maintenance. Plus, it has plenty of healthy fats for soft skin and coat. Simply put, this Kaytee FortiDiet Healthy Support Diet provides all of the nutrients your hamster needs to live a long, healthy life and he’ll love eating it.
Pros: Nutritionally fortified daily diet, rich in antioxidants, probiotics for digestive healthy, healthy fats for skin and coat, promotes muscle growth and maintenance
Cons: Not every bite is nutritionally balanced, resealable strip my not work well
When you think of hamsters, what do you picture?
Do you think of a golden-haired rodent that fits in the palm of your hand or a tiny gray-and-white hamster running on a wheel at a feverish pace?
There are several different species of hamster that are popular as pets, though they all have similar requirements for care. Keep reading to learn more about the different species of pet hamster, what they eat, and how to choose a high-quality hamster food.
The Most Popular Species of Hamsters
All told, there are over 20 different species of hamsters, though not all of them are equally popular. The most common types of hamster kept as pets are listed here below:
Syrian – Also known as Teddy Bear or Golden hamsters, Syrian hamsters are the most popular species. They have golden coats and are very easy to handle. Syrian hamsters get along well with children but they don’t tend to do well with other hamsters.
Dwarf Campbell – A type of Russian hamster, the Dwarf Campbell is more social than the Syrian and can be kept in small groups or in same-sex pairs. This breed isn’t as amenable to handling but they do make good pets. Their natural color is gray-brown with a dark strip down the back.
Dwarf Winter White – Another type of Russian hamster, the Dwarf Winter White can be kept in same-sex pairs and they don’t tend to bite when nervous. These hamsters are sweet and personably but they are very quick so they can be hard to catch for handling.
Chinese Hamster – Also known as the Striped hamster, Chinese hamsters are not very social with other hamsters but they tend to do just fine with people. Chinese hamsters are similar in size to dwarf hamsters but their body type is long and slender, more similar to a mouse.
Roborovski Dwarf – A very social breed of hamster. Roborovski Dwarfs can be kept in small groups or same-sex pairs and they generally don’t nip or bite. This breed has a good temperament but since they are very small, handling them can be a challenge.
Most hamsters are relatively easy to care for and, when they receive the care and nutrition they need, they can live anywhere from 1 to 3 years, sometimes more. The key to a long life for your hamster is to keep him active – this is why it is so important to provide your hamster with an exercise wheel. There are many types to choose from, so consider the options when shopping for the best hamster wheel.
In addition to exercise, your hamster also needs a healthy diet. Keep reading to learn more about what hamsters eat so you can figure out how to choose the best hamster food.
What Do Hamsters Eat?
Hamsters are very active animals, so they require a great deal of exercise. For the most part, providing your hamster with a wheel and a cage large enough to explore is enough to meet those needs, but there are other considerations to make as well. For example, you also need to feed your hamster a healthy diet in order to sustain his energy level.
So, what exactly do hamsters eat? And what do you feed them?
Most hamsters will nibble on a wide variety of foods, but the best food for hamsters is some kind of seed mix. Wild hamsters eat a combination of seeds, grains, and grasses as well as some insects, fruits, and veggies. This means that hamsters are omnivores, so they need a varied diet.
When it comes to feeding your hamster, you might consider giving him some kind of blended hamster food. The problem with that, however, is that he’ll just pick out the pieces he wants which may not keep his diet balanced. Keep reading to receive more tips for picking the best hamster food.
Tips for Picking a Hamster Food
Knowing a little more about what your hamster eats is the first step toward buying the best hamster food but there is more you need to know. Keep these tips in mind when picking a hamster food:
Look for a product that is specifically designed for hamsters – different rodents have different nutritional needs, so don’t try to feed your hamster mouse or guinea pig food.
Consider buying hamster pellets versus a seed mix or go for a blend of both – pellets are nutritionally balanced so your hamster gets the right nutrients in the right amounts.
For seed mixes, look for a blend of ingredients like oats, maize, sunflower seeds, grass seed, dried fruit and veggies, pellets, and more.
Make sure whatever product you choose contains enough protein for your hamster – if you don’t, you’ll need to feed him supplemental protein.
Feel free to feed your hamster fresh fruits and veggies as treats in addition to providing him with a healthy and balanced hamster food. Here are some of the fruits and vegetables that are considered safe for hamsters to eat:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Kale
- Cherries
- Apples
- Sweet potato
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Mango
- Raspberries
- Bok Choy
- Celery
- Cantaloupe
You can also give your hamster a small piece of hardboiled egg for protein. When it comes to treats, however, you should only offer very small amounts no more than twice a day. Feeding your hamster too much at once may cause him to hoard his food and that can make his cage messy.
In addition to knowing that you can feed your hamster, you also need to know what NOT to feed him. Avoid apple seeds and skins as well as grape seeds and fruit pits. Don’t give your hamster almonds, peanuts, garlic, onions, eggplant, or chocolate. You should also avoid any sugary foods. Nuts are not toxic for hamsters, but they are high in calories and fat so they can contribute to obesity if you feed them too often or too much at once.
Now that you have a better understanding of what to feed your hamster, how much and how often do you need to feed him?
Most veterinarians recommend feeding hamsters about 10g of dry food twice a day. Keep in mind that not all hamsters have the same appetite, however, so you if yours doesn’t finish his meal every time you can start feeding him a little bit less. Just be careful of overfeeding your hamster because obesity is very dangerous for small animals.
In addition to knowing how much to feed your hamster, you should also think about when to feed him. Most hamsters are nocturnal which means that they are the most active at night. This being the case, you may want to feed your hamster at least one of his meals before you go to bed so he can eat when he wakes up. Most hamsters wake during the day to snack, however, so make sure he has food available during the day as well.
So, now you know everything you need to know about feeding your hamster to keep him healthy. All you have to do is put this information to work and start feeding your furry friend the best hamster food you can buy. Good luck!
