Dwarf hamsters can – and should – eat a variety of different foods for their balanced diet. Unlike Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters are at a high risk of diabetes and need special diets to make sure their blood sugar level stays in check.
We’ll cover a list of everything a dwarf hamster can eat in this article.
Diabetes
Because dwarf hamsters are very prone to diabetes, they can’t handle the same foods as Syrian hamsters. Many commercially available kibble formulas have ingredients that can upset the delicate balance of your dwarf hamster’s blood sugar levels. Fruits, sweets and refined products shouldn’t be fed to these little guys.
Veggies and seeds
Vegetables are among the safest, healthiest treats to feed to dwarf hamsters in addition to a well-balanced kibble formula. As with humans, many colorful or dark-colored vegetables provide necessary nutrients and vitamins. Green leafy Romaine or other lettuces are ideal, as well as spinach leaves. Broccoli, cauliflower and kale are crunchy additions to his diet. Other examples of healthy vegetables include cucumbers, celery, red and green peppers, bok choy and sweet potatoes. Beans and legumes are also an acceptable treat. Nuts and seeds are OK, but feed sparingly, as they have high fat content.
Proteins
While it may come as a surprise, dwarf hamsters need their protein and will eat several different meat, fish and other proteins. Vegetarian options for protein include spirulina and seaweed, roasted soybeans, flaxseed and tofu. He’ll also benefit from boiled chicken, canned and drained tuna, boiled chicken or turkey, cooked egg whites with small amounts of egg yolk and unseasoned poultry baby food. Some dairy products are OK in small amounts, such as low-fat plain yogurt and unprocessed cheeses.
Grains
Whole grains are ideal as a snack and as an addition to a balanced meal. Cooked pastas, whole wheat toast and cooked whole-grain rices are ideal snacks as long as they are cooled completely. Whole-grain unsweetened cereals also provide a healthy snack while giving your dwarf hamster something crunchy to gnaw on.
Foods to avoid
Carrots, corn, fruit, white rice and white bread should be avoided because of the high sugar content. Sugars, including maltose, fructose or dextrose, should also be avoided for dwarf hamsters. Other foods to avoid are potatoes, raisins, sprouts, garlic and onions, because of the risk of toxicity.
A list of everything a dwarf hamster can eat
A good dwarf hamster food mix is an essential part of hamster care and it’s important to find a reliable brand that provides a healthy blend of foods.
Most foods on the market are formulated for a Syrian hamster. Try and find a product that has been created with dwarf hamsters at mind. A dwarf hamster mix will usually be healthier and less sugary than your standard Syrian mix.
You’re also going to want to provide your hamster with treats, fresh fruit and other hamster-safe foods (maybe even insects). This keeps meal time interesting and creates a balanced diet for your pet.
List of the best fruits for a dwarf hamster:
- Apple (no seeds)
- Banana
- Blackberry
- Blueberry
- Cantaloupe
- Coconut
- Cherry
- Grapes (seedless)
- Guava
- Honeydew
- Lychee
- Mango
- Melon
- Papaya
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
List of the best grains, seeds and nuts for a dwarf hamster:
- Barley
- Cashew
- Flaxseed
- Lentils
- Millet
- Oats
- Peanut
- Popcorn (unsalted)
- Pumpkin seed
- Sesame seed
- Soybeans
- Squash seeds
- Sunflower seed
- Walnut
List of the best vegetables for a dwarf hamster:
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Bean sprouts
- Bell pepper
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Choy sum
- Clover
- Cooked potato
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Green bean
- Kale
- Okra (a.k.a ladies’ fingers)
- Parsnips
- Peas
- Spinach
- Sweet potato
- Turnip
- Watercress
- Wheatgrass
Other hamster snack ideas:
- Brown rice
- Brown pasta
- Egg
- Plain tofu
Here’s a list of toxic and unhealthy hamster foods:
- Almonds
- Avocado
- Apple seeds
- Chocolate
- Watermelon
- Jam
- Onions
- Leeks
- Garlic
- Junk foods
- Rhubarb
- Pork
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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