Hamster Diet
Our Hamsters are feed on Wagg Hamster munch. They are given peanuts, sunflower seeds, Bonio puppy biscuits once a week and we also give them tiny amounts of veg every other day. Veg needs to be small for the Hamsters as it can cause an upset tummy so no bigger than a 5 pence peice.
Here is a list of foods that are safe for your Hamster to eat. Remember that sugar should be avoided with Campbell Dwarves as they are prone to diabetes so do not give them fruits, sweetcorn, peas, carrots or anything containing a lot of sugars. All new foods should be introduced slowly to avoid upsetting the Hamster's stomach and/or causing diarrhea. If you have picked up fruit/veg or wild plants then make sure it is from an area free from pesticides on or around it. Remember if in doubt, leave it out.
Fruits/vegetables/flowers
Banana (Can cause constipation)
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe.
Cherries
Cranberries
Apple (Seedless)
Grapes (Seedless)
Peaches (Remove the stones)
Plums (Remove the pits)
Lychee (Can be grown yourself in a large pot)
Mango
Melon
Raspberries
Raspberry Leaves (Helpful for diarrhea)
Strawberries
Asparagus
Bean Sprouts
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Cabbage (Once a week maximum)
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chestnuts
Chickweed
Chicory
Clover
Corn on the Cob
Cucumbers
Dandelion Leaves (Most love these)
Groundsel
Clover
Watercress
Endive
Green Beans
Broad Beans
Kale
Parsnips
Peas
Radicchio
Romaine Lettuce (Can cause diarrhea, so not more than once a week)
Spinach
Sprouts
Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet bell Peppers
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Water Chestnuts
Water Cress
Zucchini
Meats and Proteins
Cooked Ground Beef (Rinse well in hot water to remove any grease)
Cooked Chicken or Turkey (Steamed or baked)
Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Fish Cod (Cooked removing bones and skin)
Grasshoppers (Pet Shop)
Mealworms (Pet Shop)
Crickets (Pet Shop)
Bread (Whole grain no white bread) soaked in milk (Low Fat, Skimmed, Soya)
Eggs (Boiled or scrambled). Scrambled is a big hit amoungst most Hamsters
Plain Tofu
Plain Low Fat Yogurt
Dog Biscuits (No Garlic, onion, or onion powder) Bonio, puppy calcium biscuits are best.
Monkey Chow
Lab Blocks
Other foods
Buckwheat
Baby Food (Low sugar and no onion or garlic)
Cheese (Mild cheeses in moderation)
Cooked Plain Brown Rice
Cooked Pasta (A massive hit with most hamsters)
Dry toast(Also helpful for diarrhea)
Low Sugar Cereals
Nuts (No almonds)
Peanuts (Unsalted)
Sesame Seeds
Squash Seed
Flax Seed
Pumpkin Seeds (unsalted)
Lentils
Oatmeal (Dry or soaked in skimmed or lowfat milk)
Nutritional Yeast
Bran and Wheat Germ
Alfafa
Unsalted Popcorn (no butter)
Soybeans (Roasted no salt)
Foods To Avoid
Almonds (Contains Cyanic Acid)
Canned food
Chocolate
Chips
Junk food
Pork Products
Potatoes (Raw)
Raw Kidney Beans
Eggplant
Fool's Parsley
Avocado (Contains Cardiac Glycosides)
Raw Rhubarb
Oranges
Tangerines
Lemons
Limes
Other citrus fruits
watermelon
Peach Stone & Leaves
Tomato leaves
Apricot Stone
Cherry Stone
Apple seeds
Grape Seeds
Jams
Jellies
Spices
Garlic
Onions
Leeks
Scallions
Chives
Pickles
Poisonous foods
Buttercup
Bluebell
Bindweed
Ragwort
Elder
Hemlock
Speedwell
Privet
Hamster bedding
Our hamsters are bedded on wood shavings and given some tissue. The Hamsters enjoy shredding this up and making their beds.
For Hamsters bedding you can offer them shredded paper, tissue, cardboard or soft hay. DO NOT use fluffy bedding, this is not safe and can cause your Hamster to be very sick if they swollow too much. Hard hay is best avoided, just incase it damages their pouches.
Information on females
Hamsters come into heat every 4 days and the females tend to lick their sides to make themselves more appealing to males.
Hamster toys
Hamsters Love wheels
The normal shop bought ones are ok for smaller breeds of Hamster likes Dwarfs and Winter Whites, but are far too small for Syrians. A Rolly giant or Wodent wheel are more suited for the larger breeds.
Hamsters love to climb
Hamsters love boxes
Hamsters love hanging toys
Hamsters love toilet roll tubes
Hamster Illnesses
Tumours are very common in hamsters, they are usually a redish/purple lump which usually form on the legs or head. You can have them removed at your vets, but as with any operation there's always a risk of the Hamster not coming around. As Cassies tumour was getting larger we chose to have it removed. She coped very well and is so much more active after having the tumour removed.
