DIY Organic Hamster Food Recipe and Hamster Diet Tips
I write on many subjects in addition to pet hamster care and wellness.
DIY organic hamster food recipe and guide to feeding your hamster
Homemade Organic Hamster Food Recipe and Hamster Diet Guide
When I first started keeping hamsters over 40 years ago, not much was known about them. Over the years, I've learned a lot about hamsters and their diets, so I'm sharing that information with you so that you can avoid having to do your own extensive research on hamster diets and have more time to spend with your beloved furry friend. You want your hamster to be friendly and happy, and their diet is an important part of achieving that.
Hamsters are omnivores. This means that they will eat both plant matter and animal protein. I have always tried to keep my hamsters on a natural diet. I do use commercial hamster food, but I read labels carefully to make sure I know exactly what I am feeding my hamsters.
Feeding your hamster crickets, mealworms, and hard-boiled eggs on an occasional basis is very good for your hamster—just don't do it more than once or twice a week. You should also be sure to feed your hamster seeds, grains, vegetables, and fruits, but be sure to read this whole article to find out exactly what you should and should not feed to your hamster.
In this article, you'll find the following:
- DIY organic hamster food recipe
- A little about a hamster's diet
- Organic foods to feed your hamster
- Tips for feeding your hamster
- What to avoid when feeding your hamster
What you feed your hamster is very important!
DIY Organic Hamster Food Recipe
If you're looking for a recipe for organic hamster food, then here it is. Be sure to use seeds that are uncooked, natural, untreated, and for consumption by humans or pets.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole kernel corn
- 1 cup millet
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup flax seeds
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
Instructions
Mix all your ingredients up together and store them in a tightly covered container in a cool dark place. Give your hamster a tablespoon of this food once a day and supplement it with fresh fruits and veggies about every two to three days.
A Little About a Hamster's Diet
In the wild, hamsters eat seeds, insects, grasses, and leaves; they don't eat food or pellets out of a box.
Organic food is grown without the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or other preservatives. Below is a list of organic foods you can feed to your hamster. Many pet owners believe that an all-organic diet is ideal; however, it's further scientific research is needed to determine whether feeding your pet an organic diet can actually lead to a longer lifespan.
Organic Foods to Feed Your Hamster
Hard-boiled eggs | Zucchini | Sunflower seeds |
Yogurt | Yams | Strawberries |
Cottage cheese | Celery | Bananas |
Pears | Raspberries | Peaches |
Meal worms | Mango | Dandelion greens |
Crickets | Celery | Corn |
Cashews (unsalted) | Cantaloupe | Apples* |
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Remember to peel any fruits or veggies as needed before feeding them to your hamster.
Tips for Feeding Your Hamster
Any fruit or vegetable that can be needs to be peeled. Wash anything else very well under cold running water. Offer only a small portion of each item to the hamster. You can make up an organic mix of food items from the above list and offer it to your hamster in its food bowl.
The piece of any fruit or vegetable should be a very small piece. You are feeding a small animal with a small stomach. You want a healthy hamster, not an overweight hamster that is likely to develop diabetes or heart disease. So exercise caution and avoid overfeeding your hamster.
Keep an Eye Out for Hidden Food
Remove anything not eaten within 24 hours. This includes what your hamster has hidden. Yes, your hamster will quite often pack its jaws and hide the food in its cage. Until your hamster learns that it doesn't need to, it will pack all the items you place in the food dish into its jaw pouches and hide the food items in the cage. You need to hunt that hidden food down and remove it from the cage.
If your hamster is packing its jaws, it is taking that food and hiding it in its nest or other places in the cage. You must remove this food in at least the next 24 hours because it can become moldy or stale or spoil before the hamster ever has a chance to eat it, and it can make your hamster sick.
Wood chew sticks and mineral block: Remember that your hamster must have wood chew sticks and a mineral block in its cage to help keep its incisor teeth worn down so they will not overgrow its mouth. If you think your hamster's teeth are getting too long, it needs a visit to the vet.
Crickets and mealworms: Don't give more than 3–5 crickets or 3–4 mealworms at a time. Some hamsters love crickets and mealworms; other hamsters refuse to touch them. You'll have to watch your hamster to see if it will take mealworms or crickets.
Other treats: You can also give your hamster small dog biscuits and small sections of branches from fruit-bearing trees. Rats and mice also like these treats.
You should never feed your hamster the following foods.
What to Avoid When Feeding Your Hamster
Here is a complete list of foods that you should never feed your hamster if you want it to be healthy and happy and live a long life. I know some of the items on this list are fed to hamsters, but overconsumption of these foods can cause them to become ill or even die.
10 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Hamster
- Apple seeds
- Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Citrus fruit of any type
- Beans (either cooked or dry)
- Onions
- Pickles
- Rhubarb
- Junk food of any kind
- Sharp and sticky foods: Do not ever feed any sharp or sticky food as hamsters have jaw pouches where they carry their food, and this can and often does damage or seriously injure your hamster. Sharp objects can tear the linings of your hamster's cheeks can seriously injure your hamster. So be sure to never give your hamster sharp objects that can cause injury.
Enjoy Your Healthy and Happy Hamster!
Remember to always check around your hamster's cage to remove any food they stored and hidden away. Don't let this food stay in the hamster's cage until it becomes stale or moldy.
If you follow the hamster diet tips in this article, you'll have a healthy and happy hamster. Be very sure you never give your hamster any food or chew items that have been treated with chemicals or pesticides. Always make sure your hamster has fresh food and water daily.
I appreciate you reading this article. I hope you find the information helpful, and I hope it helps you to have a healthy and happy hamster.
Further Reading
- How Much Does a Hamster Need to Eat?
Hamsters typically eat 1–2 tablespoons of food every 24 hours, and they always hoard some of their food for later. Amazingly, they can carry the equivalent of their own bodyweight in their cheeks! - How to Care for Pet Hamsters: Behavior, Diet, and Housing
Here are a few tips and guidelines for hamster owners. Learn about their temperament, diet, housing, and behaviors.
Please Feel Free To Post Your Comments, Tips, Suggestions, Or Questions Now. Thanks For Reading.
cayden on February 03, 2020:
very helpful btw im getting a hamster this weekend
Indian Chef from New Delhi India on May 01, 2013:
Very detailed hub. I do not have any pet right now and if I ever pet a Hamster then surely I would keep things in mind what you said. voting up
