Hamsters are a member of the subfamily Cricetinae and are rodents. Hamsters are one of the easiest animals to care for and breed in captivity which is a main reason why hamsters are so popular among pet keepers.
Hamster Housing
There are many variations of terrariums and cages available at pet stores for Hamsters or other small rodents. Often you will find cages which have many add-on parts avaible to change the configuration of the cage or connect two together. This provides you with the ability to create a unique environment for your hamsters. A hamster wheel is a great additon to any terrarium and will ensure there is a way for your hamsters to exercise.
Hamsters have pouches in their cheeks which they use to store food. Typically hamsters will walk up to their food dish and collect a large amount of food in these pouches. They will then walk away to a place where they feel safe and empty the food from their pouches and begin to eat.
Fruits & Vegetables for Hamsters
Fruits and vegetables are excellent foods for hamsters in small amounts. Never try to make the majority of your hamsters diet out of fruits and/or vegetables. Hamster mix should always be the primary source of their nutrition.
When first starting to feed your hamster fruits introduce it very slowly into their diet. If you notice any change in their behaviour or if they appear to become sick stop feeding all fruits and vegetables. Once they have recovered completely you can begin to slowly introduce the fruits and vegetables back into their diet.
The following is only a partial list of the fruits and vegetables that can be fed to hamsters.
Alfafa
Banana
Broccoli
Carrots
Celery
Chestnuts
Cranberries
Cress
Grapes
Green Beans
Papaya
Strawberries
Sweetcorn
Sweet Peppers
Turnip
Watermelon
Hamster Mix
Just about any pet shop will have hamster mix which is specially designed for hamsters. Hamster mix is usually made up from a variety of crushed grains and seeds.
Do not feed your hamster any sort of mix designed for other animals. At the very least your hamster may not be as healthy as possible because it is not receiving the correct types and amounts of vitamins. Feeding your hamster the wrong type of food can also cause serious illnesses in your hamster.
Beware when changing the type of hamster mix you are feeding your hamster, especially if you have been feeding it the same one for a while. Hamsters are very sensitive to changes in their diet. The best way to change their food is to make it a gradual change by mixing the two together for a week or so.
Plants and flowers help to make up a good varied diet for your hamster.
If you do not know specifically that the plant you wish to feed your hamster is safe for it, leave it out of its diet! The list below gives some examples of plants that are safe for hamsters.
Chickweed
Clover
Cornflowers
Dock
Mallow
Roses
Trefoil
Vretch
Young Grass
Hamster Housing
There are many variations of terrariums and cages available at pet stores for Hamsters or other small rodents. Often you will find cages which have many add-on parts avaible to change the configuration of the cage or connect two together. This provides you with the ability to create a unique environment for your hamsters. A hamster wheel is a great additon to any terrarium and will ensure there is a way for your hamsters to exercise.
Hamsters have pouches in their cheeks which they use to store food. Typically hamsters will walk up to their food dish and collect a large amount of food in these pouches. They will then walk away to a place where they feel safe and empty the food from their pouches and begin to eat.
Fruits & Vegetables for Hamsters
Fruits and vegetables are excellent foods for hamsters in small amounts. Never try to make the majority of your hamsters diet out of fruits and/or vegetables. Hamster mix should always be the primary source of their nutrition.
When first starting to feed your hamster fruits introduce it very slowly into their diet. If you notice any change in their behaviour or if they appear to become sick stop feeding all fruits and vegetables. Once they have recovered completely you can begin to slowly introduce the fruits and vegetables back into their diet.
The following is only a partial list of the fruits and vegetables that can be fed to hamsters.
Alfafa
Banana
Broccoli
Carrots
Celery
Chestnuts
Cranberries
Cress
Grapes
Green Beans
Papaya
Strawberries
Sweetcorn
Sweet Peppers
Turnip
Watermelon
Hamster Mix
Just about any pet shop will have hamster mix which is specially designed for hamsters. Hamster mix is usually made up from a variety of crushed grains and seeds.
Do not feed your hamster any sort of mix designed for other animals. At the very least your hamster may not be as healthy as possible because it is not receiving the correct types and amounts of vitamins. Feeding your hamster the wrong type of food can also cause serious illnesses in your hamster.
Beware when changing the type of hamster mix you are feeding your hamster, especially if you have been feeding it the same one for a while. Hamsters are very sensitive to changes in their diet. The best way to change their food is to make it a gradual change by mixing the two together for a week or so.
Plants and flowers help to make up a good varied diet for your hamster.
If you do not know specifically that the plant you wish to feed your hamster is safe for it, leave it out of its diet! The list below gives some examples of plants that are safe for hamsters.
Chickweed
Clover
Cornflowers
Dock
Mallow
Roses
Trefoil
Vretch
Young Grass
