Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

fitriyusof · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: kajang

hello everybodies.
this is a question for all hamsters` owners.
hamsters is omnivores right? so, what should i give to them as their diet? can i give insects such crickets? tq for your advice anyway :)

JackLene · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 16

Yea I guess they are omnivores but I have never fed my hamsters insects before. I only gave them hamster pellets and a slice of cucumber every now and then. You could always do a search online or consult a vet on your hamster's diet.

Psittcine · Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Apart from a few food items that u must NEVER give them . . . almost everything else can be given.

I just buy hamster-feed, its not expensive, plus saves a lot of time trying to figure out his proper-diet. He loves it.

Things you must NOT give them: Too much green veggies. Tomatoes (some websites say its harmful) Anything with sugar (Some types of hamsters are prone to diabetes) , fats, oil (which is why sunflower seeds must be fed to the minimum, just 1-2 a day, as treats only)

Almonds are a big no-no, I "think" its cz they contain cyanic-acid thats harmful to them. Also never any chocolate, coffee. There are a few more items on the harmful list, will add when I recall them. Also, NEVER give them Citrus Fruits such as oranges etc.

Also, give your Dwarfs just a tea-spoon of hamster-feed a day. They can easily get obese, and any extra will just result in them stuffing thier cheeks (I kno, they look so cute doing that dont they?) and hiding it around the cage, and then it will spoil .

Apart from all that, they love nuts and seeds. Also almost all kinds of grains, fruits (not Citrus fruits though), breads, etc

As for Protiens: If ur feeding them a hamster-feed from the store, I get the mixed kind, they'll get thier share of protien from the pellets in there. And u dont need to worry. If however u dont have the mix-diet, then theres no harm in giving them a little bit of boiled egg and boiled chicken in SMALL quantities. Sometimes. . . .

I dont think you need to go for crickets or anything like that. . . most experienced hamster-owners dont really do that (nor do websites tell us that)