Best Food For Syrian Hamster

Syrian hamsters are the sweetest breed of hamsters to own and the easiest to train. If you have one of these creatures at home, then you must be extremely curious about the best food suitable for Syrian hamsters.

In view of that, keep reading this article to know what you can give your hamster to eat.

Best Food For Syrian Hamsters

A Syrian hamster’s diet should naturally consist of a blend of protein, minerals, and fiber. Since they are omnivores who eat plant and animal food, they can get the bulk of their nutrients from a variety of vegetables, fruits, insects, and grains. 

With regard to this, these are the best foods you can feed your Syrian hamster.

Grains and Seeds

Hamsters can eat grains such as raisins and corn kernels as well as seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, flax, and sesame seeds. They provide protein, fibre, and vitamins to Syrian hamsters.

Nuts

Syrian hamsters love nuts. They even have a special pouch in their cheeks for storing small foods like this for later consumption. Nuts are rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and protein which makes them great for body and organ development. Nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and peanuts are excellent choices for Syrian hamsters. However, almonds are an exception because they contain properties that are toxic to hamsters.

Commercial Pellets

These are food mixes that are made specifically for hamsters. There is a variety of them in pet shops and most of them come in different flavors. According to animal experts at PDSA, it’s best to avoid hamster pellets that are made in a muesli-style mix. Hamsters tend to leave the parts that are high in fibre while going for the parts that are high in sugar and this can cause weight gain and problems related to their teeth.

Timothy Hay

This is a special type of hay that is highly rich in fibre. Syrian hamsters need this nutrient for their development and since timothy hay is one of the best foods for hamsters, it is a favorable choice. Plus, there aren’t many restrictions on the size of hay hamsters can eat since it benefits them.

Fruits and Vegetables

The majority of minerals and vitamins needed for the proper growth and development of hamsters can be gotten primarily from fruits and vegetables. But you only have to feed them in little quantities due to the high sugar and salt content in fruits and vegetables. 

For fruits, you can give your pet hamster; 

• Apples
• Peaches
• Pears
• Bananas
• Strawberries. 

On the other hand, you can feed your hamster vegetables like; 

• Cauliflower
• Carrot
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Cress
• Sweet pepper
• Cucumber 

However, you must draw the line at citrus fruits like lemon, orange, and grapefruit. They have a high acidic content that is bad for the digestive system of hamsters.

Insects and Bugs

Insects like earthworms, mealworms, caterpillars, and crickets are great sources of protein for hamsters. Therefore, they are one of the best meals for your pet.

Cooked Meat

If there’s ever a case where your Syrian hamster needs an occasional snack or a protein boost, then cooked meat is the best solution for that.

You should note that meat should never be served raw to hamsters. This is because they contain harmful bacteria like salmonella and campylobacter. Also, processed meat should never be given to these furry creatures due to their high salt levels.

Instead, you can cook the meat plainly without seasoning and serve it up in small bite-sized chunks. Meat like chicken, turkey, and beef is preferable.

Meat Products

Meat products like boiled eggs, sausages, and steak are good for hamsters. However, the ones with high salt content like pepperoni, salami, and bacon are harmful to them and so, must be avoided.

Conclusion

Syrian hamsters are quite a popular breed, and this means that you can easily get their food types from the back of your house or store. As a general rule of thumb, pet hamsters are expected to follow the dietary pattern of wild hamsters since their digestive system can only work with their natural diet.

So, ensure that you adhere to these feeding options to the tee and by doing that, your Syrian hamster will be healthy and strong.