Hamster, like all pets, have their own very specific dietary needs that can only be met with the right high-quality food that is designed to meet these needs. However, with so much choice on the market, how do you know which one is right for your little furry friend? Our panel of pet experts and hamster lovers have produced this list of the best hamster foods to point you in the right direction.
The Best Hamster Food
1 Kaytee Fiesta Gourmet Gerbil & Hamster Food
- Brand: Kaytee
- First 5 ingredients: Corn, Oats, Wheat, Milo, Sunflower, Millet
- Primary Proteins: Sunflower, Peas
- Flavor: Medley
- Life Stage: All
Kaytee Fiesta Hamster Food provides the complete nutrition your hamster needs to stay strong and healthy. It includes an assortment of vegetables and fruits to provide enrichment and variety and is rich in natural antioxidants for immune support and general good health. The food mix is naturally preserved to lock in its freshness, while the different shapes and textures in the food support natural chewing activity and good dental health.
Corn, Oats, Wheat, Milo, Sunflower, Millet, Green Split Peas, Oat Groats, Shelled Peanuts, Ground Wheat, Ground Corn, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Pumpkin Seed, Barley, Raisins, Dehydrated Carrots, Dried Bananas, Safflower, Canadian Field Peas, Ground Flax Seed, Ground Oats, Dried Papaya, Ground Rice, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes, Dehydrated Apples, Rice Flour, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Soy Oil, Algae Meal (Source of Omega-3 DHA), Fructooligosaccharide, Cracked Corn, Hulled Millet, Dried Cane Molasses, Yeast Extract, Sesame Seed, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, L-Lysine, Dl-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Gelatin, Honey, Dextrose, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Artificial Color.
2 Oxbow Essentials Handfuls Gerbil & Hamster Food
- Brand: Oxbow
- First 5 ingredients: Timothy Meal, Pearled Barley, Oat Groats, Flax Seed Meal, Canola Meal
- Primary Proteins: Pearled Barley
- Flavor: Natural
- Life Stage: All
Animal Health Hamster and Gerbil Fortified Food by Oxbow is a complete feed that offers your hamster everything it needs to stay fit and healthy. Its optimally balanced nutrients help maintain digestive functions, healthy weight, proper nutrition, and dental health. Suitable for hamsters of all ages, except when pregnant or nursing, the food is free from high sugar fruits, nuts, seeds, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Timothy Meal, Pearled Barley (Rolled), Oat Groats, Flax Seed Meal, Canola Meal, Canola Oil, Wheat Gluten, Millet, Limestone, Flax Seed, Salt, Yeast Culture (Dehydrated), Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Selenium Yeast, Vitamin A Supplement, Folic Acid, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Manganese Proteinate, Biotin, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Magnesium Sulfate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Rosemary Extract.
3 Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Gerbil & Hamster Food
- Brand: Wild Harvest
- First 5 ingredients: Soybean Meal, Oat Groats, Soybean Hulls, Dried Peas, Milo
- Primary Proteins: Dried Peas, Peanuts
- Flavor: Grain Seeds Vegetable & Fruit
- Life Stage: All
Made with various highly nutritious ingredients, including grains, seeds, fruits and veggies, the Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Diet for Hamsters and Gerbils offers optimal and nicely balanced nutrition. Some of the ingredients you’ll find in this formula include oats, alfalfa meal, whole corn and millet, pumpkin seeds, banana chips, dehydrated apples and carrots, and many, many other tasty and healthy foods. The blend is also boosted with antioxidants and contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for skin and coat health.
Soybean Meal, Oat Groats, Soybean Hulls, Dried Peas, Milo, Heat-Processed Soybeans, Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Sunflower Seeds, Millet, Peanuts, Calcium Carbonate, Whole Corn, Raisins, Dried Cranberries, Pork Fat, Methionine, Lysine, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Tryptophane, Valine, Choline Chloride, Rice Hulls, Threonine, Wheat Germ Oil, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Propionate (Preservative), Folic Acid, Lignin Sulfonate, Silicon Dioxide, Urea Formaldehyde Condensation Polymer, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Mineral Oil, Calcium L-Ascorbyl 2-Monophosphate, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin D3 Supplement, FD&C Yellow #5, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Riboflavin, Sodium Selenite, FD&C Red #40, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Molybdate, FD&C Blue #1, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vegetable Oil, Thiamine Mononitrate, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract.
4 Sunseed Dwarf Hamster Formula
- Brand: Sunseed
- First 5 ingredients: Oats, Wheat, Heat-Processed Barley, Sorghum, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal
- Primary Proteins: Wheat, Flaked Peas
- Life Stage: All
If you have a dwarf hamster, then this is the food you need. Vitakraft Vita Prima Sunscription Dwarf Hamster formula is specially designed to meet the nutritional needs of dwarf hamsters throughout their lives. It offers a high-diversity diet that is fortified with Omega 3 Dhal and probiotics. The mix contains grains, seeds, and vegetables, as well as added vitamins and minerals to look after your hamster’s skin, coat, immune system, and digestion.
Oats, Wheat, Heat-Processed Barley, Sorghum, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, White Millet, Wheat Middlings, Steel-Cut Corn, Steam Rolled Oats, Flaked Peas, Soybean Hulls, Flaked Corn, Heat-Processed Soybeans, Ground Corn, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Sunflower Seeds, Rolled Wheat Flakes, Split Red Lentil Seeds, Calcium Carbonate, Dehydrated Carrots, Savoy Cabbage, Dehydrated Potato, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Ground Flax Seed, Ground Wheat, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Ground White Millet, Ground Barley, Ground Sorghum, Vegetable Oil, Brewers Rice, L-Lysine, Ground Oat Groats, Ground Buckwheat, Ground Spelt, Ground Rolled Oats, Wheat Germ Meal, Potassium Chloride, Ground Chia Seeds, Ground Quinoa Seeds, Apple Pomace, Choline Chloride, Ground Banana, Ground Papaya, DL-Methionine, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin A Supplement, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Carmine (color), Vitamin E Supplement, Fructooligosaccharide, Raspberry Powder, Strawberry Powder, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Yeast Culture, Pot Marigold, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Folic Acid, Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulfite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Ground Carrots, Ground Celery, Ground Beets, Ground Parsley, Ground Lettuce, Ground Watercress, Ground Spinach, Cobalt Sulfate, Citric Acid (a preservative), Ascorbic Acid (a preservative), Sodium Selenite, Rosemary Extract.
5 Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Gerbil & Hamster Food
- Brand: Kaytee
- First 5 ingredients: Corn, Ground Corn, Wheat, Sunflower Seed, Millet
- Primary Proteins: Wheat, Sunflower Seed
- Flavor: Original
- Life Stage: All
The Forti Diet Pro Health Hamster Food by Kaytee is designed to be a complete food for hamsters and gerbils. It is made from larger pieces than other Kaytee hamster foods to support dental health though encouraging your hamster’s natural chewing activity. The formula includes prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health and is naturally preserved to lock in the food’s freshness and goodness.
Corn, Ground Corn, Wheat, Sunflower Seed, Millet, Milo, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Oat Groats, Ground Wheat, Ground Oat Hulls, Shelled Peanuts, Dried Field Peas, Ground Oats, Green Split Peas, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Wheat Middlings, Salt, Dried Cane Molasses, Ground Rice, Soybean Oil, Ground Flax Seed (Source of Omega-3), Coconut Oil, Dl-Methionine, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Fructooligosaccharide, L-Lysine, Tetra Sodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Sodium Bentonite, Yeast Extract, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (a Preservative), Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract (Source of Protease), Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1,FD&C Red #40, FD&C Red #3.
6 Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Food
- Brand: Tiny Friends Farm
- First 5 ingredients: Ground Wheat, Toasted Wheat, Flaked Peas, Soybean Meal, Whole Corn
- Primary Proteins: Toasted Wheat, Flaked Peas, Soybean Meal
- Flavor: Tasty Mix
- Life Stage: All
The Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix is designed to be a nutritionally balanced food for all breeds of hamsters. The mix of food bits, shapes and sizes is created to encourage foraging, while providing the vitamins and minerals your little furry friend needs. The mix contains soya, sunflower seeds and whole peanuts, but no added sugar.
Ground Wheat, Toasted Wheat, Flaked Peas, Soybean Meal, Whole Corn, Flaked Whole Corn, Sunflower Seeds, Flaked Soybeans, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Peanut Kernels, Soybean Oil, Peanuts In Shells, Pumpkin Seeds, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Middlings, Extruded Locust Beans, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin A Supplement, Cholecalciferol (Source Of Vitamin D3), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Choline Chloride, Niacin Supplement, Manganese Oxide, D‐Calcium Pantothenate, Iron Sulfate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement (Source Of Vitamin B2), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Color Added Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1.
7 Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Gerbil & Hamster Food
- Brand: Higgins
- First 5 ingredients: White Millet, Oats, Wheat, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Hay, Soybean Hulls
- Primary Proteins: Wheat
- Flavor: Assorted Fruits & Veggies
- Life Stage: All
If you have a variety of small furry friends, then this mix is ideal as it is suitable for hamsters and Gerbils. The food by Higgins is created with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives to meet the nutrition needs of small animals such as hamsters. The recipe includes probiotics and DHA Omega 3 to support both the digestive system and your hamster’s immune system. All the ingredients are air washed to reduce dust and the mix includes grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, and mixed fruits, ensuring your hamster will never get bored of their food.
White Millet, Oats, Wheat, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Hay, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Middlings, Corn, Red Milo, Sunflower Seeds, Flaked Peas, Flaked Beans, Peanuts, Yellow Peas, Flaked Carrots, Flaked Corn, Pumpkin Seeds, Coconut, Raisins, Apples, Cashews, Papaya, Pineapple, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Soybean Meal, Cane Molasses, Vegetable Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Color Added (Algae Meal), DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Dried Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
8 eCOTRITION Yogies Cheese Flavor Hamsters
- Brand: eCOTRITION
- First 5 ingredients: Sugar, Palm Kernel And Palm Oil, Dried Whey, Dextrose, Dried Yogurt
- Flavor: Cheese
- Life Stage: All
Even small mammals need treats from time to time and these Yogies from eCOTRITION are perfect for this. Suitable for most small animals including hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats they are a tasty cheese flavored snack that is made with real yogurt. The treats contain sources of real and artificial cheese flavor and are not designed as a substitute to your hamster’s normal complete food.
Sugar, Palm Kernel And Palm Oil, Dried Whey, Dextrose, Dried Yogurt (Cultured Whey Protein Concentrate, Cultured Skim Milk and Yogurt Culture), Soy Lecithin, Natural Artificial Fruit Flavor, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Red Lake 40). May Contain Trace Amounts Of Peanuts.
9 Vitakraft MENU Hamster Food
- Brand: Vitakraft
- First 5 ingredients: Milo, Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls
- Primary Proteins: Wheat
- Life Stage: All
Tasty, healthy, yet budget-friendly, the Vitasmart Hamster Food by Vitakraft is always a good choice. With a diverse mix of ingredients, including various grains, seeds and few legumes, fruits and veggies, this formula meets the dietary needs of hamsters, plus tastes great – a huge plus for picky pets. Of course, the blend is also supplemented with vitamins and minerals and contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, for both good brain health and a nice coat.
Milo, Wheat, Wheat Middlings, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Whole Corn, Steel-Cut Corn, Ground Corn, Split Green Peas, Oats, Steam-Rolled Oats, Flaked Peas, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Flaked Corn, Flaked Soybeans, Sunflower Seed, Carob Beans, Corn Gluten Meal, Shelled Peanuts, Wheat Flakes, Puffed Wheat, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Ground Flax Seed, Ground Wheat, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Salt, Algae Meal, Dehydrated Carrots, L-Lysine, Vegetable Oil, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Oxide, Choline Chloride, Vitamin A Supplement, Yeast Culture, DL-Methionine, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Torula Dried Yeast, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Fructooligosaccharide, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Color Added (Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue1).
10 Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat, Hamster Food
- Brand: Kaytee
- First 5 ingredients: Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Suncured Alfalfa Meal
- Primary Proteins: Ground Peanuts
- Flavor: Original
- Life Stage: All
Simple but nutritious, the Kaytee’s FortiDiet ProHealth is specifically designed to provide proper nutrition for hamsters, mice and rats. Besides the usual ingredients you see in hamster formulas, such as whole grains and seeds, this formula is also supplemented with various vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics and prebiotics for healthy digestion. Since the pellets are quite big and crunchy, they’re also good for tooth and gum health. Importantly, the food is naturally preserved and remains fresh for quite a long while.
Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Ground Peanuts, Ground Flax Seed (Source of Omega-3), Dried Cane Molasses, Dextrose, Lignin Sulfonate, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Soybean Oil, Dried Molasses Beet Pulp, Brewers Dried Yeast, Fructooligosaccharide, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Yeast Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Copper Sulfate, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Natural Flavor.
Best Hamster Food Buying Guide
Things to Consider When Buying Hamster Food
The nutritional needs of hamsters differ to those of larger mammals, so it is important that the food you buy reflects their specific needs. Of course, your hamsters specific preferences play a role in the food you buy, but some other key considerations include:
- Nutritional value
When choosing a food for your hamster you want one that provides the complete nutrition that they need. Most experts agree that the average hamster needs a food mix that has around 15% protein, and between 3- 6% fat. These percentages should be slightly higher for pregnant, nursing, and baby hamsters. Hamsters also burn through carbohydrates quickly, so food needs to be high in complex carbohydrates from natural vegetable and grain sources.
- Salt
Hamsters need salt to help them retain water and stay healthy. In the wild they lick minerals and rocks containing salt. If the food that you choose does not have salt in it consider adding a salt lick to your hamster enclosure.
- Sugar
Hamsters do not need sugar in their diets, at least not in excessive amounts, avoid foods with added sugars, including molasses. Some foods contain dried fruits, which are also sources of sugar, be aware of the amount of fruit in the mix and maybe alternate with another similar but fruitless mix if the concentration is quite high.
- Dental health
Hamsters need to chew to keep their teeth at the right length and their jaws healthy. If the food is soft it is not going to work the teeth and jaws as needed. If your hamster prefers this type of food, then add plenty of safe chewing opportunities to their enclosure.
Seed Hamster Food vs. Pelleted Hamster Food
Good quality pelleted hamster food meets your hamster’s nutritional needs just as well as the same quality seed hamster food. In terms of nutritional requirements, it is quality that is the most important element. However, where pelleted foods can fall down is in that they do not provide any variety. All the food in their bowl looks, tastes, and feels the same. This does not encourage foraging and may lead to your hamster becoming bored with their food. Seed hamster food does provide variety and encourages foraging, but if you have hamsters with specific dietary requirements or health problems then certain mixes may not be suitable. As with many things as long as you get the quality right you can be led by your hamster’s preferences and even offer a mix of both. Just remember not to drastically change your hamsters diet to quickly or too often as this can cause health issues.
How Much Should You Feed Your Hamster?
One of the difficulties with knowing how much to feed a hamster is distinguishing between what they actually eat and how much they put into storage. Hamster avidly store food and the balance between eating and storing differs depending on the breed of hamster in question.
Experts state that on average hamsters only eat between one and two tablespoons of food in a period of 24 hours. Any other food that is gone from their bowls is likely to have been stashed away for later. It is a survival instinct that hamster have developed to help them survive in the wild during lean times. In captivity you are unlikely to find these stashes until you clean out their enclosures. While you should provide a little additional food to support the natural behavior it is important that old food is removed regularly as it will attract mold and bugs.
By following the tips in our buying guide and choosing one of our best hamster foods, you can increase the likelihood of having a healthy and happy hamster for a long time to come.
Sources:
- How to Care For a Hamster, HowStuffWorks
- Geoff Williams, Hamster Care 101: How to Care For Your Hamster, PetMD
Related Posts
