INFORMATION SHEET NO. 3 FEEDING

A hamster that is fed a well balanced diet is usually a healthy hamster. Having acquired a hamster it is up to you to feed it a diet that gives a little variety and keeps the hamster healthy. Ask, when you buy your hamster, what it has been fed on as although hamsters like a variety of foods, introducing too many new foods at one time can cause tummy upsets. ALWAYS introduce greens and any new foods gradually and in very small amounts if you are not sure what your hamster has been fed before you bought it.

The basic and major part of the diet should be a proprietary hamster mix. This will be a mixture of seeds, crushed oats, flaked maize, sunflower seeds, locust beans, peanuts etc. with some hard dry biscuit. All these are hard and good for the hamsters teeth. As a treat more hard dry biscuits can be given e.g. 'all in one' dry, cat rings or a small Bonio are enjoyed, again good for the teeth.

Hamsters are hoarders - they store their food behind or under their beds so greens and soft foods must only be given in moderation otherwise any uneaten will spoil.

As hamsters put their food into their cheek pouches 'sticky' and 'sharp' foods should be avoided. Chocolate (which can melt when pouched) and cornflakes (which can scratch the pouches) are two such foods.

GREENS:- carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, broad beans, peas, runner beans, apple, bean sprouts, sweet corn, cooked potato and cucumber can all be given in small quantities. A slice of apple or the core, OR a small floret of cauliflower, OR a small sprout, OR two broad beans would be enough at any one time. You will soon discover what your hamster enjoys and how much your hamster can eat without any tummy upset. A very special treat would be a raisin or sultana. These are greatly enjoyed as is lettuce but too much lettuce is not good for the hamster.

WILD GREENS . Hamsters really enjoy dandelions and groundsel but you have to be especially careful about these - picked by the roadside they could have been sprayed or covered with car fumes etc. so unless you can be certain that they are really SAFE to eat don't give them to your hamster. All greens should be fresh and washed.

To help your hamster grow strong bones and teeth some milky foods can be given. Some will enjoy milk on its own. others a little runny porridge. a few rice krispies with milk or even bread and milk all without sugar of course. A small spoonful is enough in a small dish which should be removed before the milk sours if uneaten. Our daily diet for one hamster consists of a dessert spoonful of runny porridge, a handful of dry food and whatever greens is on the menu.