Core Diet – Providing your hamster with a balanced diet is part of keeping them healthy and happy. The ideal diet for a hamster consists of 18-22% protein, 4-7% fat, and 8-15% fiber. Unfortunately, commercially available seed mixes do not supply your hamster with enough protein. Lab blocks on the other hand contain sufficient protein levels, as well as all of the nutrients and vitamins a hamster needs. Additionally, lab blocks are consistent, which means that each block contains the same amount of nutrients. This also discourages selective eating, and prevents teeth from overgrowing. A healthy hamster diet includes:
Lab Blocks – These should be available to your hamster at all times.
Seed Mix – ALWAYS supplement a lab block diet with high quality seed mix. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons around the cage 3-4 times a week. This encourages natural foraging, as well as mental stimulation.
Fresh Food – Offer fresh food in small amounts to prevent mold if your hamster hoards it. Discard uneaten fresh food after 8 hours. See safe food list for ideas.
Tips:
Hamsters will always stash some, or all of the lab blocks provided. Make a habit of keeping track of your hamster’s stash during spot cleaning.
By keeping an eye on your hamster’s weight weekly, you can ensure that they are healthy, as a healthy hamster will not lose or gain weight if fed properly.
It is never recommended to reduce the amount of food provided for your hamster, but to instead alter the lab block/seed mix/fresh food ratios accordingly.
To the right is a list of safe foods for hamsters to feed on occasion.
Feeding Routine – Hamsters should always have access to food in their enclosure. They thrive on a high quality lab block diet, supplemented with a diverse seed mix of 1-2 tablespoons sprinkled around the cage 3-4 times a week. Sprinkling the seed mix encourages natural foraging, as well as mental stimulation. Hamsters benefit significantly from a varied diet, so offer fresh food in small amounts to prevent mold if your hamster hoards it. Discard uneaten fresh food after 8 hours. See safe food list for ideas.
The following routine is only a suggestion, as not all hamsters have the same dietary needs. Feel free to accommodate this recommended routine accordingly for your hamster:
Lab blocks: Weekly – 1 cup / 170 grams
Seed mix: 3-4 times per week – 1-2 tablespoons
Veggies, fruits, protein: Daily – About a ½ teaspoon sized amount
