How to feed a hamster at home

How to feed a hamster at home? Hm. It’s easier said than not to feed. Because these rodents eat everything. But this does not mean that the owners should carelessly throw any product into the cage. Some food is deadly, but the animal eats it anyway. Well, we will discuss it comprehensively.

General rules

“A day, one adult hamster can be given no more than 2 tbsp. l stern". Who came up with this phrase? Rodent food should always be. Maybe he will eat just a teaspoon. But, if there are few products in the feeder, then he will begin to stockpile instead of a normal diet. Moreover, without completely disassembling, this is a seed or raw carrot. Then all this good begins to rot, mold and stink. Do you need it?

Do not be greedy, put the hamster more food. He will understand that you don’t need to worry about the future, and he eats no more than what is supposed to be.

"Sometimes a hamster can be pampered with sausage or sausages." What nonsense. The current sausage contains so many “useful” substances that Mendeleev with his table would cry with envy. And then feed the poor animal!

No sausages, smoked meats and fish! Just one bite can kill your rodent.

"Boil the hamster porridge in milk, adding a little sugar and salt for taste." More like a recommendation on how to kill an animal. Because:

1. Hamsters should not be given milk! By the way, cheese is also undesirable. You can once a week a small piece of fresh cottage cheese, and it is better to replace it with boiled chicken protein.
2. Sugar and salt are strictly prohibited! This is deadly. And a tiny dose is enough.
3. Groats are given to hamsters only in raw form. Boiled foods can cause constipation and gas.

One gets the impression that such unfortunate advisers generally write from the bulldozer and the hamster has never been seen even in the picture.

“To grind your teeth, put pine or spruce branches in a cage.” In principle, hamsters need wood. But not coniferous. Let it be twigs of any hardwood. Be sure to wash them, and if possible clean them from the bark.

“Hamsters are steppe animals and can do without water for a long time.” Another heresy. Only camels can go without water for a long time. And hamsters need it. Therefore, there should always be liquid in the drinker.

By the way, you may not observe how much the rodent drinks. You may think that the fluid does not decrease. But then he is a hamster, not a camel, to drink just a little bit. Do not hesitate, he does it regularly.

“If there was no special food on sale, then purchase for any other rodents.” No, it's just some kind of mockery! I would also be advised to buy cat or dog food. To be sure.

Do not hesitate, the hamster eats anyone, but then do not be surprised at the sudden death or illness of the animal. It’s better not to buy anything at all than to do such experiments.

"Sometimes give your rodent a slice of pineapple or avocado." What nonsense! Where did such exotic fruits come from in the steppe? In general, if you are in doubt whether it is possible to give a pet some product, then just turn on the logic. In the natural environment, this occurs - so boldly offer the hamster. This does not grow in the steppe zone - so give up the venture.

For example, bread, cookies, crackers. No doubt, most rodents love these foods. But bread doesn’t grow on trees. Accordingly, the hamster is not recommended to give such a treat, even sometimes.

Or almonds. Well, like nuts, can they be something for rodents? But no. Almonds are not a nut, but a kernel from a seed. Everyone knows that hydrocyanic acid is a poison. And that it is contained in the kernels of almost all stone fruits: apricots, almonds, plums, cherries.From such a treat your hamster will quickly reach its paws. And yes, these trees do not grow in the steppe.

How to make a diet for a hamster yourself

Actually it is very simple. For full development, the daily menu should include cereals and cereals, succulent and animal feed, vitamin supplements. All food must be fresh and clean. So, how to feed a hamster?

Cereal feed. Oats, wheat, corn, rice (a little), barley. Nuts (in small quantities), sunflower seeds, melons, watermelon, pumpkins. Buckwheat, sesame, millet, and oats. But bean is better not to get involved. The digestive system of a hamster can react to them very unexpectedly.

Juicy feed. For the most part, this is fresh grass (dandelions, carrot and beet tops, clover, plantain, meadow plants). You can also give slices of carrots, apples, pumpkins, zucchini. Beets, bell peppers, tomatoes - this is also given raw. But giving potatoes is not recommended, even boiled.

By the way, dried fruits and vegetables are suitable as a treat. Just not candied fruit! And do not abuse, give them occasionally and a little. The same rule applies to fresh berries (currants, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries).

Animal feed. Not everyone knows, but hamsters gladly eat locusts, grasshoppers, grubbers, worms, ants. Just do not catch insects yourself. You never know what nasty things they can bring on the paws. It is better to buy them in a special department of the pet store. It will turn out safe and inexpensive, especially since such a diet is required very little.

Vitamin supplements. You can’t throw a piece of chalk into the cage and think that this is enough. Minerals should be pretty hamster to the fullest. And, no matter how varied the menu is, there will always be something missing.

How to get out of the situation if you do not buy expensive food with special additives? Go to the pet store. Buy a mineral pill or stone. By the way, their prices are quite affordable. With one shot, immediately solve two problems:

• the hamster will receive all the vitamins and minerals
• the animal will have to grind long teeth

As you can see, everything is solved quite easily. Just do not drag any cobblestone from the street! There are no nutrients in it. Your hamster will not be interested in a hamster.

What else to treat your pet

Hay. The most common meadow, your area. Just cut it into pieces of about 11-14 cm. So the hamster will not be able to get entangled in it and will not cram completely behind the cheeks, risking scratching his mouth.

Jerusalem artichoke, radish, squash, green peas in pods. Green salad, sprouted grains of wheat along with sprouts, dill, parsley.

To avoid a lack of protein, you can give a piece of cooked chicken meat without spices and once a week. Perfectly replaced with peeled boiled shrimp. Again without fanaticism.

Dried apricots and raisins can be given, but occasionally. The fact is that these products contain a large amount of sugar, so if you abuse them, the hamster may begin to become obese.

And further. All nuts must be unshell, otherwise the hamster will hurt his cheeks. By the way, acorns and bumps, as some sources recommend, cannot be given to rodents. Their teeth are perfectly ground, but there is no use at all. For the same reason, hamsters do not give pasta in any form.

How to feed a hamster at home? A balanced diet. Just do not buy cheap ready-made feed. They still can not provide a complete diet. It is much easier to create a rodent menu yourself. It’s not difficult, and how much does your hamster need there?

Video: eating hamsters properly