What to Know About Caring for Hamsters - Hamster Food

What to Know About Caring for Hamsters - Hamster Food What do hamsters eat? Part 1 - Grains and Seeds These animals live in deserts and other dry regions with little vegetation. What they do have to eat are mostly grains and seeds - those parts of the plant that dry out and remain standing even after the plant has died. As a result, in captivity, it is best to feed your hamster a good quality grain and seed mixture. Some brands that you can obtain are varieties made by Supreme Pet Foods; Native Earth by Harlan; Scarlett by Moyer & Son; Munch by Wagg Foods; Teklad Animal Diets; and products made by Kaytee, F.M. Brown, Oxbow, Higgins, Vitakraft Sunseed, and many more. What do hamsters eat? Part 2 - Not Every Kind of Animal is Equivalent. Hamsters have specific needs that are different from other animals. So if you have considered feeding your animal rabbit food or cat food - don't do it. Provide your hamster with food that is tailored specifically for hamsters. These creatures need more protein than other animals - at least 16%-19% of their total food intake. If they don't get enough protein, their hair can fall out. They also should not get too much fat. They can die early if their fat intake goes beyond 7%-9% of their total diet. Hamsters also need adequate amounts of Vitamin E, especially if they are going to have healthy pups. What Do Hamsters Eat? Part 3 - Supplements If you use a high quality grain mixture, then you should not have to give your hamster and additional vitamins. What you should do, however, is to supplement your pet's diet with fresh food. These animals love green vegetables. About three times a week, give them fresh leafy greens, or carrots, cabbage, or sprouts. Provide them with fruit and protein supplements on a less frequent basis. This would mean pieces of apple, cooked egg, or live mealworms or crickets. If you add live crickets to the cage, your hamster will be full of energy as it chases them around to capture them. What do Hamsters Eat? Part 4 - Some Cautions Don't feed hamsters anything that is acidic - such as citrus fruits, or items pickled in vinegar. Do not to feed them too much - they do have tiny stomachs. Pay attention to how much they eat, and, over time, you will be able to make adjustments to the quantities. If the food hasn't been consumed within an hour or two, remove it, because you don't want the food to start rotting. Iceberg lettuce and cucumbers aren't recommended as hamster food, because they have little nutrient value. Before you give your hamster any vegetables, be sure to wash them thoroughly. Since the hamsters are such tiny creatures, even trace amount of pesticides can kill your pet. Don't use seed mixtures if there is any evidence of rodent contamination. If you see that the food storage bag has been chewed through, or if there is any evidence that other rodents have gotten into your hamsters food, then do not use it. Mice and rats can carry diseases that would be transmitted to your hamster. Matthew Alexander Boreau is fond of animals. He writes about hamsters and birds. He also sells birdhouses [http://www.birdfeederbirdhouse.com/birdhouses/] and bird feeders [http://www.birdfeederbirdhouse.com/bird-feeders/] at All American Bird, a 100% Veteran owned business. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7448039