The 7 Best Hamster Foods
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
Hamsters are a fairly low-maintenance pet which makes them great for beginners. Like any pet, however, they require a certain degree of care which includes a safe environment and a healthy diet.
In this article, we’ll talk about tips for feeding hamsters and provide some insight into choosing the right hamster food. We’ll also show you our top 7 picks for the best hamster food in different categories.
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Hamster Foods
|
Best For Syrian Hamsters
3. Kaytee Fiesta Gourmet Variety Diet Gerbil & Hamster Food |
Best For Dwarf Hamsters
4. Oxbow Essentials Healthy Handfuls Gerbil & Hamster Food |
Best Hamster For Roborovski Hamsters
5. Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Formula |
||||
|
Type
Seed mix |
Type
Seed mix |
Type
Seed mix |
Type
Pellet |
Type
Seed mix |
Type
Dried Fruits, Dried Veggies |
Type
Dried Fruits, Dried Veggies |
|
Amount
3 pounds |
Amount
2 pounds |
Amount
3 pounds |
Amount
2 pounds |
Amount
2 pounds |
Amount
2.5 pounds |
Amount
2.5 pounds |
|
Key Ingredients
Wheat, oats, corn |
Key Ingredients
Seeds, nuts, grains |
Key Ingredients
Corn, oats, wheat |
Key Ingredients
Timothy hay, oats barley |
Key Ingredients
Barley, oats, corn |
Key Ingredients
White Millet, Wheat |
Key Ingredients
White Millet, Wheat |
What To Look For In Hamster Food?
Your hamster relies entirely on your care. It is your responsibility to provide your hamster with a safe, secure environment that provides plenty of enrichment and opportunities for exercise. It is also your job to provide your hamster with a healthy and balanced diet.
Here are some important things to look for in hamster food:
- Natural ingredients. The best ingredients to look for in hamster food are natural ingredients like seeds, grains, and cereals. Avoid anything that contains too many chemicals.
- Complete and balanced. Some hamster foods are intended for supplemental feeding only, so make sure to read the package to determine whether the food will provide for all of your hamster’s nutritional needs or not.
- No artificial additives. Things like artificial colors and sweeteners provide no nutritional benefit, so look for a hamster food that contains none of these additives.
- High in energy. Hamsters burn through calories very quickly, so look for a hamster food that is calorie-dense to support your hamster’s fast metabolism.
Now that you have a better idea what to look for in hamster food, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best food for hamsters.
Our Top Picks For The Best Hamster Foods
Overall Best
1.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Gerbil & Hamster Food
Product Info
- Type: Seed mix
- Amount: 3 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Wheat, oats, corn
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 13.5%
Crude Fat: 6%
Crude Fiber: 12%
Moisture: 12%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 15.34%
Fat: 6.82%
Fiber: 13.64%
Carbs: 64.2%
Pros
- Made with a wide variety of natural ingredients
- Contains crunchy pieces for dental health
- Supplemented with prebiotics and probiotics
Cons
- Some hamsters may only pick out the things they like
- Not balanced in every bite like pellets are
Your hamster deserves the best and this Kaytee FortiDiet Pro Health Hamster Food is a great option. It is made with a wide variety of natural ingredients to appeal to your hamster’s tastes, including whole grains and seeds.
It is fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition, with prebiotics and probiotics for healthy and regular digestion.
It also contains crunchy pieces to support your hamster’s dental health. Overall, your hamster is sure to love it and you’ll love the quality nutrition and affordable price tag.
It is fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition, with prebiotics and probiotics for healthy and regular digestion.
It also contains crunchy pieces to support your hamster’s dental health. Overall, your hamster is sure to love it and you’ll love the quality nutrition and affordable price tag.
Best For Budget
2.
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix
Product Info
- Type: Seed mix
- Amount: 2 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Seeds, nuts, grains
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 16%
Crude Fat: 4%
Crude Fiber: 8%
Moisture: 11%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 17.98%
Fat: 4.49%
Fiber: 8.99%
Carbs: 68.54%
Pros
- Contains a diverse blend of different ingredients
- Promotes natural foraging behavior
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
Cons
- Some hamsters will only pick out the pieces they like
- Not complete and balanced in every bite
Hamster food generally isn’t very expensive, but if you’re looking for a product that offers exceptional value try this Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix. Not only is it highly affordable, but it is made with a diverse blend of ingredients hamsters love.
This food promotes your hamster’s natural foraging behavior which increases its enrichment.
It is also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to ensure that your hamster’s nutritional needs are being met.
This food promotes your hamster’s natural foraging behavior which increases its enrichment.
It is also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to ensure that your hamster’s nutritional needs are being met.
Best For Syrian Hamsters
3.
Kaytee Fiesta Gourmet Variety Diet Gerbil & Hamster Food
Product Info
- Type: Seed mix
- Amount: 3 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Corn, oats, wheat
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 13.5%
Crude Fat: 6%
Crude Fiber: 10%
Moisture: 12%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 15.34%
Fat: 6.82%
Fiber: 11.36%
Carbs: 66.48%
Pros
- Made with a variety of ingredients
- Enriched with vitamins and minerals
- Highly affordable for a staple diet for Syrian hamsters
Cons
- Contains some dried fruit and sweetener
- Some hamsters may only pick out what they like
Syrian hamsters are a fairly large species but their nutritional needs are not significantly different from other hamsters. These hamsters need a dry food diet to keep their digestion regular and their teeth healthy.
We recommend Kaytee Fiesta Hamster & Gerbil Food because it contains a variety of ingredients to promote foraging and to keep your hamster’s teeth and digestion healthy.
It is very affordable and made from high-quality, natural ingredients as well.
We recommend Kaytee Fiesta Hamster & Gerbil Food because it contains a variety of ingredients to promote foraging and to keep your hamster’s teeth and digestion healthy.
It is very affordable and made from high-quality, natural ingredients as well.
Best For Dwarf Hamsters
4.
Oxbow Essentials Healthy Handfuls Gerbil & Hamster Food
Product Info
- Type: Pellet
- Amount: 2 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Timothy hay, oats barley
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 15%
Crude Fat: 4.5%
Crude Fiber: 15%
Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 16.67%
Fat: 5%
Fiber: 16.67%
Carbs: 61.67%
Pros
- Contains all-natural ingredients
- No added sugar or dried fruit
- Complete and balanced nutrition
Cons
- Some hamsters dislike pellet food compared to seed mixes
Dwarf hamsters may be small, but they are extremely active and therefore require just as much food as Syrian hamsters. One thing to remember is that these hamsters can’t break down sugar very easily, so they are prone to diabetes and need a diet low in fat and high in protein.
The best hamster food for dwarf hamsters is Oxbow Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food because it contains only natural ingredients like timothy hay, oats, and barley with no added sugar.
This recipe contains no dried fruit and it is complete and balanced for your dwarf hamster.
The best hamster food for dwarf hamsters is Oxbow Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food because it contains only natural ingredients like timothy hay, oats, and barley with no added sugar.
This recipe contains no dried fruit and it is complete and balanced for your dwarf hamster.
Best Hamster For Roborovski Hamsters
5.
Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Formula
Product Info
- Type: Seed mix
- Amount: 2 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Barley, oats, corn
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 14%
Crude Fat: 4%
Crude Fiber: 12%
Moisture: 14%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 16.28%
Fat: 4.65%
Fiber: 13.95%
Carbs: 65.12%
Pros
- High-diversity mix appeals to most hamsters
- Made with high-quality, natural ingredients
- Fortified for balanced nutrition
Cons
- Some hamsters might pick out only the things they like
Because Roborovski hamsters are another species of dwarf hamster, the food reviewed above will work well. Another option is Sunseed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Formula. This hamster food is a high-diversity formula but still designed to meet your hamster’s nutritional needs.
It offers high nutrient bioavailability to support long-term health and wellness, plus it is fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and probiotics. Plus, it is made in the USA from high-quality, natural ingredients.
It offers high nutrient bioavailability to support long-term health and wellness, plus it is fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and probiotics. Plus, it is made in the USA from high-quality, natural ingredients.
Most Popular
6.
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Gerbil & Hamster Food
Product Info
- Type: Dried Fruits, Dried Veggies
- Amount: 2.5 pounds
- Key Ingredients: White Millet, Wheat
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 15%
Crude Fat: 7%
Crude Fiber: 9.5%
Moisture: 11.5%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 16.95%
Fat: 7.91%
Fiber: 10.73%
Carbs: 64.41%
Pros
- Contains ample fiber
- Packed with protein
- Complete nutrition for your hamster
Cons
- Contains grains, which some hamsters may be allergic or sensitive to
This is specifically made for hamsters and designed to give them a balanced diet. There are no artificial components in it, and the manufacturers tout it as an all-natural product. It’s designed to be suitable for all kinds of hamsters, and it has been fortified with a number of nutrients that hedgehogs need in order to experience their healthiest and most vibrant life.
There is also a lot of protein packed into this hamster food, which is excellent for your pet. You’ll find plenty of fiber too, as insect parts have been incorporated into the formula to give it the authentic feel of a hamster diet.
There is also a lot of protein packed into this hamster food, which is excellent for your pet. You’ll find plenty of fiber too, as insect parts have been incorporated into the formula to give it the authentic feel of a hamster diet.
High In protein
7.
Oxbow Garden Select Gerbil & Hamster Food
Product Info
- Type: Dried Fruits, Dried Veggies
- Amount: 2.5 pounds
- Key Ingredients: White Millet, Wheat
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 16%
Crude Fat: 2.5%
Crude Fiber: 18%
Moisture: 10%
Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 17.78%
Fat: 2.78%
Fiber: 20%
Carbs: 59.44%
Pros
- Plenty of healthy fiber
- High protein recipe
- Farmed in the USA
Cons
- Not the cheapest product on our list
This complete hamster food source includes everything your hedgehog needs for a wholesome and nutritional diet. It has plenty of fiber, lots of meat-sourced protein and a decent amount of fat, but not too much.
Oxbow Garden Select Hamster & Gerbil Food is specifically designed designed to meet the nutritional requirements of your hamster, it contains timothy grass, oat groats, linseed meal, sunflower meal as the top ingredients to support your hamster’s overall health. Overall, your hamster is sure to love it and you’ll love the quality nutrition and affordable price tag.
Oxbow Garden Select Hamster & Gerbil Food is specifically designed designed to meet the nutritional requirements of your hamster, it contains timothy grass, oat groats, linseed meal, sunflower meal as the top ingredients to support your hamster’s overall health. Overall, your hamster is sure to love it and you’ll love the quality nutrition and affordable price tag.
Tips For Feeding Hamsters
Hamsters are very small, so they don’t eat a large volume of food. They do, however, require a certain balance of nutrients to remain healthy so it is important to choose the best food for your hamster.
Here are some tips for feeding hamsters:
- Make sure a majority of your hamster’s diet comes from a commercial pellet because it is formulated to provide the right balance of nutrients for hamsters.
- Offer your hamster small amounts of seeds and cereals to supplement its diet.
- Provide your hamster with small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables to provide a boost of healthy nutrition – just avoid junk food.
- Never feed your hamster raw potatoes, almonds, garlic, citrus, or chocolate as well as sugary or fatty foods.
- Follow the feeding recommendations on the package to determine how much to feed your hamster according to its breed and size.
Every hamster is unique, so your hamster might like one food better than another. It doesn’t hurt to try several brands until you find one your hamster likes, as long as it provides for your hamster’s nutritional needs and feeding requirements.
Final Remarks
Providing your hamster with a healthy and balanced diet is essential for its health. Keep in mind that different species of hamster have slightly different needs, so take the time to do your research and choose the best food for your hamster.
If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for hamster food, try out one of the top 5 best hamster foods we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!
