Hamsters are lovable little creatures that make great pets. However they’ve particular dietary wants that should be met to make sure their well being and happiness. Whereas industrial hamster meals is available and will make up your hamster’s major weight loss plan, home made meals will be a good way to complement their weight loss plan and supply them with selection and a tasty deal with. We’ve gathered ten terrific home made meals recipes for hamsters.
Hamster Feeding Ideas
Hamsters must be fed as soon as a day, often within the night, when they’re most energetic. The quantity of meals will rely upon the scale and age of your hamster, however usually, a tablespoon of meals per day is adequate.
Whereas these home made recipes can add selection to your hamster’s weight loss plan, they need to not change a balanced industrial hamster meals which is particularly designed to fulfill their dietary wants. All the time do not forget that recent meals like fruits, greens, and cooked meats must be given carefully alongside their major weight loss plan. Many of those will be supplied as soon as a day, others much less continuously.
The ten Home made Hamster Meals Recipes
1. Veggie Delight
This recipe supplies an excellent supply of nutritional vitamins and minerals. Carrots are excessive in vitamin A, whereas broccoli is wealthy in vitamin C and fiber. Cucumbers have a excessive water content material, which is nice for hydration. All the time take away any uneaten recent meals after a number of hours to stop it from spoiling.
Elements:
- 1 small carrot
- 1 broccoli floret
- 1 slice of cucumber
Preparation:
Wash and finely chop the greens. Combine them collectively and serve in your hamster’s dish.
2. Protein Energy
Regardless of what many individuals imagine, hamsters get pleasure from consuming hen sometimes, and it’s a good supply of lean protein. All the time be certain that the hen is cooked totally and doesn’t comprise any seasoning or oil. Quinoa supplies important amino acids and the plant matter that your hamster wants.
Elements:
- 1 teaspoon cooked hen (boiled or pan-fried with out oil)
- 1 teaspoon cooked quinoa
Preparation:
Chop the cooked hen into tiny items appropriate on your hamster. Combine with the cooked quinoa and serve as soon as cooled. This might be good as a weekly deal with.
3. Fruity Deal with
Apples are an incredible supply of nutritional vitamins A and C, low in fats and excessive in fiber. Bananas are an incredible supply of dietary fiber and numerous vitamins, together with nutritional vitamins B6 and C, in addition to potassium. Keep in mind, fruit must be given to your hamster sparingly resulting from its excessive sugar content material.
Elements:
- 1 small apple
- 1 small banana
Preparation:
Take away the seeds from the apple and finely chop it together with the banana. Combine them collectively and serve one teaspoon as much as 3 instances per week.
4. Candy Potato Feast
Candy potatoes are an excellent supply of fiber and nutritional vitamins, whereas peas present protein and nutritional vitamins. Ensure that the candy potatoes and peas are cooked, and take away any uneaten portion after a number of hours to stop spoilage.
Elements:
- 1 small candy potato
- 1 teaspoon of cooked peas
Preparation:
Boil the candy potato till it’s mushy sufficient to mash. Combine within the cooked peas. Let it cool earlier than serving 1-2 teaspoons to your hamster.
5. Apple Oat Porridge
We’ve already talked about that apples are wealthy in fiber and nutritional vitamins. However oats may present important vitamins and fiber on your hamster. Nevertheless, as with fruits, oats shouldn’t be fed in massive quantities both, however this deal with is okay as an occasional snack.
Elements:
- 1 small apple
- 2 teaspoons of oats
- 1 tablespoon of boiling water
Preparation:
Take away the seeds from the apple and finely chop it. Combine with the oats and water and permit to chill totally. Supply one teaspoon as much as 3 instances per week.
6. Inexperienced Goodness
Each kale and bell peppers are nice meals for hamsters when they’re fed carefully. Kale is filled with nutritional vitamins and minerals together with vitamin A, vitamin Okay, folate, manganese, and others, in addition to being low in energy. Bell peppers are an incredible supply of vitamin C.
Elements:
- 1 small piece of kale
- 1 small piece of bell pepper
Preparation:
Wash and finely chop the kale and bell pepper. Combine them collectively and serve.
7. Berry and Nut Combine
Berries and nuts are nice decisions on your hamster carefully, and this combine makes use of strawberries and walnuts. Strawberries are filled with nutritional vitamins and antioxidants, whereas walnuts present wholesome fat and protein. Like different fruits, strawberries must be given sparingly resulting from their sugar content material.
Elements:
- 1 small strawberry
- 1 unsalted walnut
Preparation:
Finely chop the strawberry and walnut. Combine them collectively and serve as soon as per week.
8. Banana & Pumpkin Seed Combine
We’ve already mentioned the advantages of bananas for hamsters (so long as they’re fed carefully). However seeds are a staple of a hamster’s weight loss plan within the wild and may provide fats and protein. Simply bear in mind to feed fruits and seeds sparingly resulting from their excessive sugar and fats content material respectively.
Elements:
- 1 small slice of banana
- 1 teaspoon of unsalted pumpkin seeds
Preparation:
Mash the banana and blend it with the pumpkin seeds, and roll into little deal with balls.
9. Seedy Crunch
Since seeds are a dietary staple for a hamster, this recipe makes use of solely seeds, particularly pumpkin and sunflower seeds, each of which hamsters are identified to get pleasure from. Seeds are an excellent supply of wholesome fat, protein, and fiber. It’s necessary to make use of unsalted seeds, nonetheless, as an excessive amount of salt is dangerous to hamsters.
Elements:
- ½ teaspoon unsalted sunflower seeds
- ½ teaspoon unsalted pumpkin seeds
- ½ teaspoon of flax seeds
- ½ teaspoon of sesame seeds
Preparation:
Merely combine the seeds collectively and serve.
10. Berry Blast
Strawberries and blueberries are each fruits that hamsters are identified to get pleasure from. So why not combine the 2 collectively? Berries are packed filled with antioxidants and numerous nutritional vitamins. Like different fruits, berries must be given sparingly resulting from their sugar content material.
Elements:
- 1 small strawberry
- 2 blueberries
Preparation:
Wash the fruit, reduce into halves, and revel in watching your hamster munch.
Meals to Keep away from Feeding Your Hamster
A balanced weight loss plan is essential for the well being and well-being of your hamster. Whereas it’s necessary to know what to feed them, it’s equally essential to know which foods to avoid. Listed here are some meals that shouldn’t be included in your hamster’s weight loss plan.
Sugary Meals
Whereas hamsters get pleasure from candy treats, meals excessive in sugar can result in well being issues akin to weight problems and diabetes. This consists of candies, cookies, and muffins. Fruits with excessive sugar content material, like grapes or bananas, ought to solely be given sparingly.
Salty Snacks
Hamsters require solely a tiny quantity of salt of their weight loss plan. Extreme salt consumption can result in a variety of well being points, together with kidney issues and hypertension. Subsequently, snacks like pretzels, chips, or salted nuts must be averted.
Candies
Chocolate is a particular no-no for hamsters. It incorporates caffeine and theobromine, that are poisonous to hamsters. Ingestion can result in digestive points, restlessness, elevated coronary heart price, and in extreme instances, will be deadly.
Acidic Fruits
Acidic fruits like oranges and lemons could cause abdomen upset in hamsters resulting from their excessive acidity degree and citrus content material. If you wish to give your hamster fruit, go for less acidic ones like apples or pears, and bear in mind to take away any seeds first.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are poisonous to hamsters. They comprise compounds that may injury purple blood cells, resulting in a situation known as hemolytic anemia. Indicators embody weak point, breathlessness, and lethargy.
Avocado
Though nutritious for people, avocado is harmful to hamsters. The high-fat content material can result in weight problems and different well being points. Moreover, the pit and pores and skin of the avocado are poisonous and may trigger choking hazards.
Conclusion
Keep in mind, each hamster is exclusive and should have totally different dietary preferences and needs. All the time introduce new meals progressively and monitor your hamster for any indicators of allergic reactions or upset abdomen. In the event you discover any adversarial reactions, discontinue the brand new meals, and seek the advice of with a vet. Take pleasure in exploring these recipes and making mealtime thrilling on your furry buddy!
Featured Picture Credit score: Ultraskrip, Shutterstock
