How often should you feed hamsters

Hamsters love to hoard their food. They pack extra food into special cheek pouches and then store it around their cage for later.

Last Updated: March 4, Approved. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed , times. Hamsters can be cute, small, cuddly, and playful. But, to keep a hamster of your own, you will have to give some thought to feeding it properly. This can be complicated.

How often should you feed hamsters

Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Hamsters are small animals, and it can be difficult to gauge exactly how much to feed them, especially if you are a new hamster owner. The amount that you feed your hamster largely depends on their weight and age, but in general, a hamster will eat around 2 tablespoons of food mix per day. Smaller hamsters, such as Dwarf varieties, will only need around 1 tablespoon per day. If you notice that your hamster is not finishing their food or that they are rapidly gaining weight, you are probably feeding them too much. If they finish their food rapidly, you may need to increase their portions slightly. Hamsters can hold a large amount of food inside their cheeks. Some people estimate that they can hold as much as the equivalent of their own bodyweight in cheek storage! Stashing food away is perfectly normal behavior for hamsters, but if you notice them storing large amounts of their food away, you are probably giving them too much. In this article, we go in-depth on how much to feed your hamster, how often, and what foods are best and what foods to avoid.

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Hamsters are cute, small, relatively easy to care for, and if socialized and handled gently, they can be quite affectionate for a rodent, as well. That makes them a very popular "pocket pet. You want to provide hamster food that nourishes your pet through all life stages. In the wild, hamsters are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plant materials and the occasional insect for protein. They often tuck food into their cheek pouches, which makes it easy to carry food back to their burrow for safe consumption.

How often should you feed hamsters

Have you ever watched your hamster munching away, only to wonder if he is eating often enough — or perhaps, too frequently? However, some hamsters require a different number of feedings. Read on to find out how frequently and what you should be serving your furry friend! Most hamsters will need to be fed just once per day. This is because hamsters habitually store food in their cheek pouches and habitat bedding. Allowing your pet 24 hours to consume what you have given it ensures that it has ample time to enjoy its meal before it spoils. While you can feed your hamster at any time of day, it is recommended that you keep to a consistent schedule. Feeding your pet at a set time every day will help you care for it better. Although hamsters only need to be fed once daily, they must have constant access to fresh water. Ensure that the water is changed daily and that the bottle or bowl is clean to prevent bacterial growth.

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This article has been viewed , times. JavaScript is disabled. However, like any food, it's best fed in moderation, and given as a treat, about two to three times a week. Dwarf hamsters will need a bit less, roughly 1 tablespoon, while larger hamsters, like Syrians, will likely need a bit more. Also, any seed mixes given to your hamster should be in their raw forms and specially formulated for hamsters, as human-formulated mixes often contain salt, sugar, and other additives. Nicole Cosgrove. It should be in water bottle with a metal spout. When you hear about people waiting till the bowl is empty etc I think it is simply to save on food rather than wasting it. So pick one time and stick with it. Feeding - how much and how often?

Having hamsters as pets can be a rewarding experience, and one of the essential aspects of their care is understanding how often to feed them. As a hamster owner, I have learned the importance of providing a proper feeding schedule to ensure my furry friends stay happy and healthy. Hamsters are foragers by nature and typically consume small meals throughout the day, eating approximately every 2 hours.

Beryl said:. Hamster food is not that expensive, they hoard most of it and I would rather feed every day and throw half of it away and keep the hamster content. Italiano: Nutrire un Criceto. Create the perfect home for your hamster. I now get these from ebay or Vetsend who stock them. Obviously these are extreme circumstances. The best hamster diet consists of commercial pelleted food combined with a variety of fresh fruits, seeds, and vegetables. Robos eat very little from it so it does get thrown out and replaced when the bowl gets full. Hamsters are small animals, and it can be difficult to gauge exactly how much to feed them, especially if you are a new hamster owner. They seem to know if it's "fresh" that day or old. Fresh food should generally be removed from the cage within a few hours of the initial feeding. You must log in or register to reply here.