Best Food For Hamsters – What Do They Eat?
Our TOP Pick
#1 Kaytee Timothy Biscuits Baked Apple Treat
Because hamsters just love to chew and chew and chew, this feed was specifically made to support your pet’s natural chewing activity.
Containing the same nutritional content of Kaytee’s other hamster feeds, this product stands out due to its real timothy hay content, as well as real baked apples, as well as molasses.
(4.3 / 5)
Here is a list of Top 4 Foods and Treats we Reviewed
*We reviewed all the products below – jump to review section here.
Contents
How to Feed Your Hamster
Hamsters are great as pets since they’re tiny, don’t require too much care, and they don’t eat much, either. So what do they eat? And how often should you feed them?
Knowing what to feed and when to feed your hamster is crucial to their survival. Feed them too much and they become obese; feed them too little and they become malnutritioned. Either way, both instances can lead to health complications, and can even be fatal.
Before you get those tiny furry animals into your home, you have to know what to feed them, what not to feed them, and everything in between.
What to Feed Your Hamster
If you don’t want to think too much, the best option for your hamster is a complete, ready made, packaged feed that you can buy at a pet store. They’ve been specifically made to support your hamster’s proper nutrition, so a tablespoon of feeds is all your hamster needs to stay full and fed for 24 hours.
Can Hamster Eat Carrots?
Yes, they can, but in moderation as carrots do contain sugar, and hamsters, especially dwarf hamsters, are prone to diabetes.
Can Hamsters Eat Grapes?
Can Hamsters Eat Tomatoes?
Feeding your hamster tomato, its leaves, or stems, could even prove fatal.
What Food Are Not Safe for Hamsters to Eat?
The following foods should not be fed to your pet hamster as they can cause digestive issues, as well as other health concerns that can affect your pet:
- apple seeds and skin
- peanuts
- almonds
- garlic
- onion
- grape seeds
- fruit pits
- eggplant
- chocolate
- All citrus fruits
Hamsters should not be fed chocolate as chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which can cause stomach problems, as well as heart problems and seizures.
Chocolates contain high toxicity for hamsters, so never feed it to them, not even a tiny bit.
Hamsters should also not be fed potatoes, as they can cause digestive issues as well.
Apple seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous. To an average person, consuming apple seeds is safe, but for hamsters, as tiny as they are, the cyanide content in apple seeds can prove fatal.
What Fruits and Vegetables Can Hamsters Eat?
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- cucumber
- kale
- peaches
- cherries
- strawberries
- mango
- cantaloupe
- apples
- sweet potatoes
For protein, you can feed them bits of a hard boiled egg, just make sure they’re no bigger than the size of 2 raisins.
You can hand-feed your hamster but take caution as they do bite, especially dwarf hamsters, which can be territorial. You can use a dipper spoon to put food into your pet’s food bowl.
If you must hand-feed your hamster, pet it with your other hand while you hand-feed it with food. This way, they are calm and relaxed, and won’t act so protective of their space. Hand-feeding your hamster is a great way for you to bond with your pet.

Foods and Treats You Can Buy For Hamsters
Finding the perfect feed or treat for your pet hamster can be daunting. There are so many products available online and at pet stores that it can be hard to know which ones your hamster will actually enjoy.
To give you an easier job of deciding which products to choose, we’ve listed the 4 best hamster foods and treats to feed your pet:
Review of 4 Best Foods On The Market Today
1. Kaytee Timothy Biscuits Baked Apple Treat
Because hamsters just love to chew and chew and chew, this feed was specifically made to support your pet’s natural chewing activity.
Containing the same nutritional content of Kaytee’s other hamster feeds, this product stands out due to its real timothy hay content, as well as real baked apples, as well as molasses.
What we liked
- Ideal for bonding and playtime
- The high fiber Content of natural timothy Grass hay also supports your pet’s overall health
- low price – Add-on Product
What we didn't like
- Some people have been saying that Guinea Pigs don’t like them
2. Kaytee Forti Diet Pro Health Hamster Food
They also contain prebiotic and probiotics for healthy digestion, and you won’t need to feed your pet anything else as they’re specifically made for a healthy daily hamster diet.
And the best part of all? This product is low in price but big in content, so you get the best bung for your buck.
What we liked
- Low in price
- Big in content
- Contain Prebiotics And Probiotics To Support Digestive Health
What we didn't like
- Some hamstars didn’t like this food
3. Kaytee Fiesta Hamster Food
Though not as large and as chunky as the Forti Diet, the pellets’ shape also supports dental health through your pet’s natural chewing activity.
And if you want to hand-feed your hamster, simply pick out the sunflower seeds and have a great bonding time with your furry ball of sunshine.
What we liked
- Contains Prebiotics And Probiotics To Support Digestive Health
- Ideal For Hamsters And Gerbils
- Assorted Fruits And Veggies For Added Enrichment And Variety
What we didn't like
- Some people reported that their hamster only ate certain seeds but not the rest
4. Hartz Bonanaza 4-Pound Gourmet Diet Supply
The pellets are also placed in a resealable packaging so you won’t have to transfer them into a separate container. All you need to do is reseal the pack once it’s opened, making it extremely convenient.
What we liked
- Specifically Formulated To Meet The Nutritional Needs And Food Preferences Of Hamsters And Gerbils
- Big in content
- Hard Pellets To Keep Teeth Fit And Satisfies Your Pet’S Need To Chew
What we didn't like
- Some animals (birds) didn’t like this food
How Much Should You Feed Your Hamster? And When?
Hamsters only need a small amount of food each day to stay full and fed.
One to 2 tablespoons per day is enough, and feeding them either in the morning or evening is ideal.
Treating them to tiny bits of fresh food, such as bits of apple or boiled egg, can be done once every 2 days.
But you must always remember that you must not feed them any food that’s bigger than the size of 2 raisins.
The Bottom Line
As a hamster owner, you must know what to feed your pet, and what not to feed them, as this is crucial to whether or not they live or die under your care. They do eat a variety of foods but you must be careful in knowing which foods are actually harmful or even poisonous to your hamster.
Feeding them once a day with just one tablespoon of food is enough, as they do easily grow in size.
Once you’ve mastered what and what not to feed your pet, you can spend less time worrying and more time playing with your cute little hamster.