The classical commercial diets for hamsters, based on a mixture of seeds (in particular sunflower seeds), are not recommended: they contain too much fat and are deficient in proteins and vitamins. It should not be forgotten that hamsters living in captivity have very limited spaces to move in and, therefore, less possibility of consuming calories. A diet that contains more than 7-9% of fats can cause an increase in mortality. Furthermore, the habit of leaving substantial amounts of seed mixtures available induces the hamster to eat the food it likes best – sunflower seeds, which are particularly rich in lipids and, therefore, harmful to the animal’s health.
The ideal diet is based on pellets for rodents which contain 14-16% of proteins and 4-5% of lipids; such foodstuffs are not, however, easy to find on the market. Homemade food can, therefore, be used. This must be varied and balanced, avoiding unnatural foods and too much fat. The base of the diet can be a mix of cereals for human consumption (breakfast “muesli”), without sugar or powdered milk, on sale in supermarkets and shops selling biological foods. Other suitable foodstuffs include wholemeal rusks or bread, pasta, fresh vegetables, small amounts of fruit and, once or twice a week, a source of animal protein (a small piece of cooked meat or a cooked egg). Occasionally, as a prize, a piece of dried fruit, hazelnuts or walnuts can be given.
Fresh, clean water must always be available, preferably supplied from water bottle dispensers, which keep the water clean. The correct functioning of these water bottles must be checked regularly as they can leak or become blocked.
The food must be supplied in moderation, calculating the amount eaten in a day. Given that hamsters store large amounts of food, if they have the possibility, care must be taken that the food does not ferment, particularly when it contains fresh vegetables. Fresh food should be offered in the evening and any not eaten removed the following day.
The foodstuffs to avoid are:
- products containing sugar: confectionery, biscuits, cream, sweets in general;
- products rich in fats: fried food, dairy cream, butter, snacks;
- vegetables that are rotting or, in any case, not suitable for human consumption;
- the green parts and leaves of potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines;
- chocolate;
- milk and milk containing products;
- salty or spicy foods, such as cured meats;
- vegetables harvested in an area that could have been treated with pesticides, or along the roadside;
- house plants (many, such as poinsettia, are irritant or toxic, or could have been treated with toxic products).