Hamsters are remarkable little animals that have quite a healthy appetite consisting of mostly fruits, vegetables, and seeds. While they can’t eat everything, they can vary their diet to a great degree – indulging in sweets, human foods, even other animals, and more – so long as they maintain a proper exercise routine. But can hamsters eat other animal foods?
Can Hamsters eat Cat Food?
Since hamster diets generally don’t have a lot of protein in them, it’s good to add some flare to your hamster’s meals on occasion. Cat food just so happens to be one of the things that can provide an adequate amount of protein to your hamster’s diet. Cat food usually contains high protein foods like meat or fish and if given to your hamster in moderate amounts can be a great way to add some extra protein. It’s important to keep in mind that just because hamsters can eat cat food, doesn’t mean they should or need it often.
Can Hamsters eat Bird Food?
Bird food usually contains mixes of different nutrients – especially milo and millet, and even has bits of cracked corn and various seeds, such as sunflower. Some mixes even contain things that provide little nutritional value, like wheat. These are all things that can be eaten by hamsters – and are actually great treats for your hamster if given on occasion rather than on the daily. Bird foods are high in good fats that your hamster needs in its diet. If you wish to give some bird food to your hamster, keep it in generous but not overly enthusiastic portions and only a few times a week.
Can Hamsters eat Rabbit Food?
While certain parts of a rabbit’s diet and a hamster’s diet overlap – such as broccoli and carrots, specialized rabbit food should not be eaten by a hamster, and vice versa. Hamsters and rabbits share commonalities in the things they can and cannot eat. For example, rabbits and hamsters cannot eat things that are too sugary, or citrus fruits due to their high acidity. When it comes to specialized food that is made for the individual species, it’s important to note that rabbit pellets, mixes, and muesli are specifically made to meet the nutritional needs of a rabbit – not a hamster.
When it comes to your hamsters diet, there is little to no harm in occasionally mixing in some non-traditional food in your hamster’s diet – but it’s best to feed a hamster food that it meant to be eaten by hamsters.
