What’s cuter than watching your little hamster fill their checks with food until they’re nearly exploding from all the goodies?
Just one thing:
Watching them fill their cheeks with the best hamster food around and knowing that they’re getting a complete, balanced diet! 🐹🌾😋
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But with the myriad of options and brands available, how will you ever decide on a high-quality hamster food that’s actually healthy for your pet?
It’s not easy, especially if you’re a first-time hamster owner…
But don’t panic — this is why we’ve written this complete guide!
In less than 15 minutes, you’ll discover:
- The seven best hamster foods you can buy online in 2023, and
- An FAQ-style buyer’s guide that’ll help you make an educated decision on what to feed your hamster!
The 7 best hamster foods we’ve reviewed, at a glance.
- Oxbow Essentials Hamster Food and Gerbil Food
- Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix
- Higgins Vita Garden Hamster & Gerbil Food
- Kaytee Forti Diet Pro Health Hamster Food
- Sunseed Vita Prima Complete Nutrition Hamster & Gerbil Food
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- Kaytee Fiesta Hamster and Gerbil Food
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s jump in and find your adorable furball some delicious, healthy food!
Table of Contents
Our Seven Favorite Hamster Foods of 2023
Oxbow Essentials Hamster Food and Gerbil Food
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If you want the very best for your little pet hamsters, then don’t look any further…
Oxbow Essentials Hamster/Gerbil Food is heads and shoulders above the rest of the pack and easily takes home the crown for the best hamster food of 2023!
Your pets will love every bite of this uniform kibble, and…
You’ll love knowing that you’re giving your hamsters a delicious, balanced diet!
But what makes these pellets the best?
The fact that this food is simply the complete package. It contains everything your hamster needs for a healthy digestive system, great dental health, a strong immune system, and stable body weight!
Keep up the fantastic work, Oxbow!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE: Balanced protein, fat, and carbohydrates provide energy for daily function and performance
- SUPPORTS IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH: Made with antioxidants & prebiotics to support the immune system health of your hamster or gerbil
- PERFECT FOR PICKY EATERS: Uniform kibble prevents selective feeding
- FORTIFIED FOOD: Fortified with vitamins and minerals for optimum health
- VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED: Formulated with the guidance of top veterinarians and nutritionists
Pros
- Delivers perfectly balanced nutrition
- Natural, high-quality ingredients
- 100% uniform — perfect for picky eaters!
- Fortified with all the essential vitamins and minerals
- Free from refined sugars, preservatives, and artificial colors or flavors
- Rich in healthy antioxidants, fiber, chelated minerals, and prebiotics
- Great for all breeds and sizes, from dwarf hamsters all the way to Syrians
- Recommended by veterinarians worldwide
Cons
- On the pricer end of the market (BUT totally worth it)
- Some hamsters may take a while to get used to pelleted food
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix
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Supreme Tiny Friends Farm takes home the silver and the award for the best mixed hamster food!
An impressive feat considering the fierce competition!
We highly recommend this product if you’re struggling to get your pet hamsters to eat pelleted foods like Oxbow Essentials…
You can either use this tasty mix as:
- A supplement (50-50 pellets and seed mix) to encourage more hoarding and foraging, or
- A complete replacement if your hamster really won’t have any of the pellets.
Our favorite thing about this food is that it’s appropriate for hamsters of all sizes, breeds, and ages, thanks to its carefully selected mix of ingredients!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- A Nutritionally Balanced, Tasty Mix For Hamsters
- Promotes Natural Foraging
- Best Ever Taste - No Added Sugar
- Added Vitamins For Health & Vitality
- Suitable For All Breeds Including Dwarf Hamsters
Pros
- Best seed hamster food — great tasting and nutritionally balanced!
- Encourages natural foraging
- Affordable
- No added sugars
- Enriched with vitamins and minerals
- Ideal for all breeds, including dwarf hamsters
- Approved by the UK’s National Hamster Council
Cons
- Might promote selective feeding
- A bit heavy on the corn, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds — pick some of them out and use them as treats instead!
Higgins Vita Garden Hamster & Gerbil Food
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This is another excellent option if you’re searching for a mixed hamster food that’s nutritionally balanced and delicious (at least to hamsters 🐹😆)!
But there’s one thing Higgins Vita Garden Hamster/Gerbil Food is the market-leading product for:
Digestive health.
Because it contains ‘fiber-biotic pellets’ that are loaded with fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics!
These yummy nuggets make sure that your pet hamster’s diet contains all the nutrients they need for a smoothly functioning gut!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Contains 1- 2.5Lb
- Enriched With Dha, Balanced With Omega Fatty Acids As Well As Digestive Probiotics
- No Artificial Colors Or Preservatives
Pros
- Delicious mix of grains, sun-cured hay, dry veggies, and legumes
- Competitively priced
- High in fiber
- Fortified with prebiotics and probiotics for better digestive health
- Contains healthy, DHA Omega-3 fatty acids that support healthy skin and fur
- Free from artificial colors or preservatives
Cons
- Too many treats (like seeds) in the mix — you may want to remove some before you feed your hamsters!
- Not suited for picky eaters
Kaytee Forti Diet Pro Health Hamster Food
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What list of small animal food would be complete without a product from the market-leading brand Kaytee?
Definitely not this one…
Kaytee Forti Diet Pro is our pick for the best budget hamster food!
For an incredibly low price, you can put your hands on a product that you can comfortably give your hamster without having to worry about adverse effects!
It’s not perfect (and that’s why it’s in fourth place), but it’s made from natural ingredients and fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and omega-3 acids!
But, since it contains way too many treats and too much corn, remember to:
- Take some of these ingredients out to make this small animal feed healthier, and
- Add some extra protein into your hamster’s diet!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Larger, crunchy pieces supports dental health through natural chewing activity
- Naturally Preserved For Ideal Freshness
- A Nutritionally Complete Diet For Hamsters And Gerbils
- Prebiotics And Probiotics To Support Digestive Health
- All Natural
Pros
- Super affordable
- Developed by animal nutrition experts
- Delicious formula
- Contains yucca extract to help with odor control
- Enriched with probiotics, prebiotics, and DHA Omega-3
- Crunchy pieces promote chewing and help grind down teeth
Cons
- Inconsistent quality — it happens at this price range!
- Contains artificial coloring
- Hard-to-reseal bag
Sunseed Vita Prima Complete Nutrition Hamster & Gerbil Food
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In fifth place, you find another excellent, all-natural hamster food that’ll nourish your small pets and keep them healthy and happy for a long time!
We particularly like that this Sunseed Vita Prima mix contains a huge variety of ingredients, including rarely-used foods like sweet potato, buckwheat, and parsley.
This means it’s excellent both as a stand-alone dining option or a supplement for owners wanting to give their hamsters a more varied diet.
For an incredibly low price, you can put your hands on a product that you can comfortably give your hamster without having to worry about adverse effects!
It also has just the right amount of tasty sunflower seeds, so no need to worry about your small hammie consuming too much fat!
But, since it contains way too many treats and too much corn, remember to:
- Take some of these ingredients out to make this small animal feed healthier, and
- Add some extra protein into your hamster’s diet!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Fortified with essential Vitamins A, D, and E
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Ingredient variety encourages natural foraging
- Made with our unique nutrient-rich blend of ancient grains
- Crunchy textures encourage chewing for dental health support
Pros
- Made from a nutrient and protein-rich blend of ancient grains
- Encourages hoarding and foraging
- Suited for all types of hamster breeds, including dwarf hamsters
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Added vitamins A, D, and E
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the best option for picky munchkins
Oxbow Garden Select Fortified Food for Hamsters and Gerbils
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No products found.
Is your little pet hamster a valued member of your family?
Yes?
Awesome, rock on!
And then take a look at this premium pelleted food from Oxbow.
It’s made from a delicious mixture of Timothy, orchard, and oat hay, and it includes yellow peas, tomatoes, carrots, bananas, and spinach — your hamster will love every bite!
But what about from a nutritional point of view?
Also excellent — it features all the nutrients hamsters need to eat to stay beautiful and healthy!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
No products found.Pros
- Well-balanced feed
- Recreates the diet your pet hamster would enjoy in the wild
- Certified non-GMO
- Phenomenal pick for a dwarf hamster
- Great as a supplement to seed-based mixes
- Farmed in the USA
Cons
- Most expensive food on this list
- Your hamster may not eat these pellets if they’re used to a seed-based diet
Kaytee Fiesta Hamster and Gerbil Food
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Rounding up our list of the best pet hamster meals is another product from Kaytee.
This Fiesta mix is a solid option if you’re looking for a gourmet feed that’s great bang for the buck!
It’s made up of a premium blend of grains, veggies, seeds, and fruits. It also contains special probiotics and prebiotics to help keep your hamster’s intestinal flora active and healthy!
One word of warning, though:
You should supplement this blend with high-quality pellets (like Oxbow Essentials or Garden Select) to make sure your hamsters eat a sufficiently balanced diet!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Shapes And Textures Support Dental Health Through Natural Chewing Activity
- Prebiotics And Probiotics To Support Digestive Health
- Assorted Fruits And Veggies For Added Enrichment And Variety
- Rich In Natural Antioxidants For General Health & Immune Support
- Naturally Preserved For Ideal Freshness.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Large variety of delicious ingredients — the different shapes, sizes, and textures make mealtime fun and promote hoarding and foraging!
- Supports digestive and dental health
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Includes probiotics and prebiotics
Cons
- High in corn and seeds
- A bit low in protein
- Should be supplemented with pelleted foods
Extra Foods You NEED
No matter what fortified hamster food you pick, there’s one more thing you have to get:
Fresh fruits and veggies from your local supermarket or greengrocer! 🐹🥬🥗
Vegetables are the ultimate hamster supplement, and they’ll help keep your hamster loaded with the essential vitamins and nutrients they need for a long and happy life!
Fruits are nature’s healthy sweet, and they’re perfect as occasional treats for a well-behaved pet hamster!
Feed your hamster things like:
- Carrots
- Raisins
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin
- Berries
- Zucchini
- Cauliflower
- Romaine lettuce
- Apples
But avoid:
- Cabbage
- Onion
- Kidney beans
- Citrus fruits
- Leeks
For other fresh food ideas, check out our great post on hamster nutrition.
Buyer’s Guide to Hamster Food
Looking for EVEN MORE information about hamster food and nutrition?
You’re in the right place!
This buyer’s guide answers six of the most commonly asked FAQs we hear from hamster owners…
Giving you a crash course in hamster diet basics!
Get your pen and paper ready.
What Types of Foods Should I Give My Hamster?
You should provide your hamster with a healthy, balanced diet that features:
- Seed hamster food — Whole food mixes closely mimic a hamster’s diet in the wild and encourage hoarding and foraging behavior. They’re the natural choice for hamster nutrition IF your pets aren’t picky eaters that only munch on their favorite bits!
- Pelleted hamster food — Pellets may just be the best hamster food because they eliminate selective feeding and unbalanced nutrition!
- Fresh veggies — Hamsters like to eat fresh vegetables, so add things like broccoli, sweet potato, and carrot to the menu every other day!
- Timothy hay — Give your furry friend some extra fiber by adding a handful of quality Timothy hay (Oxbow Animal Health Western Timothy Hay ) to their food bowl a few times a week!
- Treats — Hamsters, just like humans, have a sweet tooth. So go ahead and give them a treat once or twice a week. Try things like small pieces of fruit, some seeds or nuts, or a pre-packaged option (Kaytee Healthy Bits Treat )… but whatever you do, stay away from artificial sugar!
- High-protein snacks — A very occasional protein boost will do wonders for your hamster’s health, so integrate a tiny piece of cooked meat, fish, or hard-boiled egg into their meal plans!
- Unlimited water — Don’t forget that hamsters always need to have a source of water (like a bottle) in their cages!
What’s the Optimal Nutritional Balance for a Hamster?
Keep to hamster foods with a nutritional profile that fits these values:
- 12-24% protein
- 4-7% fat
- 6-15% fiber
If you have baby hamsters or pregnant/nursing mothers, stick to foods at the upper end of the protein and fat ranges — they need it for growth and development.
And, whatever you do, make sure to pick products made from high-quality, natural ingredients!
How Many Times a Day Should I Feed My Hamsters?
Your pet hamsters only need one main meal a day.
It should consist of specially formulated hamster food supplemented by a bit of fresh food every other day and a treat once or twice a week.
Many hamster owners recommend feeding in the evenings because hamsters are nocturnal, but there’s no definitive evidence that this is the right strategy. The most important thing about mealtime is consistency because it helps build good feeding habits. So pick a time that works for you and your hammie, and then stick to it!
They’ll end up hoarding a part of their food anyway, so snacks will be available during the night!
Two more things:
- Clean up their bowl after each feeding session and empty their ‘larder’ every couple of days — this will stop them from eating stale, moldy food!
- An open bag of hamster food stays fresh for about 2 months; after that, you’ll need a new one!
How Much Hamster Food Should I Give Them Daily?
Give your hamster about one to two tablespoons (10-15 grams) of food per mealtime.
It doesn’t sound like much, but keep in mind that even the biggest hamsters are still tiny critters! 🐹
Do Hamsters Need Extra Salt and Minerals in Their Diets?
Yes, they do!
In the wild, hamsters get these natural supplements by licking mineral rocks… something they can’t really do while living in your house!
The best way to recreate this healthy (and adorable) behavior is to buy them a mineral lick (like this one) and hang it close to their food bowl. They’ll naturally help themselves to the right amount!
How Should I Switch Hamster Foods?
Nice and slowly!
Hamsters don’t like sudden changes to their feeding habits…
So don’t upset them or their digestive systems!
Instead, add 10% of the new hamster food to their old mix on day 1, and then gradually up it by 10% every day until you’re only feeding your little creatures from the new bag of food.
Finals Thoughts on the Best Hamster Foods
Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back.
You deserve it; you’ve just learned A TON about hamster nutrition!
But now get down to business:
You have hungry hamsters waiting to be feed! 🐹🍴
Pick your favorite food option from this list and order it now — don’t doubt yourself; you’re more than prepared to make the right call.
Still stuck?
Then start simple and buy a box of one of our top 3 hamster foods
It’s really healthy, and most hamsters eat it up like there’s no tomorrow, so there’s only a tiny chance your little one won’t do the same…
And if this improbable scenario comes true, just come back to this post and try out a healthy seed-based food — your fussy munchkin will be 100% satisfied before you know it!
