| Hamsters, like humans, have varied dietary | | | | Your pet shouldn't get all of its nutrients from dried |
| requirements. In the wild, they live off a wide range | | | | food. Instead, it is a good idea to also give them |
| of foods, including grains, seeds, fruit, vegetables, and | | | | fresh food, including carrot sticks, celery, cucumber, |
| small insects. Of course, a pet hamster is not able to | | | | broccoli and so on. However, be careful not to give |
| go foraging for these items, so it important that you | | | | them too much of these items as they can cause |
| provide foods that contain the same diversity, to | | | | digestion problems - start with a small piece once a |
| supply all of your animal's needs. The following foods | | | | week and gradually build up to a small piece every |
| will give your hamster the varied diet it needs, and | | | | day. |
| ensure a good nutritional balance: | | | | 3. Treats |
| 1. Hamster Mix | | | | Although you shouldn't treat your hamster too often, |
| This is the main component of most hamsters' diet. | | | | they do enjoy something sweet or unusual once in a |
| It is specially designed to contain much of the same | | | | while. You should be very careful though because |
| foods that your pet would eat in the wild. This | | | | hamsters can't digest many of the items that |
| includes seeds, grains, and dried fruit and veg. It is | | | | humans consider to be treats. Sponge cake is a great |
| important to choose a mix designed specially for | | | | food that they love, and which they can digest. Pet |
| hamsters. You can buy similar mixes for other animals | | | | stores also sell special treats such as hamster-safe |
| but, while they may look the same, they are made | | | | chocolates. |
| up from different foods, and will not meet a | | | | By varying your hamster's diet, and doing your best |
| hamster's needs. | | | | to replicate what they eat in nature, you can ensure |
| 2. Fresh Fruit And Veg | | | | that it will live a long, happy, and well-nourished life. |