Food and Water

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Good-quality food and fresh, clean water must be readily

available at all times.  The exact nutritional requirements of

the hamster are not known.  In the wild, they are omnivorous,

feeding on plants, seeds, fruits and insects.  Pet hamsters are

best fed commercial rat or mouse diets containing at least 16%

crude protein.  These foods are usually available as dry blocks

or pellets.  These commercial diets can be supplemented with

small amounts of dry, sugar-free breakfast cereals, whole-wheat

bread, uncooked pasta, cooked chicken, tuna fish, cheese,

fresh fruits and vegetables.  The last two items must be

thoroughly washed to avoid exposing pet hamsters to pesticide

residues and possible bacterial contamination.



Pet stores sell prepared hamster diets available in boxes or

bags.  These diets contain large quantities of seeds and items

rich in oils.  Consequently, if improperly stored, they become

rancid and lose their nutritive value.  Furthermore, these

oil-rich items promote obesity.  These types of foods can be

offered as a supplement to the commercial rat or mouse diets

mentioned above.



All food should be provided in heavy ceramic crocks that resist

tipping.  The sides of the crocks should be high enough to keep

bedding and fecal material out of the food, or the crocks should

be elevated slightly above the bedding.



Water is most easily made available and kept free from

contamination by providing it in one or more water bottles

equipped with sipper tubes.  Make certain the ends of the tubes

are positioned low enough to allow all residents within the

enclosure (especially juvenile hamsters over one week old) easy

access to them.  Also make certain that very young hamsters are

strong enough to obtain water from these sipper tubes.