
A hamster will be most healthy if given a balanced and nutritional diet. The best way to start a healthy diet is to purchase a commercial brand hamster food which contains seeds, grains, cracked corn and pellets, and is readily available at pet supply stores. Feed your hamster this mix once or twice daily.
Supplement your pet’s diet with small amounts fresh hamster food. Try fresh grains, sunflower seeds and nuts, alfalfa pellets, hard boiled eggs and vegetables such as asparagus, avocado, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, peas, spinach and squash. Fresh fruit can be given as an occasional treat to Syrian hamsters, but not to dwarf hamsters, who are prone to diabetes.
Use common sense when selecting food for your hamster and introduce new foods slowly. Some foods should be completely avoided. Never give your hamster raw kidney beans, onions, raw potato, rhubarb, chocolate, candy or junk food. Be sure to clean up any leftover fresh food before it spoils. In addition, your hamster will need a constant and fresh supply of water.