What Seeds Can Hamsters Eat? [A Detailed Guide]
If you’re a hamster owner, you know that your fluffy buddy needs a balanced diet to stay healthy. While pellets, veggies, and nuts are crucial for such a diet, seeds are the most important. But what seeds can hamsters eat?
Hamsters can munch on sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin seeds, as well as pomegranate, hemp, and mixed seeds. Just steer clear of pear and apple seeds, which can be harmful to your furry friend.
Aside from the seeds, we’ll cover the diet and types of seeds that hamsters can eat. Not only that, but you’ll also get to know which seeds are risky for them as well as how you introduce new seeds into your hamster’s diet. So, finish it up.
Are Seeds Good for Hamsters?
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Giving your hamster only seed-based diets isn’t the best idea. These foods don’t provide all the necessary nutrients and can lead to deficiencies in minerals like vitamin E and calcium and vitamins. So, it’d be best for you to use pellet-based diets as only supplements with seed-based ones.
Is Bird Seed Safe for My Hamsters?
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Your hamster can munch on various bird seed types as long as it’s free from chemicals or pesticides. It’s best to avoid black oil sunflower seeds as they contain aflatoxin, which can cause liver cancer.
You can feed your hamster with any birdseed from a trustworthy source that’s free from harmful substances. And some of the best birdseed options for your hamster are safflower seeds, sunflower seeds, and canary grass seeds.
Which Seeds to Feed Your Hamster?
There are several types of seeds suitable for hamsters. Some of the safest and most renowned are —
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Sunflower Seeds
Hamsters love munching on sunflower seeds. You can give your furry friend a sunflower seed or two per day as a snack or mix them with some alfalfa pellets.
But remember, only go for unsalted and unflavored ones. Overfeeding can make your hamster chubby and lead to health issues like diabetes and obesity.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds can be a great snack option for your fluffy buddy. But remember, just like with any food, moderation is key. These seeds have fiber and calcium that can help keep your hamster’s teeth and bones healthy and even prevent cancer!
However, feeding your hamster too many sesame seeds can lead to some tummy troubles like diarrhea and bowel irritation. So, make sure to offer them as an occasional treat and not go overboard.
Pumpkin Seeds
They’re safe for your hamsters to munch on. Raw pumpkin seeds make a great occasional treat for them. Just make sure to serve them unsalted.
These seeds are packed with protein, Vitamin A, and other essential nutrients for our Hamsters. Plus, they contain omega-3, which is important for brain development.
But don’t overdo it with pumpkin seeds, especially for smaller hamsters like the dwarf breeds. Too much can lead to health problems due to their high-fat content.
Pomegranate Seeds
Hamsters can eat them, but only in small amounts. To prevent choking concerns, feed them small-scale seeds.
While pomegranate seeds have many health benefits, such as being rich in protein and fiber, they also contain natural sugar. So, the key is to serve them in balance to avoid health problems.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds can be a healthy treat for your Hamsters. These seeds contain a lot of vital nutrients such as protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids that can keep your furry friend healthy.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that hemp seeds are acidic and contain a decent amount of fat. So, you better feed 8 to 10 hemp seeds per week.
Mixed Seeds
Pet stores have this amazing seed mix for hamsters called “Mixed Seeds.” These mixes are specifically formulated to meet the dietary needs of our furry friends. They have everything – pumpkin, flax, sunflower, wheat seeds, sesame, and corn kernels.
This mix contains varieties of healthy seeds to feed your hamster along with pellets and grains, which is a balanced diet. However, you must feed the best seed mix for hamsters that are specifically designed for them, not for cats, mice, or rats.
How to Feed Seeds to Your Hamster
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To feed seeds to your hamster, follow the following tips.
- Try a mix of Spelt, millet, oat groats, and rye berries.
- Offer ½ teaspoon for every 1 tablespoon of commercial food like the oxbow for the hamster.
- You can also mix at least 2 or 3 seeds to create variety.
- Add safflower seeds, flaxseeds, and sesame seeds to their diet.
- On top of that, it’s a great idea to feed a total of 2 to 4 unsalted and unflavored nuts per month.
- You can go for Brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, pecans, or hazelnuts.
Follow these tips for offering seeds to your pet, and remember to avoid too much sugar or fat to keep your hamster healthy and safe.
Seeds to Avoid in Your Hamster’s Diet
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If you want to keep your pet safe and well, you must get familiar with what seeds are not good for hamsters. For instance —
- Avoid giving them packaged seeds meant for humans because of additives like sugar and salt.
- Also, some fruit seeds can be harmful or toxic, such as pear and apple pear seeds and pits of apricots and cherries.
Besides, the oils in the seeds of grapes might harm their delicate organs. So, these are the seeds not to feed your furry ones; instead, you can keep them safe by sticking to raw seeds specifically for hamsters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Even though we’ve covered a lot, certain questions still need to be answered. To make things clearer, we’ve added a few common queries about feeding seeds to hamsters.
Q. Can all types of hamsters eat the same seeds?
A hamster can ingest practically any seed or fruit. They can take in veggies and nuts as well, but they like seeds the most.
Q. How many seeds should I feed my hamster?
It varies depending on the age, size, and type of seed you feed to your hamster. However, you can feed safflower seeds 1 to 2, sesame seeds 7 to 10, and sunflower seeds 2 to 5 daily.
Q. Are there any seeds that are toxic to hamsters?
Yes, some seeds are toxic to hamsters, such as apple and pear seeds, as well as cherry and apricot pits.
Q. How do I introduce new seeds into my hamster’s diet?
You can offer a small portion and monitor their reaction. Plus, try placing a small amount of the new seed alongside the normal food to introduce your hamster’s diet.
Q. How can I store seeds to keep them fresh for my hamster?
You must store seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to keep them fresh for your hamster.
Final Words
Hamsters love to chew on seeds, but not all seeds are safe for them. Then, what seeds can hamsters eat? Sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, and mixed seeds are popular choices for hamsters. However, pear and apple seeds are a strict no-no as they contain cyanide, which can be harmful to your hamster’s fitness. Also, keep in mind to introduce new seeds to your hamster’s diet gradually and in small portions. Always store the seeds in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh for your furry friend.
Featured Image Credit: Pixelshot, Canva