What Do Hamsters Eat?

Hamsters are among the most popular rodent species kept as pets. However, out of more than 20 hamster species, only about five have been domesticated. One reason for their popularity as pets is their low-maintenance diet. But what do hamsters eat? Keep reading to learn what hamsters eat in the wild and captivity, and find out how they forage for food.

The Hamster Diet in the Wild

Wild hamsters are native to Europe and parts of Russia. They can be found from Western Europe to Western Asia. Hamsters primarily inhabit grasslands, fields, meadows, and farmland. They are even sometimes found in gardens. In more arid environments, hamsters live in steppes and on the edges of deserts.

Hamsters in the wild are omnivores, although meat isn’t a major part of their diet. They primarily eat grasses, seeds, herbs, nuts, grains, insects, insect larvae, and small invertebrates. Hamsters will also eat vegetables, such as various greens and root vegetables, and even some fruits.

The Hamster Diet in Captivity

When kept as pets, hamsters can still be fed an omnivorous diet. Grains, seeds, and nuts are the cornerstone of the hamster’s diet, both in the wild and in captivity. However, dark greens and other vegetables should also be part of their diet. Hamsters enjoy fruit, but it should be provided to them in moderation, as they are prone to diabetes. Hamsters can also eat mealworms for additional protein. Human food with sugar and caffeine should be avoided.

Processed hamster feed and blocks are available to help find a nutritional balance, but many owners choose to feed their pets human food like fresh fruits and vegetables. If you feed your hamster dry food rather than human food, they will generally do well with a tablespoon or two of feed a day. Keep in mind that species like dwarf hamsters require less food than the common Syrian hamster. Hamsters should also be fed timothy hay for their dental health, rather than for its nutritional value.

While there will be some slight differences depending on species, hamsters typically eat the following foods:

• Grasses
• Seeds
• Nuts
• Grains
• Herbs
• Insects and insect larvae
• Small invertebrates (mealworms in captivity)
• Greens such as dandelion greens and spinach greens
• Root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and parsnips
• Fruit including apples, bananas, melons, peaches, apricots, strawberries, and blueberries
• Commercial hamster feed
• Timothy hay (primarily for dental health)

How Do Hamsters Find Food?

Most hamster species dig burrows where they make their nests. These burrows help keep hamsters cool during the hottest parts of the day. As prey animals, hamsters try to minimize the time they spend outside foraging. They are generally nocturnal. However, wild hamsters have been observed to be particularly active early in the morning or late at night.

Scientists have learned that hamsters use spatial memory when foraging. Remembering the locations of both good and poor resource sites cuts down on the time required to hunt for food. Hamsters also have another adaptation that helps them save time. Their cheeks are designed to be both highly durable and highly flexible, able to expand outward like a balloon as the hamster stuffs its mouth. With the ability to store up to 20% of their body weight inside their mouths, hamsters are capable of stockpiling large quantities of food to take back to their dens.