Has your dwarf hamster been getting even rounder than usual? Have you noticed your pet showing less interest in its food or its wheel? Maybe you just want to switch out your hammie's diet. Dwarf hamsters require a specific type of diet, but unfortunately, not all food mixes meet their needs!
There have been more and more options on the market for dwarf hamster food. To save you time, we've researched and compiled a list of the very best foods for dwarf hamsters in 2022! Our favorite is Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix. It's filled with a balanced variety of nutritious foods, and it's also sugar-free.
Our list includes dwarf hamster foods that are formulated with seeds and pellets, as well as all-pellet mixes. Most hamsters prefer a little variety, but there are plenty that go crazy for pellets as well!
$5.99
Amount | 2.5 lbs. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No |
$5.80
Amount | 2 lbs. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No |
$5.52
Amount | 1 lb. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Pellets |
Types of seeds included | None |
Sugar or cane molasses included | No |
$14.99
Amount | 8 oz. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Pellets |
Types of seeds included | None |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No |
$6.99
Amount | 2 lbs. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, red lentil seeds |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No |
$8.99
Amount | 2.5 lbs. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, flaxseed, white millet |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No |
$6.99
Amount | 350 g. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Pellets |
Types of seeds included | None |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No |
$5.99
Amount | 2.5 lbs. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, flaxseed |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No |
$7.99
Amount | 2 lbs. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds |
Sugar or cane molasses added | Cane Molasses |
$11.46
Amount | 4.5 lbs. |
---|---|
Pellets or seeds | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, millet, safflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds |
Sugar or cane molasses added | Cane Molasses |
Image | 1 ![]() Higgins | 2 ![]() Supreme Petfoods | 3 ![]() Oxbow | 4 ![]() Henry's | 5 ![]() Sunseed | 6 ![]() Higgins | 7 ![]() Supreme Petfoods | 8 ![]() Vitakraft | 9 ![]() Kaytee | 10 ![]() Kaytee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Sunburst Gourmet Blend Hamster & Gerbil | Tiny Friends Farm Tasty Mix | Essentials Hamster & Gerbil Food | Healthy Hamster Diet | Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food | Vita Garden Hamster & Gerbil | Science Select Complete Hamster Food | Menu Premium Nutrition Hamster Food | Food from the Wild | Fiesta Hamster & Gerbil Food |
Features | Nourishing, Well-Balanced Mix Full of Flavor | Colorful Seed Mix Packed with Protein | Veterinary-Approved Healthy Mix for Picky Eaters | Home-Baked, Nutritious Food to Pamper Your Hamster | Protein-Rich Seed Mix Formulated for Dwarf Hamsters | Fiber-Filled Food Mix for Sensitive Stomachs | An All-Pellet Mix that Promotes Energy and Health | A Nourishing Mix that Promoted Dental Health | An Indulgent, Tasty Hamster Food | A Party Mix of Different Foods and Flavors |
Price | $5.99 | $5.80 | $5.52 | $14.99 | $6.99 | $8.99 | $6.99 | $5.99 | $7.99 | $11.46 |
Amount | 2.5 lbs. | 2 lbs. | 1 lb. | 8 oz. | 2 lbs. | 2.5 lbs. | 350 g. | 2.5 lbs. | 2 lbs. | 4.5 lbs. |
Pellets or seeds | Mixed | Mixed | Pellets | Pellets | Mixed | Mixed | Pellets | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed |
Types of seeds included | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds | None | None | Sunflower seeds, red lentil seeds | Sunflower seeds, flaxseed, white millet | None | Sunflower seeds, flaxseed | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds | Sunflower seeds, millet, safflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds |
Sugar or cane molasses added | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Cane Molasses | Cane Molasses |
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There are so many different hamster foods out there that claim to be delicious and healthy, but dwarf hamsters have specific nutritional needs. Let's take a look at how to make the best choice of food for your dwarf hamster.
As their name suggests, dwarf hamsters are smaller than other hamster types. Many hamster foods are formulated for hamsters with larger body types, so it’s best not to assume that any hamster food label is best for your pet.
Large hamster types like Syrian require more calories in their diet. Many hamster foods are formulated with bigger hamsters like these in mind. If you do choose one of these all-purpose hamster foods, be sure to feed your dwarf hamster the right amount of food for its size: dwarf hamsters only need one tablespoon of food per day.
If you’re worried that your dwarf hamster is already overweight, you can easily check this using a kitchen scale. The healthy weight range for an adult dwarf hamster is between 0.8-1.7 ounces (25-50 grams). If your hamster is overweight, you should ask your vet about diet foods.
Dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes and should have less sugar in their diets than other hamster breeds. Most foods formulated for dwarf hamsters already have lower levels of sugar, but some special formulas have even removed sugar entirely from the mix. These are even better for your hamster, as you can offer them sugar in the form of fruits and other healthy treats.
Seeds—especially sunflower seeds—are much-loved by hamsters, and hamster foods are almost always formulated with them. However, be sure not to buy mixes with too many seeds. Dwarf hamsters are also more prone to obesity than other hamster types, and eating too many sunflower seeds can impact their health negatively.
Finally, there are several ingredients to avoid entirely if you own a dwarf hamster. These are foods considered poisonous to dwarf hamsters: watermelon, apple seeds, jam, chocolate, almonds, avocado, onions, garlic, leeks, rhubarb, and pork.
Dwarf hamsters need to wear their teeth down on hard objects or food. They also need to maintain good jaw muscles. If you choose a hamster food that’s too soft, it will take a toll on your hamster’s dental health and hygiene. It’s a good idea to seek out formulas with hard pellets or other tough ingredients like dried corn.
Dwarf hamsters should only eat about a tablespoon of hamster food each day. If you only have one dwarf hamster but buy a larger bag of dwarf hamster food, some of the fresh ingredients might lead to spoilage before your hamster can get through the bag of food.
Hamsters get tired of their food pretty quickly. It’s recommended to switch out your hamster’s food every once in a while so they don’t get too picky. If you buy smaller bags of hamster food, this will be easier to do.
We recommend one- or two-pound bags of feed per hamster. These can last up to four months. Should you have leftovers beyond that, it might be good to store the remainders in your freezer, depending on the ingredients.
Most hamster foods have ingredients that are appealing to more than just your dwarf hamster—bugs and wild rodents might go after them, too! Here are some quick tips for storing your hamster’s food and getting rid of any unwanted pests.
Unfortunately, many hamster owners have reported finding bug infestations in their food right when they open it for the first time. This is also true of the hay, sawdust, and other bedding materials that are popularly used in hamster cages.
To rid your dwarf hamster food of crawly, unpleasant guests, simply put it in your freezer for between one to four days. If there are any bugs in your feed bag, they will die and contribute to your pet’s favorite dish.
Once you’ve purchased a bag of dwarf hamster food, it might be a good idea to transfer it from the original bag to an airtight container. Some hamster owners even recommend storing that container inside of a plastic tub if you keep your hamster products outside or in the garage.
The beauty of an airtight container is that it keeps bugs and other rodents out. It also serves to keep your hamster food fresh! Hamster food has an expiration date, too, and nobody wants rotten sunflower seeds.
We've tried to give you a few tips already to feed your dwarf hamster, but how much and how often to feed them is a whole different story. Watch the video above to find out how and when to feed your hamster.
We all love to spoil our little furry friends. Check out our other recommended products to pamper your dwarf hamster and other pets!
Dwarf hamsters have specific dietary needs. Not every all-purpose hamster food mix meets those needs, so consider your hamster's weight, teeth, and the variety of ingredients in the mix before you buy.
If you notice that your dwarf hamster's energy levels seem to be lower, that it's getting rounder around the belly, or that it isn't interested in its current food anymore, you might want to switch up its food. We hope this article will help you find the best food for your dwarf hamster!
Author: Erin Himeno
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