Nibbly
The base: hamster pellets or seed mix
Most of the diet should be hamster pellets or a seed mix made for hamsters, which give protein, fibre and vitamins in the right balance. A dwarf hamster needs just one or two teaspoons a day, depending on its size and how active it is.
With a mix, watch that it does not pick out its favourites (usually the sunflower seeds) and leave the rest; pellets avoid that. Choose one with no added sugar: Russian dwarf hamsters, Campbell's especially, are prone to diabetes.
Vegetables, fruit and protein
- Vegetables, a teaspoon a day: broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, courgette, pepper or leafy greens such as endive. Carrot in moderation, as it is sweet.
- Fruit, very little and rarely: a raisin-sized piece one to three times a week (apple without pips, pear, strawberry).
- Protein now and then: unsalted boiled egg or dried insects for rodents.
Take away fresh food it has not eaten within a few hours: it goes off, and hamsters hoard it in their larder.
Foods dwarf hamsters must never eat
Never give them:
- chocolate, sweets, biscuits or anything sugary;
- onion, garlic, leek and chives;
- citrus fruit (orange, tangerine, lemon), grapes and rhubarb;
- raw potato and raw beans, avocado and bitter almonds;
- salty, spicy or seasoned food, cured meats and food made for people;
- iceberg lettuce: it has almost no nutrition and can cause diarrhoea.
Sunflower seeds, nuts and treats
Hamsters love sunflower seeds and peanuts, but they are very fatty. Use them as treats: one or two seeds a day at most, ideally from your hand, which builds its trust in you.
Water
It must always have clean water, in a bottle or a heavy bowl. Change it every day and check the bottle has not clogged.
How your hamsters eat in Nibbly
In Nibbly you choose what goes in the bowl, and each food does what it would in real life:
- Seed mix: balanced, keeps its weight.
- Veggies: light, with a little water; they slim a chubby hamster down.
- Sunflower seeds: they love them, but they are fattening.
A hamster at its ideal weight weighs about 35 grams. Overfed, it gets chubby; left hungry, it loses weight and falls ill. Treats from your hand also help you teach it habits.
Adopt your hamsters in NibblyFrequently asked questions
How much food does a dwarf hamster need a day?
One or two teaspoons of hamster pellets or seed mix, plus a teaspoon of vegetables. If food is always left over, give a little less; if its larder is empty, a little more.
Can dwarf hamsters eat fruit?
Yes, but very little: a raisin-sized piece one to three times a week. They are prone to diabetes, so sugary fruit should only be an occasional treat.
Can dwarf hamsters eat sunflower seeds?
Yes, as a treat. They are very fatty, so one or two a day at most. Giving them from your hand helps your hamster trust you.
What if my hamster stops eating?
Check it has water and that its food is fresh. If it goes a day without eating, loses weight, has diarrhoea or seems listless, take it to an exotic-pet vet: in such a small animal, problems move fast.