Hamster Foods
You will feed your hamster on hamster mixes that are available at pet shops and some large supermarkets. They contain a variety of sunflower seeds, cereal seeds and peanuts. The oily seeds should only be offered to your hamster in small quantities as they are very high in fat and can lead to obesity if they are the bulk of your hamsters diet. One option is to use commercial pellets that contain all the nutrients needed, but these can be expensive in the pet shops.
When choosing a container for your hamster food, look for one that is fairly heavy such as a heavyweight earthenware bowl. Chose a heavy bowl because your hamster will move it if it is light and moveable, the next thing you know they will have dragged their food bowl across the others side of their cage and it will be covered in bedding and other mess from the cage.
The best way to give your hamster water is via a water bottle that affixes to the side of the cage with the nozzle sticking through. The can be obtained at any mainstream pet shop.
Each day you should offer your hamster some fresh green food like a piece of apple that you can stick through the side of the cage bars for them to nibble on.
Hamsters hoard food naturally so it is up to you to keep an eye on what they are eating and provide them with enough food but not too much food. If they are given too much food they will carry it in their pouches back to their nest and hoard it away. Take care if they are taking fresh food back to their nest as the fresh foods can start to rot quickly. Check the bedding regularly as it can start to smell if left with food inside and could be harmful to your hamster’s health.
There are useful treats sold commercially in the pet shops that you can use to help tame your hamster by offering as treats. Something else to consider for your hamsters health are vitamin and mineral supplements that you can add to fresh green foods that you stick through the cage to provide added nutrition in their diet.