Can Hamsters Eat Broccoli & What to Feed Your Hamster

Not All Hamsters Are Alike

While they may look similar, not all hamster personalities are the same. Some hamsters prefer to live with other hamsters whereas others are content to live a more peaceful solitary life. Some hamsters are larger with flat fur and others are smaller with fluffy fur. No matter which breed of hamster you choose they all make great pets for people who live in small spaces.

Some of the different breeds of hamster you will find at your local pet store include dwarf hamsters, Chinese hamsters, Syrian hamsters and golden hamsters.

Handling Your Pet Hamster

It's important to take some time to get your hamster used to being handled. The more often you hold your pet the more accustomed to being handled your hamster will become. Hamsters that are not handled gently and often will typically bite out of fear. Be sure not to hold your hamster too tightly and avoid bouncing them around. Also avoid suddenly picking up your hamster while they are sleeping, doing so could lead to a bite.

Hamster Behavior

Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning that just as you are sitting down to dinner, they are waking up and enjoying some breakfast. It also means that as you sleep, your hamster will be scurrying around exploring their cage and running on their wheel. 

Once your hamster has had a little time to adjust to their new surroundings it is essential to allow them out of their cage once a day for supervised exercise. In the evening before you head to bed is a good time for this. Keep your pet in one room (with the door closed) or a screened-off area that’s been secured. It's important to note that hamsters don’t have good eyesight, so be sure to keep your pet away from stairs and do not allow them to run on tabletops. A fall could injure your pet.

When allowing your pet time outside of their cage, keep all electrical cords tucked well out of their reach!

Choosing & Placing Your Hamster's Cage

There are hundreds of styles of hamster cages available from the most basic to extravagant highrise models with multiple levels. While your pet does not require an expensive highrise model they will need a cage that is at least 16" x 10.5" x 10.5". That said, it is best to provide your new pet with the largest hamster-appropriate cage that you can afford and that will fit into your space. Larger Syrian hamsters will especially need more room, but all hamsters need to have enough space to scurry around at night playing and exercising.

The majority of hamster cages are plastic on the bottom with a wire cage on top and a wire lid or door that latches. Glass-sided aquariums with well-fitting wire tops can also be used to house hamsters provided that they are large enough. 

Place your hamster's cage in a safe location away from electrical cords, and out of cold drafts or direct sunlight. Also, be sure to keep your hamster's cage out of reach from other pets in your home.

Other Items Your Hamster Will Need to Be Happy

To begin, your hamster will need a water bottle to drink from and an easy-to-clean food bowl. It is essential to provide your pet with food and fresh clean water every day!

Hamsters like to hide when they are sleeping and will make themselves a cozy little nest tucked into a hiding spot. Your local pet supply store will offer a range of cute hiding places appropriate for hamsters such as mini flower pots, little houses and dens that will help to make your pet feel safe and secure.

Hamsters also love to play and keep busy, so provide your pet with plenty to do. Toilet paper tubes, rodent-safe toys, and an exercise wheel will to help keep your pet's mind active and allow for sufficient exercise. 

A chew toy to keep their teeth healthy is essential. Unpainted and untreated wood, twigs, a dog biscuit or other hamster-approved item from the pet store are ideal. Hamster teeth grow continually and chewing helps to keep their teeth at just the right length.

Bedding for Your Hamster's Cage

Bedding provides warmth and comfort for your little pet, but also needs to work well at absorbing moisture and odors. Your hamster will spend most of their time in contact with their bedding material so it's important to choose something that's safe too.

Line your hamster's cage with at least 2 inches of bedding to provide a soft home for your pet, and absorb odors and mess. You should scoop out wet and soiled bedding every day, and give your hamster's cage a thorough clean once a week.

To clean your hamster's cage place your pet somewhere safe and supervised then throw out all of the used bedding, scrub down the cage with warm, soapy water and rinse and dry before adding fresh clean bedding. Before returning your pet's toys, bed, water bottle and bowl to the cage you will need to wash and rinse those too. 

Washing your hamster's cage should be done outside, in the bathtub, or in a laundry sink, not in the kitchen where food is regularly prepared.

What to Feed a Hamster

So, what can hamsters eat? Feed your pet a good quality diet consisting of rodent pellets, grains, seeds and veggies to help keep them healthy. Rodent pellet food can be found at your local pet supply store.

Your hamster should have fresh clean water and healthy food available at all times.

Pellet Food

Hamster pellet food should contain approximately: 

• 15-25% protein 
• 35-40% carbohydrates 
• 4-5% fat and 
• 5% crude fiber 

Your vet can help you to determine the right amount of food to meet your hamster’s caloric needs based on their size and overall health. That said, a good guideline is to feed your hamster about ⅛ - ⅓ cup of pellets per day. 

Seeds to Supplement Only

Do not feed your hamster a diet consisting of only seeds. Hamsters fed only seed will have nutritional deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, specifically vitamin E and calcium. Seed diets also contain a lot of sugar and fat, which may lead to diabetes and obesity.

Fruits & Veggies to Feed Your Hamster

You can also supplement your hamster’s diet with vegetables and small amounts of fruit as treats. But remember that their primary food should be pelleted rodent food. 

Supplement the rodent food every 2 or 3 days with small amounts of fresh fruit or veggies.

When fed in small amounts, every couple of days, the following fruits and vegetables are generally considered safe for hamsters:

Feeding Your Hamster Broccoli

Strangely, a question that vets often get asked is, "Can hamsters eat broccoli?". Yes, broccoli is generally considered safe for hamsters but, like all fresh veggies, broccoli should only be given in very small amounts and only occasionally.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Hamster

There are some foods that should not be fed to your hamster.

Citrus fruits are not recommended for hamsters (including oranges) and it is best to avoid dried fruit since these are very high in sugar and could cause health issues. 

Never feed your hamster candy, chocolate, onions, junk food or uncooked beans! 

Very Occasional Treats for Hamsters

Like junk food for people, there are a number of foods that should be considered a special treat and only given to hamsters very rarely or not at all. These food include:

• Grapes (very high in sugar)
• Whole wheat bread
• Sugar-free cereal

Signs of Illness & Injury

Like other pets, hamsters can sometimes become ill or be injured. Signs that your pet hamster isn't feeling well include dull-looking eyes, overgrown teeth, matted fur, weight loss, shaking, runny nose and diarrhea. Respiratory illnesses producing cold-like symptoms are common in hamsters, including bacterial pneumonia, which they can catch from humans or other pets in your household. 

If you think your hamster is sick—seek help immediately! 

Finding a Hamster Vet Near You

Hamsters, like any pet, may get sick from time to time, and not all vets care for rodents. That's why it's important to know where your closest hamster vet is, in case you need them in a hurry. 

Locate a vet near you that has training in the treatment of exotic companion animals, and contact the animal hospital before you need them to be sure that they are able to treat your hamster if illness or injury strikes.

At Northgate Veterinary Clinic, we treat small exotic pets often called 'pocket pets' including hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, and gerbils.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.