Hamsters are adorable little furry pets who love to chew on almost anything we throw at them, and seeds seem to be one of their biggest preferences compared to other types of foods. While seeds contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and healthy fats, not all of them are ok to feed to hamsters. So let’s find out what type of seeds can hamsters eat safely.
As a general rule of thumb in feeding your little furry friend, seeds shouldn’t be a hamster’s main source of food so make sure you combine them with a variety of other foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts or grains for your hamster to grow healthy and happy.
What Type of Seeds Can Hamsters Eat
Contrary to what most people would believe, not all seeds are a healthy treat to your hamster, as some of them can also be dangerous and even poisonous to these little rodents.
In general, the most popular choice of seeds when it comes to hamsters are sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Sunflower seeds are one of the most important sources for all the necessary vitamins and fats a healthy hamster diet should contain. To maintain a balanced diet, sunflower seeds, and any seeds in general should be fed in moderation, as too much of them might also lead to your hamster developing some less desired symptoms. Too many sunflower seeds and your little furry friend will start to become larger, so be careful with them. Always remember to mix them with other types of foods.
Pumpkin seeds are another popular choice for a hamster’s diet, as they also provide lots of the nutrients these little rodents need. Take care when feeding them, as smaller hamsters are known to sometimes have troubles eating these. Also, be careful with balancing their diet.
Another good option are the packs of mixed seeds that you can find in pet stores, as those are thought specifically for a hamster’s dietary needs. They usually contain sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, flax, wheat and corn flakes.
What Seeds You Shouldn’t Feed Your Hamster
On the other hand, there are other seeds that not only they’re not good for hamsters, but can actually harm them.
In general, those are the seeds and pits of fruits. For example, apple and pear seeds contain something called cyanogenic acids, which can lead to a form of cyanide poisoning and in extreme cases can even cause the death of the hamster who had too much of them.
Grape seeds are also dangerous, as they contain oils and extracts that have a bad impact on the hamster’s system.
Always make sure you keep a balanced and varied diet and when not sure, double check and inform yourself on the seeds you want to feed to your tiny friend.