Fresh Foods

Fresh foods are part of a healthy diet for hamsters. Remember that quantities should be kept small and variety is important.

Leafy greens can be fed most days in small amounts. Other vegetables can be fed several days a week in small amounts. Fruits can be fed a couple times a week in small quantities. Seeds, nuts and legumes can be fed regularly in small amounts to supplement a hamster’s seed mix. Meats, proteins and insects can be fed in small portions on a regular basis for young hamsters and less often once they are fully grown and reduced even further after a year of age.

~ Leafy Greens and Herbs ~

Please ensure greens have been thoroughly washed prior to feeding
Pesticides can be particularly harmful to small animals

ArugulaCollard greensParsley
BasilDandelionRadicchio
Beet greensDillRosemary
Bok ChoyEndiveSpinach
CabbageKaleSprouts (such as bean of alfalfa)
ChardLavenderThyme
ChicoryLettuce (all except iceberg)Turnip greens
CloverMicrogreensWatercress

~ Vegetables ~

Please ensure vegetables have been thoroughly washed prior to feeding
Pesticides can be particularly harmful to small animals

ArtichokeCucumberPumpkin
AsparagusEdamameRhubarb (NO LEAVES)
BeetsGreen beansRutabaga
Bell pepperJicamaSquash (all varieties)
BroccoliMushrooms (human safe)Sweet potatoes (cooked)
Brussels sproutsOkraTurnips
CarrotsOnionWater Chestnuts
CauliflowerParsnipZucchini
CeleryPeas 
CornPotato (cooked only) 

~ Fruits ~

Please ensure fruits have been thoroughly washed prior to feeding
Pesticides can be particularly harmful to small animals

ApplesDatesOranges
ApricotDragon fruitPapaya
Avocado (no skin or pit)FigsPassion fruit
BananasGrapes (no seeds)Peaches (no pit)
BlackberriesGuavaPears
BlueberriesKiwiPineapple
BoysenberriesKumquatPlums/prunes (no pit)
Cherries (no pit)LycheePomegranate
CranberriesMango (no pit)Raspberries
CoconutMarionberriesStarfruit
Crab applesMelons (all)Strawberries
CurrantsNectarine (no pit)Tangerines

~ Seeds & Nuts ~

Tip: Feed in the shell to entertain your hamster and help grind their teeth

Almonds (human grade only)Filberts/HazelnutsPine nuts
Brazil nutsHemp seedsPistachios
Canary grass seedMilletPumpkin/Squash seeds
CashewsMiloSesame seeds
Chia seeds (soaked)PecansSunflower seeds
Flax seedsPeanutsWalnuts

~ Meats & Proteins ~

Meats should be cooked with minimal oil, salt or other seasonings
DO NOT FEED preserved, smoked, processed or canned meats

Butterworms (head crushed)Eggs (cooked)Tempeh
Chicken (cooked)Giant mealworms (heads crushed)Tofu
Cheese (NO moldy or soft varieties)Lean beef (cooked)Turkey
Cottage CheeseMealwormsWaxworms
Crickets (freeze dried only)Salmon (cooked)Yogurt (no artificial sweetener)
Dubia Cockroaches (small)Superworms (heads crushed) 

Personal opinion on feeding live insects:  Wild hamsters eat small animals and insects. I like the idea of providing live insects for them to hunt. I do not recommend catching wild insects to feed to your hamster as they may carry parasites and their safety and nutritional profile is unknown. Feeding live mealworms is controversial as some people are concerned that hamsters might attempt to store a live insect in their cheek pouches. In my experience hamsters instinctually remove the head of the insect first so I only crush or remove the heads of specific insects with large pincers as a safety precaution. 

~ Legumes & Grains ~

Can be fed cooked or uncooked, grains in whole form preferable
Flours are to be avoided

AmaranthCouscousQuinoa
BarleyFarrowRice
Beans (no kidney beans)LentilsRye
Black eyed peasMung beansSoybeans
BuckwheatOatsSpelt
BulgarPastasSplit Peas
ChickpeasPeanutsYeast (brewers and nutritional)