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For food for your Hamster or Dwarf Hamster you have come to the right place in our Hamster webshop . Here you will find different types and brands of hamster and dwarf hamster food for an attractive price. Little One, Bunny Nature, Witte Molen, Hope Farms, Versele Laga, Beaphar, etc. Ordering is quick and easy in our Hamster webshop.

Nutritional needs of the Hamster and the Dwarf Hamster

Hamsters and Dwarf Hamsters are granivores (seed eaters) . The diet of both Hamsters and Dwarf Hamsters consists mainly of seeds and a small amount of vegetable food in the form of herbs , but also animal proteins . Hamsters catch small insects in the wild, so it is good if their diet also contains animal proteins.

The nutritional needs of the different hamster species differ from each other:

Roborovski Dwarf Hamster: Seeds, very little animal food
Russian Dwarf Hamster: seeds, grasses and herbs, insects
Campbelli Dwarf Hamster: seeds, grasses and herbs, insects
Chinese Dwarf Hamster: seeds and no grasses or herbs. The protein content is nil.
Syrian Hamster (Golden Hamster): seeds, grains, insects

Digestive tract of the different hamster species and their differences

1. Roborovski dwarf hamster

The Roborovski dwarf hamster generally has a relatively short intestine and large intestine compared to other hamster species. Because of their dietary preference for seeds and grains, they may have efficient digestion in the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed. They have a relatively rapid intestinal transit time, which means that food is processed quickly through the digestive tract.

2. Russian dwarf hamster

The Russian dwarf hamster generally has a longer digestive tract compared to other hamster species. They have a relatively larger colon, which may indicate better fermentation of fiber and more efficient digestion of plant matter. Their diet consists of a wide variety of foods, including seeds, grains, vegetables and fruits.

3. Chinese dwarf hamster

The Chinese dwarf hamster has a relatively long and tortuous digestive tract, which can contribute to slow passage of food and efficient digestion. They have a relatively large caecum, a part of the large intestine where fermentation takes place. This may indicate that they are well adapted to a high fiber diet. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, grains, vegetables and insects.

4. Campbelli dwarf hamster

The Campbelli dwarf hamster has similar characteristics to the Russian dwarf hamster. They have a medium length of the digestive tract and an average size of the various digestive organs. They have a similar diet to the Russian dwarf hamster, with a mix of seeds, grains, vegetables and fruits.

5. Syrian hamster

The Syrian hamster generally has a larger digestive tract size compared to the dwarf hamster species. They have a relatively large stomach and intestines, which may indicate better food processing. Their diet consists of a wide variety of foods, including seeds, grains, vegetables, fruits and insects.

Hoarding the Hamster and the Dwarf Hamster

Hamsters & Dwarf Hamsters carry their food in their cheek pouches . What you see is that the hamster stuffs his food into his cheek pouches and quickly takes it to his house or pantry. Carrying food in the cheek pouches is also called 'Hoarding' . Thanks to the cheek pouch muscle, the food is held in the cheek pouch and the Hamster can transport it safely and quickly.

All in one chunk or a mixture?

If your hamster or dwarf hamster really starts to eat selectively , so that he only eats the tasty things, it may be wise to switch to an all-in-one kibble . The hamster can no longer eat selectively in this way. Each piece has its own composition. Hamsters need a few weeks to get used to different food. It is also possible that the hamster will eat less of the all-in-one chunk. This may have to do with the composition of the kibble. Some all-in-one chunks have a very full composition, meaning less needs to be eaten to meet the same nutritional needs.

Is Switching Hamster Food Good?

Hamsters are much less sensitive to a change in food than, for example, a guinea pig or rabbit. Changing food is much easier with these animals. However, we always recommend mixing your own food with the new food for a few days.

Coprophagy in Hamsters and Dwarf Hamsters

Hamsters produce two types of feces: dry, hard feces and soft, nutrient-rich feces called caecotrophs. Caecotrophs are produced in the caecum, a bulge in the large intestine. They contain undigested nutrients, such as fiber and protein.

When hamsters produce caecotrophs, they eat them directly from their anus. The purpose of this is to reabsorb the nutrients that have not been fully digested or absorbed during the first pass through the digestive system. In this way, hamsters maximize nutrient absorption and improve their digestive efficiency.

Coprophagy is a natural behavior in hamsters and plays an important role in their feeding strategy. It allows them to obtain essential nutrients that would otherwise be lost. However, it is important to ensure that hamsters are fed a balanced diet that contains sufficient nutrients so that they are not forced into coprophagy to compensate for deficiencies.

The Teeth of Dwarf Hamsters and Hamsters

Hamsters have specific characteristics when it comes to their teeth.

Incisors: Hamsters have two pairs of incisors at the front of their mouths, an upper pair and a lower pair. These incisors grow continuously throughout their lives. This constant growth process is necessary because the incisors wear out through chewing and gnawing. It helps keep the incisors sharp and prevents overgrowth.

Growth rate: A hamster's incisors grow on average about 2 to 3 millimeters per week. This is why hamsters need constant chewing material to wear down their teeth and control growth.

Chewing and gnawing: Hamsters have a natural need to chew and gnaw. This behavior is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and preventing dental problems. Chewing hard foods and chew toys helps wear down the incisors and stimulates blood flow to the area.

Dental problems: If a hamster's incisors do not wear properly, dental problems can develop, such as overgrowth, crooked teeth or even tooth breakage. These problems can be painful and hinder the hamster's ability to eat. Regular dental checks and provision of sufficient chewing material are important to prevent dental problems.

Diet: A hamster's diet plays an important role in the health of their teeth. Providing nutritious and fiber-rich foods helps in the natural wearing down of teeth. In addition, hamsters should always have access to fresh water to prevent dehydration, which can also affect their dental health.

It is important to check your hamster's teeth regularly for any abnormalities, overgrowth or other problems. If you notice any changes or are concerned about your hamster's dental health, consult a veterinarian with experience with small pets.

The Stomach of Hamsters and Dwarf Hamsters

Hamsters have a unique stomach structure adapted to their diet and digestive needs.

Stomach pouches: Hamsters have two stomach pouches, also known as "fermentation chambers" or "crop pouches". These bags are located at the beginning of the stomach and play a role in the digestion of fiber-rich foods, such as grass and hay. The stomach pouches act as a kind of fermentation chamber where bacteria break down fibers and release nutrients.

Pylorus: The pylorus is the part of the stomach that borders the small intestine. It regulates the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine. In hamsters, the pylorus is well developed to control the passage of food and optimize digestion.

Stomach acid: Hamsters have relatively low acidity in their stomach compared to some other species. This is because they are mainly herbivores and their diet consists mainly of plant matter. The lower acidity helps digest fiber-rich foods and facilitates the growth of bacteria necessary for the fermentation processes in the stomach pouches.

Capacity: Hamsters' stomachs generally have limited capacity because they are smaller animals. They tend to have smaller stomach sizes in relation to their body size. This means that hamsters can process smaller amounts of food at a time.

The intestines of Hamsters and Dwarf Hamsters

Hamsters have a complex digestive system, including the intestines, that allows them to absorb nutrients from their food.

Small Intestine: The small intestine is responsible for most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients. It consists of three parts: the duodenum, the duodenum and the ileum. These parts release enzymes and other digestive juices to further break down food and absorb nutrients.

Appendix and caecum: Hamsters have an enlarged appendix and caecum, indicating their ability to break down fiber-rich foods such as grass and hay. These parts of the intestine contain bacteria and microorganisms that can break down cellulose and carry out fermentation processes to release nutrients.

Large Intestine: The large intestine follows the small intestine and is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from undigested food waste. It also helps form and store stool before it is excreted.

Rectum and anus: The rectum is the last part of the intestinal tract where feces are stored before being excreted. The anus is the end of the digestive system where feces leaves the body.

Can hamsters digest fiber well?

Hamsters have a reasonable ability to digest fiber, but their ability is not as efficient as that of rabbits. Fiber-rich foods, such as hay, vegetables and leafy greens, are important for hamsters' gut health and digestion. It helps promote healthy intestinal flora, stimulates intestinal movement and contributes to good bowel movements.

Although hamsters can digest fiber, they are generally better adapted to a mixed diet that also includes grains, seeds and proteins. They have a shorter gastrointestinal tract compared to rabbits, which means they have less time to fully break down and ferment fiber. Therefore, in addition to fiber-rich foods, it is important to offer other foods that meet their nutritional needs.

Are hamsters granivores?

Granivores are animals that have a diet consisting mainly of seeds and grains. This also applies to many hamster species.

Hamsters have modified teeth and jaws that allow them to crunch and eat seeds and grains. They prefer foods such as sunflower seeds, oats, barley, wheat and other grains. These seeds and grains provide important nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, that are essential for hamsters' health and energy needs.

Although hamsters can also eat other plant materials such as vegetables, fruits and grass, seeds and grains generally make up the bulk of their diet. This makes them mainly granivores.

Are Hamsters Omnivores?

Hamsters can be considered both granivores and omnivores, depending on their specific diet and nutritional preferences. In general, hamsters have a plant-based diet and specialize in eating seeds, grains, and other plant materials. This makes them granivores.

However, some hamster species can also include small amounts of animal protein in their diet. This could, for example, be insects, larvae or small amounts of animal meat. Adding these animal proteins to their diet can serve as supplemental nutrition, but generally does not constitute a large part of their daily diet.