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Can hamsters eat dog food?
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Source: truepetstory.com

Those small, overly cute beings, hamsters, always make us happy with their hyperactivity and small little teeth. Like other animals, hamsters need attention and proper nutrition to develop well. Hamsters are herbivores and therefore they like cereals and fruits the most, so they need to be provided with a diet that contains these ingredients. Their main food is cereals and other plant foods, such as hazelnuts or walnuts.  Sometimes the meal should be enriched with fruit, celery, carrot, lettuce, or boiled egg.

One of the most common questions floating around the Internet is whether hamsters are allowed to eat dog food. Everyone agrees that dog food is one big NO! Unlike hamsters, dogs are carnivores that get their energy from meat. This way, they get their daily dose of proteins and fats which are needed for their proper growth and development. On the other hand, hamsters are omnivores - they need seeds and vegetables to meet their daily nutritional needs. To avoid confusion - dogs also eat vegetables, but to a much lesser extent than hamsters. The requirements for mineral contents and vitamins differ between these two animal species, so their diet and the way they satisfy their appetites also differ.

If you feed your hamster with dog food, it can be harmful to its body. You must thought there was no such thing as a vitamin overdose? You are wrong – vitamin OD can be a side effect if you feed your hamster with dog food (which contains a higher percentage of mineral materials and vitamins due to the size and build of the dog). One more thing is important to note - the digestive system of a hamster is different from a dog's, which is another reason for your hamster to stay away from it.

What happens to dog treats? Are they ok for hamsters? These are meals that contain soy and cereals - which is adequate food for your hamster. Although they are not overly nutritious for dogs, they are closest to a natural hamster diet. However, this type of food should be taken in moderation. Do not replace hamster food with dog treats, but use them as a supplement to their diet. Also, the treats are good for their teeth because of their hardness and durability. It will take a little hamster day to master one dog treat - so don't overdo it. It is best to stick to a standard diet for hamsters, with the occasional addition of dog treats. This way your hamster will grow properly.

We have seen how dog food affects these small furry animals. Surely you are now wondering if they are allowed to eat the food of other animals? The safest answer is - no, don't burden your pet's stomach and teeth with food that doesn't suit him. However, some other small animals nurture a similar diet as hamsters. These are rodent animals (gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.) that feed mostly on grains and vegetables, just like hamsters. But there are big differences here too. Guinea pigs, for example, have much higher needs for vitamin C so their pellets are infused with it. Hamsters don’t need vitamin C supplements, so if you feed them their food, you risk poisoning them. The best way is to respect the specific needs of your pet and use a commercial food mix that is specifically designed for their diet. You can find detailed lists of foods that are allowed (or forbidden in their diet) on the Internet.

We hope this text has helped you better understand their needs. As you have seen, hamsters and dogs have a different digestive system which is also reflected in their food choices. Also, their jaws and teeth say a lot about what type of food is appropriate. Unlike dogs, the hamster’s jaw is small, the teeth are tiny, except for the two front incisors with which they bite and chew on their food. That’s why they need much less meat and much more grains and vegetables.