While you shouldnt give fresh food frequently or provide large amounts (due to hamsters tendency to hoard food), small chunks make good treats. Is it healthy for them? However, there are foods on the market that are made specifically for hamsters, like VitaSmart Complete Nutrition. A hamster doesnt need as much room as a guinea pig, but it surely needs more toys. You can hear a wheek when a guinea pig is happy and delighted, maybe when you get home and your pet welcomes you or maybe asks for food. Hamsters need a diet that is low in fiber in order to prevent digestive issues. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. However, a hamster is a nocturnal animal, which means that hamsters are not the best option for small children and any night person. Use the search! However, guinea pig treats may be fortified with Vitamin C, which can be harmful to you hammy if their diet contains too much of it. Never feed a hamster guinea pig muesli as part of its regular diet, as this will cause the hamster to become malnourished from a lack of nutrients. A hamster can not thrive on guinea pig food and vice versa. I recommend Kaytee Timothy Hayor our personal favourite Oxbow Western Timothy Hay. However, just because hamsters can eat rabbit or guinea pig food does not mean that it is the best option for them. Timothy hay is a good source of fiber, which is essential for pregnant hamsters. mypetguineapig.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. (700 to 1,100 grams), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW). And neither are your two pets. Can Hamsters Eat Guinea Pig Food - Guineapig Experts Lets take a look at the nutrient requirements of the hamster and guinea pig and discover what does a hamster eat, what cant hamsters eat and what is the best food for hamsters. Breeding & Reproduction Guide, 5 Best Sources of Iron for Dogs (& How Much They Need Daily), 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures), How Do Cats Show Affection? While it may seem like they would be able to eat the same things, there are actually some important differences to consider. If you are unsure about what to feed your hamster, always consult with your veterinarian or a qualified animal nutritionist. All information published on this website is provided in good faith and for general use only. Hamsters are omnivores, which means they eat vegetables, fruits and meat. What this essentially means is that guinea pigs are naturally and biologically driven to eat plant matter in their wild habitats. Make sure to decide whether you prefer a hamster or guinea pig before you decide to buy a cage. Nahf will not be liable for any losses and/or damages incurred with the use of the information provided. No more searching for answers that may or may not be accurate.We provide vet-approved information on feeding your pet. There are a variety of hay available for small animals like guinea pigs and hamsters. While bird food isnt the most nutrient-rich option for hamsters, it can make up a small part of their diet. A good quality pellet food designed specifically for hamsters is always a safe bet. You can supplement it if your hamster is having digestive issues or if a vet recommends it! A hamsters daily food intake should mainly come from hamster food, with only 10% of the food being vegetables, fruits, seeds, grains, or meat. You will need to experiment a bit to find out what your hamster likes to eat, as well as what he is able to digest without having any problems. We can not guarantee its completeness or reliability so please use caution. Rabbits While they are young, rabbits need to consume alfalfa and other legume hay for the nutrients, calories, and other benefits it provides to their teeth and digestive tract. Hamsters Don't Eat Guinea Pig Food | Penelope's Rescue Story | Munchies Place. They can, and do eat, both plant and animal matter. You can also let it eat grass, but only if it is away from traffic and dangerous toxins. Hamsters, on the other hand, are a lot more versatile in their feeding. Then you might be tempted to give your hamster some of your guinea pigs food. Feed them a lot of broccoli and spinach and by doing so, you will prevent damage to their health and reduce the risk of scurvy. If youve ever wondered whether hamsters and guinea pigs can share the same food, youre not alone. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. But it is important to remember that a little bit goes a long way! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Please get someone to give you a lift to the store. A hamster might squawk when you are holding it in the wrong way and its trying to alert you about it. 9. Can Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Live Together? Facts & FAQ Whats good for a guinea pig is usually good for a hamster, and vice versa. Luckily, it is not hard to keep a hamster well-fed! Hamsters and guinea pigs differ physically as well. Hamsters and guinea pigs are similar pets with different dietary needs. If the food is too big, your hamster may have trouble eating it and could even choke on it. Guinea pigs mostly eat hay, supplemented by pellets, vegetables and fruit. Guinea pigs are generally 2-4 times bigger compared to hamsters. Required fields are marked *. Despite being some of the cutest little critters ever, guinea pigs and hamsters should never be kept together! For that reason, you should have more than one guinea pig in a cage. What Do Guinea Pigs Eat? - The Spruce Pets | All You Need to Know! 6. If youre keeping both a guinea pig and hamster, you may even be tempted to buy just guinea pig food for convenience or savings. Because they are so small, hamsters can become overweight quickly if they are given too many treats. However, rabbits, While hamsters shouldn't eat seafood too often, a small amount as an occasional treat can be beneficial. Ryan loves to research and stay up-to-date on the latest trends, gadgets, and software. Hamsters are able to digest both plant-based and meat- based proteins without any problems. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to reduce the amount of guinea pig food your hamster is eating and to make sure it is getting enough of its own food. Hamsters require a diet that is high in fiber and low in protein, fat, and sugar. You May Also Like: Can Hamsters Eat Dog Food? As a general rule, guinea pigs should not eat the same food as hamsters and gerbils. Their cheek pouches stretch from the cheek to the shoulder. I'm here to share my knowledge and experience with you. No, hamsters should not eat Guinea Pig food. Hamsters and guinea pigs have vastly different dietary needs, and . Fiber is especially important for keeping a hamsters digestive system healthy. These could potentially be damaged by the sharper parts of the guinea pig food. This is dangerous, as hamsters weigh only a few ounces; dwarf hamsters are even lighter. A good option is commercial hamster food pellets, which can be found at most pet stores. Guinea pigs can eat hamster food, but under limited amounts. You can cuddle them while you watch TV. No, a hamster should not eat guinea pig food. Absolutely, it provides fibre, but unlike other small mammals, they do not need it. On the other hand, hamsters may develop some serious diseases. For some excellent, healthy treat choices that have been approved by a vet, check out this article onhamster treats. Their menu includes a large amount of vegetables . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Can Hamsters Eat Guinea Pig Food | Is it Healthy or Safe? - FeedingMyPet When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Many pet owners ask this question, as both animals are small, furry and cute! As well as their own four rescue dogs, she also fosters dogs for re-homing, providing them with love and training while searching for their forever homes. What Is The General Difference of a Hamster vs Guinea Pig? They dont use their paws to climb and pull themselves up. This is the most serious illness of hamsters which you should treat quickly or else it may be fatal. Captive hamsters don't need to forage for food, but most still like the taste of nuts.. This means that guinea pig muesli, which is often fortified with Vitamin C, is not appropriate for hamsters. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Hamster Food? [Are They Interchangeable?] - Pet Educate Can guinea pigs and hamsters live together? - GuineaDad Can hamsters eat guinea pig food when they are pregnant, or not? The cost of the cage and the cage size can be a bigger issue. Most guinea pig food is made of Timothy hay, pellets, vegetables, and water. Hamsters will need food that has at least 15% Crude Protein. Guinea pig food is a good option for hamsters because it meets all of their nutritional needs. Another risk of feeding hamsters guinea pig food is that guinea pigs are much larger than hamsters. A veterinarian visit should take place at the first sign of deficiencies. In general, its best to stick to feeding your hamster the type of hay that is specifically meant for them. 35% Off at Chewy.com + Free Shipping There are a lot of misconceptions about what hamsters can and cannot eat. Hamster Food List | Feeding Your Hamster | Hamsters - Omlet Although having a taste wont hurt them, and they probably wont suffer any harm from eating guinea pig food for a day or two, hamsters still have specific dietary needs and wont survive with guinea pig food. To learn more about what you should feed your hamster, check out our article onwhat hamsters can eat. This is what you need to know: To put it shortly, no, hamsters should not eat guinea pig food. Hamsters are very cute, cuddly creatures that many people enjoy keeping as pets. Their teeth are constantly growing, so they need things to chew on. Please discuss your pets specific dietary needs (based on his breed, weight, age, and health status) with a veterinarian. On the other hand, hamsters are quite enthusiastic about climbing and they love to scale up the bars in the cage. Signs of nutrient deficiencies include dry and frail fur, lethargy, dehydration, and disinterest in playing with toys or interacting with family members. They dont run around as much as hamsters do, so your child will have a more fun time playing with them. Have you run out of hamster food? Hamsters also need fresh, clean water. This is because plant-based proteins contain more nutrients and fiber than their meat-based counterparts. Hay contains fiber and that is how it manages the weight of these creatures. (And How? However, if youre thinking about having either of them as a pet you should know that they differ in several characteristics. It does provide some nutritional value to them, mostly minerals and fibers. While hamsters store food in their cheeks, guinea pigs cannot and need a different type of food that is high in fiber to prevent diseases such as constipation and obesity. One interesting fact about hamsters is that they have pouches in the cheeks which they use to store some food for later. Can Hamsters Eat Hay? - Do They Need? - Food Maniaa Most guinea pig owners take their pets for an annual wellness exam. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Guineapigpro.com is #1 Resource for Guineapig Lovers. No, Hamsters cannot eat Guinea pig food.