Treats for hamsters (and other rodents)

ign="center">treat for your hamster or small animal.
Treats for hamsters (and other rodents)Nuts, seeds and grains
Small animals love food, especially treats. Giving yourNuts, seeds and grains are great for small animals as
small pet these extra treats is a great way to add tothey help to grind down teeth and provide essential
its staple food and keeps it healthy and happy. Youoils and fats for healthy eyesight, growth and skin.
should always keep in mind that treats should beThe majority of foods provide these already, so
given moderately, especially sugary or fatty foods.many are unneeded as treats. However if your pet is
When giving treats you should also think about whaton a pellet diet or you just want to spoil them these
sort of things your pet should and shouldn’tcan be an excellent choice.
eat, for example chinchillas should avoid sugary foods.Peanuts, in the shell or not, make a great treat that
Here are some things small animals will love to eat:most small animals will go wild for. However be
Fresh Fruits and vegetables:careful not to give to many as your pet may decide
Small animals love to eat vegetables and theto eat only peanuts, which is bad for it’s
occasional fruit; it not only gives them a yummyhealth. Hamsters have a lot of fun de-shelling the
treat but also helps keep their teeth short and fur‘monkey nut’ variety and this helps
shiny. Vegetables such as carrot, peas andkeep their teeth healthy too! Make sure to buy nuts
sweetcorn make excellent choices. Make sure to givefor either wild birds or hamsters so that they are
in moderation, one pea or sweet corn is enough for afree of salts, preservatives or anything harmful.
hamster, and the end of a carrot will make an ampleSimilar to peanuts is the sunflower seed, which can
treat, ensure you take out any uneaten food so thatbe mixed into food or given separately, small animals
it won’t go mouldy and pose a threat tolove taking the husk off of these, but just like
your pet.peanuts only feed a small amount and make sure
In the fruit department you can give small slices ofthey are safe for your little critter!
fresh apple, watermelon or pear, half a grape orHanging snack bars
strawberry, or small amounts of berries such asMade from grains, seeds and other tasty treats,
blackcurrant, cranberries or blueberries.these bars of yummy food can be hung from cages
Don’t feed high acidic foods such asor décor within the enclosure. They not only
oranges or lemon and avoid sugary foods such asprovide lots of tooth gnawing treats, but lots of
fresh banana. Also remember with both fruits andexercise too. They can come in all sorts of flavours,
veg to wash it thoroughly as there may be harmfulfrom honey and nut to rose petal, strawberry,
pesticides or residue from them.seeds, banana and fruit.
Dried fruits and vegetables:Chocolate for hamsters?
Many pet stores will stock dried fruit and vegetablesYou should never feed your hamster chocolate, as it
for your small animal. These are excellent choices, ascontains many chemicals that are harmful for your
they have no preservatives or extras added like youlittle pet. However many treats are sold as
might find in supermarket brands intended for‘hamster chocs’ these are actually
humans!a blend of ingredients that while high in fat and sugar
Another positive to these is many of the fruits aremake really interesting and tasty treats. They should
safe for your small animals to eat dried and thereforebe given moderately, as the fats and sugars will give
they come in a staggering range. They alsoyour hamster energy but too many could make them
won’t go mouldy so can be placed in theunhealthy.
food bowl to zing up your pet’s normalThese treats are often found in
food.‘chocolate’ flavour, milk flavour or
Varieties come separate or mixed usually witheven sometimes honey flavour. You may also find
coconut, peanuts or popcorn! Some commonthem in fruit flavours, including berry, strawberry or
varieties include: Dried banana, dried strawberries,even vegetable flavours such as carrot or leek!
dried kiwi, dried papaya, pineapple or passion fruit,Crunchy stuff
dried leek, dried tomato, dried artichoke, driedCrunchy stuff is important as it helps wear down
potato, dried apple, dried coconut and raisins.those ever growing teeth! There is a whole array of
Herbs and plantsbiscuit treats, some filled with yummy apple or other
Some plants and herbs can be dangerous to your petfruits and some that are just flavoured like fruits,
so you should always find out first, generally if invegetables or cheese. You can also give very, very
doubt avoid it! You should always wash any freshsmall pieces of brown bread toast and the occasional
herbs or plants before giving them to your pet! Manydog biscuit is also well appreciated!
small animals will enjoy nibbling fresh grass and evenOther treats
more enjoy dandelion leaves.There are some other types of treat that you can
Dried herbs and flowers are often sold as treats forgive. Some are occasional and others are a little
hamsters and other small animals and are generallydifferent, all of them will provide fun and enjoyment
safer than feeding your pet plants you find. Alsoto your pet.
because they are dried you don’t have toMealworms
worry about them going off. You can mix them inDried mealworms, given either separate or mixed
with the dry food to make it more interesting orwith food provide protein and fun for your hamster.
provide a separate bowl for the mixture.Don’t give too many!
Some common herbs are Salvia, Parsley, Thyme,Popcorn
Bulbiferous Sunflower (Topinambur), Marjoram, WillowPlain popcorn, not the sort you get from the
Bark, Milfoil, Linden flower, Goats Rue, Briar Rose,supermarket, gives a fun treat. You can even buy
Dandelion, Chicory, Cornflower, Plantain, Mint, Nettle,microwavable maize sticks to make your own
Chamomile, Marigold and occasionally Birch Treehamster treats at home!
Leaves. All of which create a great and interesting