Pet Habitat South Africa

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23 Sep 2014

What Time Is Breakfast For Hamsters?

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Hamsters | Pet Care

It is easy to fall in love with a hamster, isn’t it? Sure, they’re not the most social creatures, especially when it comes to interacting with their human owners (though you can overcome this with enough contact with your pets). But, hamsters are just so little, adorable, inquisitive and busy. And that makes them a bundle of fun to watch. If only they shared more waking hours with us, right?

But, no matter how small these pets are, they still need regular care just as any larger animal would do. And, once you’ve filled their cage with plenty of interesting activities and snuggly places to sleep, then it’s time to worry about what your wonderful little hamsters need to eat.

So, Just What Do Hamsters Eat?

Hamsters eat the food that comes in packets with their name on it, right? Well, yes, though you should probably get a little more specific than that if you want to be the best hamster owner possible. For a start, it’s essential to note that hamsters aren’t vegetarians (as many people suspect). They are omnivores. And this means that they eat plants, and yes… animals. Now, that may be a little difficult to visualise at first. After all, it’s hard to see a hamster munching on meat the way a lion would, isn’t it? But remember that not all animal protein is the same. And hamsters don’t need a bit of beef to remain healthy. Instead, they like to crunch on mealworms and other small insects. So, when you buy hamster food (especially if you pick it up at the grocery store, which isn’t always the best place), then you need to ensure that there are animal proteins included in that packet.

And, what’s more, it is important to understand that not all hamsters eat the same food. Different breeds of hamsters require different compositions of necessary nutrients. So, you shouldn’t feed your dwarf hamsters foods that are meant for larger breeds. Not that this will necessarily harm them, but it’s not what they need. And, if you don’t give any creature optimum nutrition, then you are effectively shortening their life and jeopardising their overall health in the meantime. When shopping for food for your hamster, always check the label because it’s important to be as specific as possible.

What Time Is Breakfast for Your Hamsters?

Hamsters are nocturnal creatures. That’s why you’ll hear them running circles on their wheel all night, but you can’t get them to pay attention to you on a Saturday morning. They work the night shift, and it doesn’t matter how long you keep these pets in your home, nothing is going to change that. Nor would you really want to change the inherent sweetness and nature of these animals. (Incidentally, that’s one of the reasons hamsters make terrific pets for people that work away from home during the day and want a little company when they return home in the evening.)

However, because hamsters are nocturnal, their breakfast time isn’t the same as ours. Usually, it’s around 6 or 7 in the evening. And that is absolutely the best time to feed your hamsters. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, isn’t it? Typically, your hamsters will be awake when you go to feed them and ready to break their fast. If they aren’t yet awake, you may want to hold off on feeding your mini furries as they really don’t appreciate being woken up with a pair of hands in their face. And really, can you blame them?

And remember, you should only feed your pets the quantities specified by your vet and the pet food brand. Usually, this is about a tablespoon of food. Given the right food, it is unlikely that your pets will ever be under or overweight because they will only eat as much as they need. But, if there is any food left in the bowl when it is feeding time, you should either allow your hamster time to finish his food – or toss out the old food and replace it with new food. However, because hamster food is a mix of nutrients, you should always allow them time to finish off their last meals (even if they don’t seem to enjoy certain parts of it). It is the complete balance that provides your pets with all the vitamins, minerals and proteins that they need.

Don’t Forget the Water

As much as your hamsters need a balanced diet, they also need fresh water every day. Usually it is best to provide your hamsters with a bottle that attaches to the side of their cage rather than a bowl of water. This is simply because hamsters can be very active creatures, and they are bound to contaminate a water bowl when they play. And that just means more work on your part to refresh these bowls with fresh water. Remember that even though there may be water left in the bottle, you will need to empty it and replace it with new water as you’re serving your hamster breakfast. Otherwise, this water can become stagnant and stale; this can cause health issues. Additionally, don’t forget to clean your pets’ water bottle properly once a week. Use warm, soapy water with a brush and be sure to rinse well before refilling and attaching to the hamster habitat.

And, you shouldn’t hesitate to spoil your hamster with specially formulated gnaw blocks and treats. Not only will your pets love them, they also help to maintain proper oral hygiene. And that’s a real bonus. After all, hamsters may not live for an especially long time, but that’s no reason not to give them the happiest, healthiest life possible. Finally, don’t forget that your hamster isn’t capable of cleaning his home on his own. You’ll need to do this every week – especially if you notice that your pet is hoarding his food. Fresh is always best, even though he probably won’t change his ways. (But then, neither will you, right?)