How to feed a Djungarian hamster at home, what Djungarians eat, nutrition table (list: what can and cannot be)

A simple truth for those who have a Djungarian hamster at home: nutrition is the basis of his health and longevity. Those who believe that the hamster eats everything are mistaken. The rodent is unreasonable, and he will really eat everything that the owner offers him, but this can end badly. If the owner is interested in keeping the pet healthy, it is better to find out in advance how to feed the Djungarian hamster at home.

Body features

Biology

The homeland of these animals is dry steppes and semi-deserts. Their digestive tract is not adapted to fatty, high-calorie, sweet foods. What dzhungars eat in nature is a guideline for the proper feeding of decorative pets.

Wild hamsters feed mainly on grains and seeds. In autumn, the thrifty rodent seals the entrance to the hole, so in winter only dry food from stocks is available to them. In the spring they feed on green grass, in the summer, if possible, they feast on berries and insects.

The diet of the Djungarian hamster should consist of 65% carbohydrates, 16% protein, and 4-5% fat.

Like other rodents, dzhungariks grow teeth all their lives. It is necessary to give the animal the opportunity to grind them.

Metabolism

The main distinguishing feature of the dzhungariks is their tiny size. This explains the high metabolic rate. The metabolism of dwarf hamsters is very fast, they should not starve. Compared with larger counterparts, the jungarik is very voracious – it eats up to 70% of its own weight per day.

Predisposition to diseases:

• diabetes;
• obesity.

Overeating is the most common cause of metabolic disorders in hamsters. Do not feed your pet just for fun, or because he gets up on his hind legs. Animals already choose the most delicious components from the feed, which are also the most high-calorie. In a confined space, care and feeding should be aimed at preventing excess weight.

The animal must be let out for a walk, stimulate active games, put a running wheel in a cage. Djungarian hamsters are fed a maximum of twice a day.

Diabetes mellitus is the result of obesity and genetic predisposition. Campbell’s hamsters often suffer from this disease, but the difficulty is that in pet stores they interbreed uncontrollably with Dzungarian ones. The owner, acquiring a rodent not from professional breeders, cannot be sure that he does not have a hybrid.

A purposeful exclusion from the menu of the Djungarian hamster of food rich in sugar will only benefit the pet.

The composition of the diet

Here is what Djungarian hamsters eat at home:

• grain mixture (dry food);
• succulent feed (greens, grass, fruits, vegetables, berries);
• protein feed (dietary meat, eggs, insects);
• vitamin supplements;
• mineral stone, branches of fruit trees.

The basis of nutrition is industrial food for dwarf hamsters, a mixture of cereals and fresh drinking water in the public domain. On such a diet, a hamster can live for a very long time, even without additional treats.

It is important to observe the measure: fruits should not make up more than 5% of the jungarik’s diet, even allowed ones give a piece no more than 1 cm. Vegetables are given every other day, and berries – no more than once a week.

Any new food is introduced into the diet in tiny portions, with care. Change dry food to a mixture of another manufacturer, too need to gradually, within a week to avoid indigestion.

Food table: what is possible for Djungarian hamsters and what is not

Important! Even allowed products should be given with special frequency, to find out more, read the article to the end.

Common sense will tell you how to feed a hamster jungarik at home.

Food should not contain SALT, SUGAR, SPICES, be too greasy or fried.

Any food from the human table is prohibited, but especially confectionery (cookies, ice cream, chocolate, gozinaki, honey, muesli).    

Banned Foods Can Be Deadly  

The list of what cannot be very extensive, in fact, there are much more prohibited products than can be specified in one article. But the list of what can be given to Djungarian hamsters from food is also impressive, so there is no point in experimenting with unsafe foods. The ban may seem unreasonable, but there is always a reason.

Risk of poisoning

Some food familiar to us is a real poison for dzhungars. Almonds and apricot kernels contain hydrocyanic acid, watermelon accumulates nitrates, honeysuckle and elderberry cause suffocation and convulsions. Potatoes may contain solanine. The problem is in the small size of the animal and the sensitive organism. Intoxication is caused even by a microscopic dose of a hazardous substance in the eyes of a person.

cause constipation

Any astringent products (persimmon) slow down intestinal motility due to the high content of tannins. Constipation is very dangerous for rodents.

cause diarrhea

Products that irritate the digestive tract or have a laxative effect should not be given to jungars. This is hot ginger and any spices that are found in human food (paprika, salt).

cause fermentation

Intestinal distention leads to the death of a rodent in a matter of hours. Foods that provoke gas formation include cabbage, black bread, and beans.

Too fat

The liver of a rodent is not able to cope with too fatty foods. Even seeds, which are related to what is possible for dzhungars, are given in moderation, and products such as butter, fried food are completely excluded. Too many fats contain avocados.

Injure cheek pouches

Sometimes the product itself is not dangerous. But given the small size and habits of the pet, it causes problems. Dry pasta should not be given to a djungarian hamster, not because wheat is dangerous, but because it can injure the cheek pouches by stuffing spaghetti there.

Abscesses and inflammation of the sac are a serious problem that requires treatment. The owners, faced with such a nuisance, even pre-clean the seeds from the husk before feeding the jungars.

Allergy Risk

Essential oils, brightly colored fruits, vegetables and berries can cause allergies. If, after strawberries, the hamster’s eyes flow, the skin turns red and itches, it should be excluded.

Sometimes the product is banned for several reasons: the cheese is both salty, fatty and rich in lactose, which is very difficult to digest.

Rules for feeding permitted products

The diet of Djungarian hamsters should be varied: the same foods should not be given day after day (except for dry food). It is optimal if every day the hamster receives dry, juicy and protein food. You can not arrange a “vegetable” or “meat” day.

Dzungarians love to stock up, so it is not recommended to give treats in large pieces: the product will deteriorate, rot, being buried in the house. Inventories are audited regularly. A piece of 1 cm in size will be optimal for a dwarf hamster.

How often can I feed a jungarik with dry food supplements

• fruits and berries – 1 time in 2 weeks;
• greens – every other day, better dried;
• vegetables – white or green every day (zucchini, Jerusalem artichoke, cucumber, turnip) the rest (pumpkin, carrots) – 2 times a week;
• nuts and seeds – rarely, as a treat;
• meat, eggs – once a week.

The recommendations do not take into account special needs: for example, a pregnant female can eat protein food 2-3 times a week.

All products must be fresh and of high quality.

When feeding vegetables and fruits, preference is given to seasonal products. All succulent feeds are not only thoroughly washed, but they try to get rid of the “chemical” component (nitrates, pesticides). The greens are soaked, the apple is peeled.

In winter, you will inevitably think about what to feed the jungarik: overseas tasteless tomatoes are scary to eat yourself. A good alternative to greenhouse vegetables will be sprouts of oats, wheat, sunflowers, greens frozen since summer.

Choice of dry food

Nutrition jungariks for 80-90% consists of dry food. The hamster should receive it every day, this is the basis of the diet. Djungarian hamsters eat a little (about a tablespoon of food per day), which means you should not save on purchased mixtures. Consider several brands of proven products:

Feed for jungars

Versele-Laga “Prestige Mini Hamster Nature”

Completely balanced composition, in addition to grains and seeds, contains dried vegetables, fruits and nuts, a protein component and yeast as a source of vitamins. If the pet is inclined to be overweight, you must manually select pineapple and raisins.

Chika-Bio “Food for Djungarian hamsters”

Domestic feed, not inferior in quality to imported analogues, but more affordable. The particle size of the feed and the ratio of ingredients are selected specifically for the nutrition of jungars.

Food for hamsters of any kind of excellent quality

JR Farm Hamster

It has high palatability: dzhungars feed on the whole food, and do not choose individual tasty components. Food features in a variety of protein sources (mealworms, chicken, tiny fish), prebiotic inulin, which improves digestion and yucca extract, which reduces rodent odor.

Vitakraft Menu Vital

Usually used for Syrians. The disadvantage is that honey is added to the mixture to improve the taste. The nutrition of Djungarian hamsters involves the restriction of sugars.

Fiory Hamster

For jungars, there is not enough protein in such feed, and you will have to manually select appetizing, but harmful honey granules.

Cunipic

This feed is characterized by a relatively poor composition.

Vitapol и Lolo pets

It is better to store food for a hamster not in a bag, but pour it into a glass jar with a tight lid. The mixtures are complete: you can give the Djungarian hamster only dry food for a long time. The reason to diversify the diet is the special physiological status of the animal: the period of growth, pregnancy and lactation, mating time in the male.

On our website you can learn about the correct feeding regimen for a hamster. These are important rules that can protect your pet from obesity and poisoning.

Conclusion

What Djungarian hamsters eat at home depends entirely on the owner. You should not rely on the instincts of the animal, allowing him to choose what to eat. Nature does not have such an ability, because in the steppe the jungarik does not encounter caramel popcorn. In no case should you experiment and give your hamster forbidden foods. If the desire to treat your hamster to something “special” is very strong, special treats for hamsters can help, but they are not necessary to feed your pet.

All rodents are real sugarholicsbesides, they are not even able to recognize poisonous plants. A pet will be healthy and live long only if it is fed properly. Before buying, it is important to know in advance how to feed the Djungarian hamster, and explain these rules to childrenif the rodent targets them.