Hamsters

Pellet or nugget food These are hard blocks of food with all the ingredi- ents needed packed into one chunk. This means the hamster cannot choose to feed selectively. This type of food is less common nowadays and has been replaced by the mixes. Fresh food Hamsters need to have fresh food once or twice a week at least. Remember you do not need to give much, the equivalent of an inch or so (2-3 cm) of dandelion leaf or a thin slice of carrot is plenty. Fresh herbs, such as parsley, clover, and dandelion, grass, bits of apple, carrot, broccoli, or grape will be much appreciated. Avoid giving your hamster citrus fruits as these can cause sores on its mouth. Lettuce, spinach, butter- cups, ragwort, bluebells, and pineapple should not be given to your hamster, nor any ornamental plants or flowers. Do not feed grass cuttings from the lawn mower. Give picked grass only. When giving any fresh food to your pet it is important to make sure it is rinsed well under cold water to clean away any dirt.

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Hamsters