If you have recently bought a hamster and have a pet dog at home, you may be wondering if it is okay to feed your dog and your new hamster the same food. The short answer is: No you can’t. However, keep reading to find out if there are any exceptions to this rule and if there are specific brands that can be used for both animals.
Is dog food bad for hamsters?
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t feed your hamster dog food, and we’ll look at each one here.
Natural Diet
The biggest reason why you shouldn’t feed dog food to hamsters is because dogs and hamsters have different natural diets. Both animals are omnivores, meaning they can eat plants and animals, but dogs are more carnivorous. Dogs have become omnivores because they live with humans. Dog food It is mainly made up of animal meat and protein, with vegetables and grains making up only a small proportion. hamster They eat very little animal protein and spend most of their lives eating Timothy hay, grass, vegetables and other grains.
protein
The protein content of dog food generally varies from Hamster FoodBrands such as Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Chicken & Burley Recipe Dry Dog Food contain over 20% protein. Hamster foods such as Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Gerbil & Hamster Food contain only about 15% protein, making up only a small portion of your hamster’s diet.
fat
If we take a closer look at the two pet foods mentioned above, we can see that dog food is much higher in fat than hamster food. High fat content can lead to heart disease and obesity in hamsters. Being overweight can shorten your hamster’s lifespan, so it is best to avoid fatty foods and feed them Timothy Hay, grass and vegetables.
fiber
Another difference between hamster food and dog food is that dog food does not contain as much fiber as hamster food. Hamsters need a lot of fiber in their diet and a lack of fiber can cause constipation.
Things that hamsters and dogs can enjoy together
Corn and soybeans
While most wet and dry food brands are too high in fat and animal protein for hamsters, dog treats are great to give to your pet every now and then. Dog treats, like Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Beef & Filet Mignon Recipe Dog Treats, are more suitable for hamsters because they usually contain a lot of fillers like corn and soy. These ingredients may not be good for dogs, but hamsters love them and are close to what they would naturally eat.
Chew toys
Dog treats are also often very hard and help wear down your hamster’s front teeth so that they don’t get out of control. Timothy hay is the main culprit that wears down a hamster’s teeth, but hamsters do enjoy a tasty treat like a dog treat every now and again.
Vitamins and Minerals
Many dog treats, like Milk Bones, also contain vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your pet. Ingredients include vitamins A, D, and E, as well as calcium and phosphorus, which help strengthen your hamster’s bones. Vitamin B12 boosts your pet’s energy levels, fights obesity, and promotes a strong metabolism.
How do I feed my hamster dog food?
As mentioned above, dog food, whether wet or dry, is not suitable for hamsters as it is too high in fat and animal protein, however some dog treats are suitable, so even though you can’t share the same food, you can still bond with them over some tasty treats.
Unlike dogs, who can go through several treats in the blink of an eye, hamsters can last several days on one treat. If you only feed them occasionally, it will add variety to your hamster’s life and give them something to chew on. To keep your pet healthy and prevent weight gain, we recommend not feeding dog treats more than once a month. Between treats, feed them plenty of Timothy Hay to ensure they get the fiber they need.
summary
If you catch your hamster eating dog food when you’re not looking, there’s no problem. However, you should never knowingly feed your hamster dog food, as it doesn’t meet their nutritional needs and can quickly cause health problems if given on a regular basis. You can give your hamster the occasional dog treat, but it’s best to stick to foods that hamsters are meant to eat, such as Timothy hay, grass, fruits and vegetables.
Featured image credit: ariesa66, Pixabay
