Foods to Help Hamsters Gain Weight

Hamsters are cute, cuddly creatures that make excellent pets—as long as they’re happy, healthy, and well-fed!

If you’re concerned about your hamster’s weight and want to help them gain a few pounds, try these ten nutritious foods that are safe for hamsters to eat. Once your pet has reached its goal weight, consider switching to these hamster treats to keep them feeling full and satisfied!

Table of Contents

1. Carrots

Carrots are a popular vegetable for human consumption, but they can also be given to hamsters as a treat.

Carrots are high in fiber and beta-carotene, converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, and cell growth.

Carrots also contain small amounts of vitamins C and K and minerals like potassium and manganese. When feeding carrots to hamsters, it is essential to cut them into small pieces to prevent choking.

While carrots are generally safe for hamsters, overfeeding can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea. Therefore, it is best to give carrots only occasionally and in moderation.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast food, but it can also be a helpful way to add some extra calories to your hamster’s diet. If your hamster is underweight, adding oatmeal to its regular food can help them to gain the additional weight they need.

Just be sure to give them a small amount of oatmeal, as too much can cause gastrointestinal issues. You can also add some chopped vegetables or fruits to the oatmeal to make it more nutritious.

Feeding your hamster oatmeal regularly can help them reach a healthy weight in no time.

3. Rice Cakes

Rice cakes are a popular hamster treat and can be an excellent source of nutrition. Rice cakes are made from whole grains and are high in carbohydrates and fiber. They also contain a significant amount of protein and fat, making them an ideal food for hamsters trying to gain weight.

In addition, rice cakes are relatively low in sugar and calories, making them a healthy option for hamsters on a diet.

However, it is essential to note that rice cakes should not be your hamster’s only source of nutrition. A healthy diet should also include fresh vegetables, fruits, and proteins.

4. Raw Banana

Raw bananas are an excellent food source for hamsters trying to gain weight. They are packed with nutrients and calories, and their high fiber content aids digestion.

Raw bananas are a good source of potassium, which is essential for muscle function. When feeding your hamster a raw banana, remove the peel and any large seeds. These can be choking hazards, making the peel difficult for hamsters to digest.

Offer your hamster a small piece of banana as a treat, and monitor their intake to ensure they don’t consume too much sugar.

Raw bananas are a safe and healthy way to help your hamster gain weight. Just be sure to feed them in moderation and remove any potential choking hazards.

5. Raisins

Raisins are small, dried grapes often used as a snack or added to baked goods. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Raisins can also be helpful for hamsters who are trying to gain weight.

The sugar and calories in raisins can help hamsters to pack on the pounds, and the high fiber content can help them to feel fuller for longer.

However, raisins should be given in moderation, as they can cause stomach upset if eaten in large quantities.

If you’re looking for a healthy way to help your hamster gain weight, raisins may be a good option.

6. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are a type of seed that comes from the sunflower plant. The sunflower plant is native to North America, but it is now grown all over the world. Sunflower seeds are a popular food for people and animals alike. They are a popular snack, used in baking or even made into oil.

For hamsters, sunflower seeds can be a helpful way to gain weight. This is because Sunflower seeds are high in fat and calories. In addition, Sunflower seeds are a good source of protein, which is essential for building muscle.

If your hamster is underweight, adding Sunflower seeds to its diet can help them regain its weight. Be sure to feed them in moderation, as too many Sunflower seeds can cause obesity.

7. Dried Cranberries

As any pet owner knows, diet is integral to keeping your furry friend healthy. While every animal has different dietary needs, all animals need a balanced diet that provides the right mix of nutrients.

For hamsters, one essential nutrient is dried cranberries. Dried cranberries are high in sugar and calories, making them an ideal food for hamsters who need to gain weight.

In addition, dried cranberries are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can help to boost your hamster’s immune system. However, dried cranberries should be given in moderation, as they can cause digestive problems, i.e., diarrhea if your hamster eats too many.

8. Hard Boiled Eggs

Egg yolks are an excellent source of fatty acids, essential for hamsters to maintain a healthy coat and gain weight. In addition, egg whites’ protein can help build muscle mass. For these reasons, hard-boiled eggs are often recommended as a supplement for underweight hamsters or having difficulty putting on muscle.

However, it is important not to overfeed your hamster, as this can lead to obesity and other health problems. As a general rule of thumb, one hard-boiled egg per week is sufficient for most hamsters.

9. Peanut Butter

As any pet owner knows, weight gain can be a problem for hamsters. These furry little creatures have high metabolisms and tend to burn through calories quickly. As a result, they can easily become underweight, leading to health problems.

One way to help a hamster gain weight is to feed it peanut butter. Peanut butter is high in fat and calories, making it an ideal food for hamsters who need to put on some extra weight. In addition, peanut butter is packed with essential nutrients for hamsters’ health.

However, it’s important not to overfeed a hamster, as this can lead to health problems. A small amount of peanut butter each day should be sufficient to help a hamster gain the weight it needs.

10. Cooked Chicken

An underweight hamster may have a poor appetite or be unable to digest its food properly. To help a hamster gain weight, you can try feeding it cooked chicken.

Chicken is a good source of protein and fat, which can help a hamster bulk up. It is also easy to digest, making it a good option for hamsters with digestive issues. If your hamster is reluctant to eat chicken, you can try shredding it or adding a little bit of chicken broth to make it more appealing.

You can help your hamster get back on the road to good health with a little effort!

11. Mealworms

Mealworms are an excellent source of protein and fat and can help hamsters gain weight.

In the wild, hamsters are constantly on the move, searching for food. As a result, they have a high metabolism and require a lot of calories to maintain their body weight. In captivity, however, hamsters are often sedentary, and they may not be getting the calories they need to stay healthy.

Mealworms can help to rectify this situation by providing a concentrated source of nutrition. In addition, mealworms are high in chitin, which can help hamsters to maintain a healthy digestive system. As a result, feeding mealworms to your hamster is an excellent way to help them gain weight and stay fit.

12. Peas & Peppers

When it comes to diet, hamsters are relatively easy to please. They enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables, and they especially like peas and peppers. These foods are delicious and packed with nutrients that can help your hamster gain weight.

Peas are high in protein and fiber, essential for proper growth and development. Peppers are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folic acid. Both vegetables are low in fat and calories, making them an ideal choice for hamsters trying to bulk up.

Adding a few peas and peppers to your hamster’s diet is a simple way to help them reach their desired weight.

So if you’re looking for a way to help your furry friend bulk up, include some peas and peppers in his diet.

13. Millet

One way to help a hamster gain weight is to add millet to its food. This small, yellow grain is packed with nutrients that can help a hamster to bulk up.

Millet is also high in calories, so it can help a hamster to put on weight even if it eats the same amount of food as before.

Adding millet to a hamster’s diet is easy – sprinkle a handful over its regular food, or offer it as a treat. With time, you should see your hamster fill out and become healthier overall.

Wrapping Up!

As hamsters are small animals, it’s easy to overlook their nutritional needs, and as such, they can become malnourished, weak, and lethargic. The best way to avoid this and allow your hamster to grow strong and healthy is to feed them plenty of nutritious foods. These ten foods are among the most nutritious and will aid in the growth of your hamster.

Be sure to vary your hamster’s diet daily, feeding them one item from this list so they get the broadest possible range of nutrients in their diet.