I have two dwarf hamsters,1...

Question
I have two dwarf hamsters,1 teddy bear hamster and 1 syrian hamster.I was wondering how much vegetables to feed each one a day.What is the whole list of vegetables I can feed them?the two dwarf hamsters live in the same small cage and the other two ive in separate cages.Thank you.

Answer
Hi there!
Although the hamster mix will provide the hamster with a good basic diet, hamsters also enjoy fruit and vegetables. However, it is important that fruit and vegetables should be introduced to a hamster's diet gradually as a sudden large amount of fruit or vegetables can cause diarrhea.

To begin with, the hamster should only be given a small piece of fruit or vegetable once or twice a week and over a period of weeks this can be increased to a small piece every day. If at any time the hamster shows signs of diarrhea all feeding of fruit and vegetables should stop until the hamster has recovered and then gradually re-introduced into the diet.

Certain vegetables, herbs and fruit can be fed to hamsters. The hamster should only be fed an amount it will eat as if the hamster is fed too much and stores vegetables and fruit it can become moldy.

Vegetables and herbs that are safe to feed a hamster are:

Alfafa
Apple (seedless)
Asparagus
Avocado (skinned and seedless)
Banana
Basil
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts - small amounts occasionally - not all hamsters like the strong taste
Calabrese
Cabbage - should only be fed in small amounts occasionally as too much can cause health problems
Carrots
Cauliflower leaves and stalks
Celery
Cherries - stones should be removed as they can be dangerous if gnawed
Chestnuts
Chicory
Chinese Leaves
Coriander
Corn-on-the-Cob
Corn Salad
Courgettes
Cranberries
Cress
Cucumber
Curly Kale
Dates
Endive
Fenugreek
Feijoa
Figs
Grapes
Green beans
Kale - should only be fed in small amounts occasionally as too much can cause health problems
Kidney Beans (cooked)
Kiwi Fruit
Kumquat
Lettuce - small amounts occasionally - in excess it can cause liver problems
Logan Berries
Lychee
Mange Tout
Mango
Marrow
Melon
Mint
Mung
Okra
Pak Choy
Papaya
Parsley - a good tonic
Peach
Pear
Peas
Plums - stones should be removed as can be dangerous when gnawed
Potato (cooked)
Raspberries
Raspberry Plant leaves - beneficial for diarrhoea
Rhubarb (cooked)
Rocket Chard
Sage
Sorrel
Squash
Star Fruit
Strawberries
Sugar Cane - small amounts
Sweet Potato
Soybean Sprouts
Swede
Sweetcorn
Sweet Peppers
Ugli Fruit
Turnip
Water Chestnuts
Watermelon
Water Spinach

Vegetables and herbs that should not be fed are:

Kidney Beans (raw)
Onion
Potato (raw)
Potato tops
Rhubarb (raw)
Rhubarb leaves
Tomato leaves
Garlic

I hope this has been helpful!
Hilary