Specially formulated hamster pellets provide complete and comprehensive nutrition, forming the foundation of a healthy hamster diet. While hamsters enjoy variety and foraging, uniform pellets ensure they receive balanced nutrition without selective eating. A proper hamster diet consists primarily of pellets, with room for fresh vegetables, fruits, and occasional treats.
In this comprehensive guide, we've researched and compared the best hamster foods available on Amazon. We've evaluated each product based on nutritional content, ingredient quality, pellet formulation, fiber content, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Our Top Picks
If you're in a hurry, here are our top recommendations:
- Best Overall: Oxbow Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food - High-quality grains, no fillers, balanced nutrition, prebiotics
- Best Foraging Mix: Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Snack - Diverse seeds and nuts, no added sugar, great for enrichment
- Best Premium: Mazuri Hamster & Gerbil Food - High fiber, probiotics, omega-3, vitamin E
- Best for Gut Health: Kaytee FortiDiet Pro Health - Prebiotics, probiotics, superfoods, antioxidants
What to Look For in Hamster Food
When choosing hamster food, consider these important factors:
Pellet Formulation
Uniform pellets are essential to prevent selective eating. Hamsters will pick out their favorite foods from mixes, leading to nutritional imbalances. Pellets ensure complete nutrition with every bite.
Protein and Fat Content
Hamsters need moderate protein (15-17%) and fat (4-6%) levels. Higher fat content can lead to obesity. Avoid seed and nut mixes as primary diets, as they're too high in fat and encourage selective eating.
Fiber Content
High fiber content (10% minimum) supports digestive health. Fiber helps maintain gut motility and prevents gastrointestinal issues. Timothy hay can be added for additional fiber.
Ingredient Quality
Look for foods made with high-quality grains like wheat, oats, and barley. Avoid foods with excessive fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives. Natural ingredients are best for hamster health.
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Protein | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxbow Essentials | Pellets | 15% | Complete nutrition, all hamsters | $ |
| Kaytee Food from The Wild | Foraging Mix | 16% | Enrichment, treats | $ |
| Mazuri | Pellets | 17% | Premium nutrition, dental health | $$ |
| Kaytee FortiDiet Pro | Pellets | 12% | Gut health, digestion | $$ |
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Oxbow Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food - Best Overall
Oxbow Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food is our top choice for overall quality and nutrition. These pellets include three high-quality grain energy sources: timothy grass meal, pearled barley, and oat groats, providing smooth energy absorption.
Each pellet contains all required fiber, vitamins, and minerals, plus antioxidants and prebiotics for gut health. The formula is nutrient-dense without extraneous fillers or preservatives, ensuring your hamster gets complete nutrition.
Feeding guidelines recommend 1/8 cup for dwarf hamsters or juveniles, and 1/3 cup for adult hamsters. About 20% of the diet should still come from vegetable and fruit supplementation. This food is available in 1-pound and 15-pound bags.
Key Features: Three grain sources, no fillers, balanced nutrition, prebiotics, antioxidants, nutrient-dense
2. Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Snack - Best Foraging Mix
Kaytee Food from The Wild Natural Snack is an excellent foraging mix that provides variety and enrichment. This blend contains diverse seeds and nuts including pumpkin seeds, dehydrated carrots, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and dried rose petals.
The mix is packed with protein (16%) and fat (18%), making it ideal as a supplement to a pellet diet rather than a primary food source. It provides that last 20% of your hamster's daily nutrition and encourages natural foraging behaviors.
However, this snack is high in fat, so hamsters shouldn't be fed more than a teaspoon daily. The mix contains no added sugar and offers a wide range of foraging options. It's available in 2-ounce bags.
Key Features: Diverse selection, no added sugar, trusted brand, high protein, enrichment
3. Mazuri Hamster & Gerbil Food - Best Premium Pellets
Mazuri Hamster & Gerbil Food is a premium pellet option designed for both hamsters and gerbils. This unique blend of wheat, soybean, and corn is transformed into pellets that encourage chewing for great dental health.
The formula is packed with high fiber (10%) and probiotics to help your hamster digest nutrients effectively. There are no added colors or artificial flavors—everything is entirely natural. The pellets include omega-3 and vitamin E as sources of antioxidants for added health.
The pellets come in a range of shapes to stimulate your hamster's foraging instincts. Feeding guidelines recommend 20 to 25 grams per day. While more expensive than basic options, this food provides premium nutrition.
Key Features: High fiber, probiotics, omega-3, vitamin E, natural ingredients, dental health, foraging shapes
4. Kaytee FortiDiet Pro Health Nourish + Protect - Best for Gut Health
Kaytee FortiDiet Pro Health Nourish + Protect Hamster & Gerbil Food is specifically designed to support gut health and digestion. This formula includes prebiotics and probiotics to support good gut bacteria and nutrient absorption.
The food contains recognizable ingredients like corn, wheat, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and peas, with crunchy pellets that encourage proper eating. The formula includes superfoods and antioxidants, along with flaxseed for additional health benefits.
This formula is naturally preserved, but you can refrigerate or freeze it to extend product life. The bag should be used within 30 to 45 days unless frozen or refrigerated. Feeding guidelines recommend 2 tablespoons per day.
Key Features: Prebiotics, probiotics, superfoods, antioxidants, crunchy pellets, dental support, gut health
Final Verdict
Oxbow Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food is our top choice for providing balanced nutrition with high-quality ingredients and no fillers. Kaytee Food from The Wild offers excellent enrichment as a foraging supplement. Mazuri provides premium nutrition with probiotics and antioxidants, while Kaytee FortiDiet Pro Health focuses on gut health and digestion.
Remember that hamsters should eat 9 to 12 grams of food per day. They'll hoard food in their cheeks, so monitor their weight to prevent obesity. Avoid feeding nut and seed mixes as primary diets, as they're too high in fat and encourage selective eating. Always provide fresh water and supplement with small amounts of fresh vegetables like carrots, squash, broccoli, and spinach.