mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. If you notice any of these signs in your hamster, it's important to take him to the vet right away to rule out any other health problems and to make sure he's getting the proper nutrition he needs. Processed people food (like bologna), citrus fruits, peaches, pineapples or raspberries are bad too. Can guinea pigs eat hamsters and gerbil food? Where Do Guinea Pigs Live in the Wild? In this article, well highlight 10 key distinguishing attributes of hamsters and guinea pigs. In fact, hay is a great source of nutrition for these little guys. Yet, remember that a guinea pig is much more fragile compared to a hamster, so handling them requires gentleness. Guinea pigs are vitamin C deficient because their bodies cant produce it. Guinea pigs and hamsters have different nutritional requirements, thus giving guinea pigs food to your hamster is not a good solution. Basically, there is nothing in guinea pig treats that would be considered toxic to hamsters. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Hamsters? - Pet Food Guide What this essentially means is that guinea pigs are naturally and biologically driven to eat plant matter in their wild habitats. Hamsters need a diet that is low in fiber in order to prevent digestive issues. Guinea pigs and hamsters are both popular pets, but they have different dietary needs. They have very similar dietary needs and eating habits. Can you substitutefor Guinea Pig Food? . Food for guinea pigs and hamsters should be varied in order to keep them healthy. Guinea Pig vs. Hamster (What Is Better for Each Situation) Hamsters are very cute, cuddly creatures that many people enjoy keeping as pets. Guinea pigs are bigger and heavier compared to hamsters, which is an important aspect when determining how much space you will need for your new pet. They dont run around as much as hamsters do, so your child will have a more fun time playing with them. No, a hamster should not eat guinea pig food. Can Hamsters Eat Hay? - Do They Need? - Food Maniaa Guinea pigs cost between 20 to 40$, while hamsters cost between 10 and 20$. Guinea pigs are messy creatures, frequently mixing feces or urine with their food. If a hamster eats nothing but rabbit food, they will eventually become malnourished and could even die. You can cuddle them while you watch TV. What should you do? Hamsters and guinea pigs are similar pets with different dietary needs. Lets take a look at the nutrient requirements of the hamster and guinea pig and discover what does a hamster eat, what cant hamsters eat and what is the best food for hamsters. Hamster Wet Tail How To Spot It And What To Do Hamsters Hibernate? [What Are The Consequences?]. They have very similar dietary needs and eating habits. So, the nutrients (like fortified vitamin C), a lack of fat, and the size of guinea pig food is unsuitable for hamsters. However, rabbits, While hamsters shouldn't eat seafood too often, a small amount as an occasional treat can be beneficial. Typically, one to guinea pigs will need a minimum of 7.5 square feet of living space. The short answer is yes. Our mission is to help pet owners provide their pets with wholesome, healthy, and nutritious food. I used to live next to a store that required you to special order anything small mammal since they didnt keep anything in stock. Emma is a freelance writer, specializing in writing about pets, outdoor pursuits, and the environment. So, the quick answer is, no, hamsters and guinea pigs cannot live togetherdefinitely not in the same cage. One guinea pig meal certainly will not make your hamster ill or harm them in any way. Some people believe that hamsters can only eat hamster food, but others believe that guinea pig food is okay for them to eat as well. This article will discuss some nitty-gritty info about hamster food in relation to guinea pigs' food diet. Filed Under: Hamster Care, Hamsters, Pet Care, Oxbow Animal Health Healthy Handfuls Hamster Food, Kaytee Forti Diet Pro Health Hamster Food. Generally, guinea pigs are more frequent visitors of vets compared to hamsters. The first thing you need to think about is the ingredients in the food. A hamster may chew on fibrous hay to reduce the length of its teeth. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. 4. However, hamsters are very good runners and their small body gives them the possibility to run all day happily. 5. The water is also important, as it will help to keep your hamster hydrated. This is dangerous, as hamsters weigh only a few ounces; dwarf hamsters are even lighter. Most guinea pig food is made of Timothy hay, pellets, vegetables, and water. For instance, you should not feed your hamster chocolate or other sweets. As pet owners, we all know the situation where you suddenly run out of pet food. Vegetables that hamsters can eat include: For a sweeter treat, you can also provide small amounts of fresh fruit, such as: Although healthy in small amounts, you shouldnt feed a hamster fruit too often. Can Hamsters Eat Rabbit Or Guinea Pig Food? This includes fresh vegetables such as carrots. Hamsters have different dietary needs than rabbits and should never eat rabbit food. Guinea pig pellets can be quite large and sticky. So what should you feed your hamster if you want to avoid giving them Guinea pig muesli? The short answer is no, hamsters should not eat guinea pig food. November 19, 2022 by Mary Nielsen Whether you've got a guinea pig or a hamster, you probably want to know if they can eat each other. However, they can also be loving and affectionate to humans. However, if fed for longer periods, guinea pig food will lead to nutrient deficiencies because of the unsuitable makeup of the food. Hay is something that is beneficial for both hamsters and guinea pigs. But do not feed guinea pig food to your pet hamster regularly. Never feed a hamster guinea pig muesli as part of its regular diet, as this will cause the hamster to become malnourished from a lack of nutrients. This means that they can safely consume rabbit or guinea pig food without any health concerns. Can Guinea Pigs Eat the Same Food As Hamsters And Gerbils? Guinea pigs naturally eat grass as their primary food source. Guinea Pig Facts | Live Science We look forward to reading all about it in our comments section. Hamsters require a diet that is high in fiber and low in protein, fat, and sugar. Yogurt based treats such as Vitakraft Hamster Drops*, available in 3 flavors. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. Therefore, the volume of foods each animal requires is different. However, they do share the trait of having open rooted teeth, meaning their teeth grow constantly throughout their life. Unlike guinea pigs, hamsters are territorial and should not be kept with other hamsters. If your hamster is sneezing, has a runny nose, or is scratching a lot, it may be allergic to guinea pig food. Guinea pigs have different nutritional needs to hamsters. A guinea pig might be very fond of you, but it needs the company of other guinea pigs as well. The answer is yes, they can! If a hamster eats spoiled guinea pig food, the hamster may become ill. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Hamster Food? | MyPetCareJoy NOTE: Advice provided within this article by FeedingMyPet.com is not a substitute for veterinary advice. A chirp is a sound that doesnt have an explanation; the reason behind this sound is unknown. Certainly, this would save time, money, and storage space. According to Clinics in Chest Medicine, this impacts the digestive and cardiovascular systems and affects the respiratory system and the ability of the diaphragm to flex. Ryan loves to research and stay up-to-date on the latest trends, gadgets, and software. Can Hamsters Eat Guinea Pig Food - Pets Dimension On average, a guinea pig lives between 5 and 8 years, whereas a hamster usually lives 2 to 3 years. ), wetness on the anal and tail areas and watery diarrhea. Avoid providing hamsters with straw rather than hay, as straw can cause injuries by poking or scratching the hamster. You will need to experiment a bit to find out what your hamster likes to eat, as well as what he is able to digest without having any problems. Feeding hamsters is serious business. A vet can help you plan and execute a proper diet for your little furry family member and get them back on the road to health. This small pet is cute and lively, which is attractive to children and they enjoy playing with hamsters. In addition, hamsters also need access to fresh water at all times. However, guinea pig food is unsuitable for hamsters to eat over a prolonged period because the animals have different dietary needs. Take the guesswork out of treat time and select treats specific to hamsters. Indeed, a cursory glance at their pellets can leave you thinking they already eat the same food. Do Hamsters Eat Or Need Hay ? Extra Treats For Your Hamster Guinea pigs are tailless rodents that weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs. Unlike guinea pigs that are neither nocturnal nor diurnal but crepuscular (most active at dusk and early morning), hamsters are nocturnal creatures. (And How? Hay provides necessary fiber and variety to your hamsters diet and offers supplemental materials for burrowing and storing food. Ryan Cole is a blogger with a passion for writing about all things tech. But is it advisable? Yes, hamsters can eat guinea pig treats, but only occasionally and in moderation as with treats in general. Hamsters do best when they receive a diet that is specifically tailored to their needs and is supplemented with fresh foods and water. Pet stores cater so heavily to dogs and cats and sometimes it feels like our small friends get glossed over. Hamsters are omnivores they eat vegetables, fruits and meat. However, can hamsters eat hay like guinea pigs? He has been working in the industry for over 10 years and has gained extensive knowledge and experience along the way. For this reason, it is important to only feed your hamster food that is easy for them to chew and avoid any foods that could cause dental damage. Guinea pigs tend to feel lonely and may suffer from depression. As you can see, there are hamster foods that your little cavies cannot feed on. Learn more. Since hamsters eat small quantities of foods, opt for lower weight bags of food. This means both hamster and guinea pig diets must include hard foods appropriate for grinding teeth to a healthy length. While its true that some small mammals can share food, this is not true of guineapigs and hamsters. Guinea pigs have a diet that is concocted with the same thing in mind, in that they have different culinary needs to hamsters. The two animals are similar in many ways and have similar dietary needs. Potential Health Risks of Feeding Hamster Food to Guinea Pigs 1. While guinea pigs eat mostly hay because its high in fiber, a hamsters diet should include vegetables, fruit, meat, grains, and seeds. You have to keep in mind that they need an unlimited amount of hay and water daily. Many people assume that since hamsters are small, they can eat the same food as rabbits. You can spread hay in small amounts with food a few times a week. This is something that hamsters will not need. Guinea pigs cannot eat hamster cheek pouches, as they are specifically designed for hamsters. Can a hamster kill a guinea pig? Then you might wonder "Can hamsters eat hay"? Their body structure does not allow them this comfort and it can cause permanent damage to it. Unfortunately, feeding guinea pig food can be harmful. Without a proper diet, they cannot be expected to thrive and enjoy a high quality of life. Unlike hamsters, guinea pigs are exclusively herbivores and they cannot eat any food of other origin. You may choose to feed your hamsters treats of insects or cooked meat, but with the protein provided in hamster food pellets, those additions are not required for optimal health. One interesting fact about hamsters is that they have pouches in the cheeks which they use to store some food for later. It also contains linseed oil for omega 3 and 6. Please discuss your pets specific dietary needs (based on his breed, weight, age, and health status) with a veterinarian. Although a hamster wont suddenly die from eating guinea pig food once or twice, it shouldnt become a regular feature of its diet. Hamsters do eat some of the same things as guinea pigs, but they require fewer plant foods and more protein, so their food should be formulated accordingly. Heres why: guinea pigs and hamsters are both small rodents that originated from the same area in Europe. As social animals, guinea pigs require company. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This includes both plant-based and meat-based foods. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Hay is an excellent source of fiber and can help keep hamsters healthy and happy. Hay is considered a fibresupplement for Hamsters but is not a necessity. Can Hamsters Eat Guinea Pig Food? | Learn Important Facts Both hamsters and guinea pigs need your care and attention. Feed them a lot of broccoli and spinach and by doing so, you will prevent damage to their health and reduce the risk of scurvy. Please get someone to give you a lift to the store. Also, while any food can become impacted in your hamsters cheek pouches, you can be more confident that foods specifically designed for hamsters will have less chance of damaging your hamsters cheeks. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). Although very distant cousins, hamsters, and guinea pigs share several features. Hay is also good for these two creatures. Guinea pigs like to chew, so be sure to keep . There are two special kinds of hay-like timothy and alfalfa that can be eaten by both guinea pigs and hamsters. We recommend you stick to treats that have been designed for hamsters, as they are the safest choice. For a start, check out some of the cages for small spaces. You can supplement it if your hamster is having digestive issues or if a vet recommends it! Despite being some of the cutest little critters ever, guinea pigs and hamsters should never be kept together! The following foods that guinea pigs eat can be deadly to hamsters: So, while giving a hamster fresh food to supplement its diet is sensible, avoid these foods altogether. 10. The hamster may vomit, have diarrhea, and/or lose its appetite. Regardless of whether you opt for a guinea pig or hamster, which should depend on your personal preference, you will have the best pet! Additionally, experts suggest releasing hamsters from the cage at least once a week to give them more space. Please do not feed hamster food to your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, need a high fiber diet and eat pellets that are made of timothy hay. Guinea Pigs and Hamsters have very different nutritional needs, so feeding your hamster guinea pig food isnt a good substitute. Lets take a closer look at the hamster diet. Commercial foods contain the right ratios of protein and grains that are necessary for a strong immune system and a healthy body. Can Hamsters Eat Guinea Pig Food? Facts & FAQ | Pet Keen Only feed your hamster a chunk or two of fruits and veggies every day to minimize the risk of digestion problems. What is the Difference in Behavior of a Hamster vs Guinea Pig?