Small animals love food, especially treats. Giving your little pet these extra treats is a great way to add to his staple and keep him healthy and happy. You should always keep in mind that treats should be administered in moderation, especially sugary or fatty foods. When giving treats, you should also think about what kinds of things your pet should and should not eat, for example, chinchillas should avoid sugary foods. Here are some things that small animals will love to eat:
Fresh fruits and vegetables:
Small animals love to eat vegetables and some fruits; Not only does it give them a delicious treat, but it also helps keep their teeth short and their fur shiny. Vegetables like carrots, peas, and sweet corn are great options. Make sure to give in in moderation, a pea or sweet corn is enough for a hamster, and the tip of a carrot will be a great treat, be sure to scoop out any uneaten food so it doesn’t get moldy and pose a threat to your pet.
In the fruit department you can give away small slices of fresh apple, watermelon or pear, half a grape or strawberry, or small amounts of red fruits such as currants, blueberries or blueberries. Do not give foods that are high in acid, such as oranges or lemon, and avoid sugary foods such as fresh banana. Also remember to wash it well with fruits and vegetables as there may be harmful pesticides or residues from them.
Dried fruits and vegetables:
Many pet stores stock dried fruits and vegetables for your little animal. These are great options as they have no added preservatives or extras like you might find in supermarket brands intended for humans!
Another positive aspect of these is that many of the fruits are safe for small animals to eat dry and therefore come in an amazing variety. They won’t get moldy either, so they can be placed in the food bowl to flavor your pet’s normal food.
The varieties usually come separately or mixed with coconut, peanuts, or popcorn! Some common varieties include: Dried Banana, Dried Strawberries, Dried Kiwi, Dried Papaya, Pineapple or Passion Fruit, Dried Leek, Dried Tomato, Dried Artichoke, Dried Potato, Dried Apple, Dried Coconut, and Raisins.
Herbs and plants
Some plants and herbs can be dangerous for your pet, so you should always find out first – in general, if in doubt, avoid it! You should always wash fresh herbs or plants before giving them to your pet! Many small animals will enjoy nibbling on fresh grass and even more will enjoy dandelion leaves.
Dried herbs and flowers are often sold as treats for hamsters and other small animals and are generally safer than feeding your pet plants that you find. Plus, since they’re dry, you don’t have to worry about them going off. You can mix them with dry food to make it more interesting or provide a separate container for the mix.
Some common herbs are sage, parsley, thyme, bulbous sunflower (Jerusalem artichoke), marjoram, willow bark, milfoil, linden blossom, goat rue, heather rose, dandelion, chicory, cornflower, banana, mint, nettle, chamomile, calendula and occasionally birch. Tree leaves. All of which make for a great and interesting gift for your hamster or small animal.
Nuts, seeds and grains
Nuts, seeds, and grains are great for small animals as they help grind teeth and provide essential oils and fats for healthy eyesight, growth, and skin. Most foods already provide them, so many are not needed as treats. However, if your pet is on a pellet diet or just wants to pamper them, these can be a great option.
Peanuts, shelled or shelled, are a great treat that most small animals will go crazy over. However, be careful not to feed too many, as your pet may decide to eat only peanuts, which is bad for their health. Hamsters have a lot of fun chipping the ‘monkey nut’ variety and this helps keep their teeth healthy too! Make sure to buy nuts for wild birds or hamsters so they are free of salts, preservatives, or anything else harmful.
Similar to peanuts is the sunflower seed, which can be mixed with food or given separately, small animals love to remove the shell, but just like peanuts they only feed a small amount and make sure they are safe for your little critter!
Hanging snack bars
Made from grains, seeds, and other delicacies, these delicious food bars can be hung from cages or from decorations within the enclosure. They not only provide plenty of tooth-biting treats, but plenty of exercise as well. They can come in all kinds of flavors, from honey and nuts to rose petals, strawberry, seeds, banana, and fruit.
Chocolate for hamsters?
You should never feed your hamster chocolate, as it contains many chemicals that are harmful to your little pet. However, many treats are sold as ‘hamster crashes’, they are actually a mix of ingredients which, while high in fat and sugar, are really interesting and tasty treats. They should be administered in moderation, as fats and sugars will give your hamster energy, but too many could make them unhealthy.
These treats are often found in ‘chocolate’ flavor, milk flavor, or sometimes even honey flavor. You can also find them in fruit flavors, including berry, strawberry, or even vegetable flavors like carrot or leek.
Crispy stuff
Crunchy things are important as they help wear down those ever-growing teeth! There are a wide variety of cookie treats, some filled with delicious apple or other fruits and others that only taste like fruits, vegetables or cheese. You can also give very, very small pieces of whole wheat toast and occasionally the dog biscuit is also appreciated.
Other goodies
There are other types of treats that you can give. Some are occasional and some are a little different, all of them will provide fun and enjoyment for your pet.
Meal worms
Dried mealworms, given separately or mixed with food, provide protein and fun for your hamster. Don’t give too many!
Popcorn
Plain popcorn – not grocery store popcorn – makes a fun treat. You can even buy microwave corn sticks to make your own hamster treats at home!
Cheese
Hamsters like a very small amount of cheese, but it should be small. No more than half a cubic centimeter. You should also make sure your hamster doesn’t store it as it could get moldy!