Are you Giving Your Hamster Vitamins?

Many people believe hamsters get all the vitamins and minerals they need from the food they eat, and that a healthy balanced diet will take care of all their nutritional needs. While most commercially available hamster food mixes are pretty good these days and do contain a nicely balanced bend of nutrients, vitamins added to a hamster’s diet can be very beneficial too. Young hamsters and pregnant hamsters can especially benefit from vitamin supplements in their diets. Liquid multi-vitamins added to the water or food supply will provide vitamins formulated especially for a hamster’s normal development and growth.

Hamster vitamins are most often found in small bottles containing 1 or 2 ounces of liquid multi-vitamins. Recommended dosage is a few drops daily, per ounce of food or water. The cost is usually under $5 at most pet shops. Hamster treats containing supplemental vitamins can also be a good addition to your hamster’s diet. Hamster vitamin sprays are another optional delivery method. The different types of hamster vitamins are usually quite affordable, drops, as treats and sprays can all be found for well under $10 at most pet shops depending on the quantity purchased.

The specific vitamins in hamster formulas are much like the basic multi-vitamin needs for all mammals. Hamsters need vitamin E in their diet for skin and hair health. Vitamin C promotes healing, vitamin K helps the reproductive organs, and vitamin D is vital for bone strength. The B vitamins are essential for the nervous system and zinc and copper are needed too. Vitamin A is included in hamster vitamins only in very small amounts as too much vitamin A can cause liver or reproductive problems.

Another nutrient option is to provide your hamsters with a mineral stone. A stone mounted on the inside of a cage will allow hamsters to lick and gnaw on it, getting extra minerals in the process. They will also get extra calcium in their diet and keep their teeth in great shape too. Whatever your hamster eats, it is up to you to make sure it also gets the right amounts of vitamins and minerals, because a hamster with a balanced and complete nutrient intake will live longer and be much happier in the long run.