Small animals love food, especially treats. Giving your little pet these extra treats is a great way to add to his staple food and keep him healthy and happy. You should always keep in mind that treats should be given 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 small animals will love to eat:

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables:

Small animals love to eat vegetables and the occasional fruit; not only does it give them a delicious taste, but it also helps keep their teeth short and their coat shiny. Vegetables like carrots, peas, and sweet corn are great choices. Be sure to give sparingly, a pea or sweetcorn is enough for a hamster, and the end of a carrot will make a great treat, be sure to take out any uneaten food so it doesn’t get moldy and pose a threat to your pet.

In the fruit department, you can give small slices of fresh apple, watermelon, or pear, half a grape or strawberry, or small amounts of berries like blackcurrant, blueberry, or cranberry. Do not feed highly acidic foods such as oranges or lemons and avoid sugary foods such as fresh bananas. Also remember to wash both fruits and vegetables well, as they may contain harmful pesticides or pesticide residue.

Dried fruits and vegetables:

Many pet stores will have dried fruits and vegetables for your small animal. These are great options since they don’t have condoms or added extras like you might find in supermarket brands meant for humans!

Another positive aspect of this is that many of the fruits are safe for your small animals to eat dry and therefore come in an amazing variety. They also won’t go moldy, so they can be placed in the food bowl to liven up your pet’s normal eating.

Varieties come separately or mixed together, usually 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 to your pet so you should always find out first, usually if in doubt avoid! 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 plants you find to your pet. Plus, since they’re dry, you don’t have to worry about them going off. You can mix them into the dry food to make it more interesting or provide a separate container for the mix.

Some common herbs are sage, parsley, thyme, bulbous sunflower (Topinambur), marjoram, willow bark, yarrow, linden flower, goat’s rue, blackberry rose, dandelion , chicory, cornflower, plantain, 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 with grinding teeth and provide essential oils and fats for healthy eyesight, growth and skin. Most foods already provide them, so many are unnecessary as treats. However, if your pet is on a pellet diet or you just want to pamper them, this can be a great option.

Peanuts, shelled or not, are a great treat that most small animals will go crazy for. However, be careful not to give too many, as your pet may decide to only eat peanuts, which is bad for their health. Hamsters have a lot of fun peeling the shell off the ‘monkey nut’ variety and this helps keep their teeth healthy too! Make sure you buy nuts for wild birds or hamsters so they are free of salts, preservatives, or anything else harmful.

Similar to peanuts is sunflower seed, which can be mixed with food or given separately, small animals love to shell them, but like peanuts, only feed a small amount and make sure they are safe for your little creature.

hanging snacks

Made from grains, seeds, and other tasty treats, these delicious food bars can be hung from cages or from decorations inside the enclosure. They not only provide plenty of treats to chew on, but also plenty of exercise. They can come in all sorts of flavors, from honey and nuts to rose petal, strawberry, seed, 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 chocolate’, they are actually a mixture of ingredients that, while high in fat and sugar, make for really interesting and tasty treats. They should be given in moderation, as fats and sugars will give your hamster energy, but too much could make them unhealthy.

These treats are often found in a ‘chocolate’ flavor, milk flavor or even sometimes honey flavored. You can also find them in fruit flavors, including berry, strawberry, or even vegetable flavors like carrot or leek!

crunchy things

Crunchy stuff is important as it helps wear down those ever-growing teeth! There is a wide variety of cookie treats, some filled with delicious apple or other fruit and others simply flavored with fruit, vegetables or cheese. You can also give very, very small pieces of whole wheat toast and the occasional dog biscuit is much appreciated too!

other delicacies

There are other types of treats you can give him. Some are casual and some are a bit different, all of which will provide fun and enjoyment for your pet.

meal worms

Dried mealworms, either alone or mixed with food, provide protein and fun for your hamster. Don’t give too many!

Popcorn

Plain popcorn, not the kind you get at the supermarket, makes a fun treat. You can even buy microwavable 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!

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