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Pets Small Animal Supplies

Best Hamster & Gerbil Food

Updated June 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Oxbow Essentials - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Oxbow
Essentials - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Premium Food

Oxbow Essentials literally provides the high-quality elemental needs of any hamster or gerbil’s diet without the sugar, fillers, and artificial colors that may hinder long-term health.

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Premium Food
Bottom Line

Oxbow Essentials literally provides the high-quality elemental needs of any hamster or gerbil’s diet without the sugar, fillers, and artificial colors that may hinder long-term health.

Pros

Timothy hay meal, pearled barley, and oats are the first 3 ingredients. Balanced diet. High-fiber. Fortified with essential vitamins. Natural flavor hamsters love. Promotes healthy digestion and teeth.

Cons

Since this is a premium hamster and gerbil food recipe, expect to pay premium prices for it.

Best Bang for the Buck
Kaytee Fiesta - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Kaytee
Fiesta - Hamster & Gerbil Food
A Delicious Mix

Choosy hamsters and gerbils, rejoice. The Fiesta food mixture is loaded with an assortment of deliciously healthy bits, including raisins, papaya, bananas, peas, apples, and so much more.

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A Delicious Mix
Bottom Line

Choosy hamsters and gerbils, rejoice. The Fiesta food mixture is loaded with an assortment of deliciously healthy bits, including raisins, papaya, bananas, peas, apples, and so much more.

Pros

Corn, oats, and wheat are the first 3 ingredients. A buffet of yummy seeds, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Tiny easy-to-eat pieces. High-nutrition diet. Excellent value. Promotes digestive, eye, and heart health.

Cons

Although Fiesta is packed with appetizing pieces and vitamins, the artificial coloring isn’t needed.

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Kaytee
Forti-Diet Pro Health - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Wholesome Ingredients

Featuring a range of delicious and nutritious ingredients, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, and peas, so even the pickiest hamsters and gerbils will get the nutrition they need.

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Wholesome Ingredients
Bottom Line

Featuring a range of delicious and nutritious ingredients, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, and peas, so even the pickiest hamsters and gerbils will get the nutrition they need.

Pros

Corn, ground corn, wheat, and sunflower seeds are the first 4 ingredients. High protein diet for healthy skin and coat. Hamsters and gerbils love the variety of flavors. Complete diet. Includes probiotics, omega 3, and DHA.

Cons

The varied mix of foods is a treat, but hamsters and gerbils don’t need the artificial colorings.

Hartz Bonanza - Hamster & Gerbil Diet
Hartz
Bonanza - Hamster & Gerbil Diet
Bargain Pick

Bonanza is inexpensive, full of appetizing raisins, pinto beans, almonds, and a variety of other tiny bites from premium sources, and you get plenty of hamster and gerbil food for your dollar.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

Bonanza is inexpensive, full of appetizing raisins, pinto beans, almonds, and a variety of other tiny bites from premium sources, and you get plenty of hamster and gerbil food for your dollar.

Pros

Whole corn, wheat, and milo seeds are the first 3 ingredients. Affordable. Scientifically created for a nutritious hamster and gerbil diet. Vitamin fortified. Features tasty bits like pumpkin seeds and carrots.

Cons

While there are plenty of healthy ingredients in Bonanza, there are 4 different artificial food colorings here too.

Kaytee Forti-Diet - Mouse, Rat & Hamster Food
Kaytee
Forti-Diet - Mouse, Rat & Hamster Food
A Healthy Diet

Due to nutrition packed into each large pellet, it’s an excellent hamster and gerbil feeding option for a child’s first pet. Simply provide 1 or 2 pellets each day, and your tiny friend is good to go.

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Check Price at Amazon
A Healthy Diet
Bottom Line

Due to nutrition packed into each large pellet, it’s an excellent hamster and gerbil feeding option for a child’s first pet. Simply provide 1 or 2 pellets each day, and your tiny friend is good to go.

Pros

Soybean meal, corn, wheat, and oats are the first 4 ingredients. Substantial pellets prevent overfeeding. Protein and grain-rich diet. Complete diet. Hamsters and gerbils love the peanut and beet flavors.

Cons

These chunky pellets are easy to eat and highly nutritious, but they contain several artificial colors.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
November 11, 2021
30
Models
considered
16
Hours
researched
Category cover
Melinda Harris
Written by Melinda Harris

Updated June 2023

Although hamsters and gerbils are both completely different rodents, they share two important things where it counts; they essentially have the same dietary requirements, and these small pets are absolutely adorable. Both hamsters and gerbils need a grain-based food that is high in fiber, protein, and fortified with vitamins C, A, and B12 to promote a healthy weight, digestive system, and set of teeth. Since no two animals are the same, it’s up to you to find a hamster or gerbil food that is both nutritious and delicious to keep your little friend happy and healthy for years to come.

Our Top Picks
Oxbow
Best of the Best
Oxbow
Essentials - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Bottom Line
Oxbow Essentials literally provides the high-quality elemental needs of any hamster or gerbil’s diet without the sugar, fillers, and artificial colors that may hinder long-term health.
Shop Now
Kaytee
Best Bang for the Buck
Kaytee
Fiesta - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Bottom Line
Choosy hamsters and gerbils, rejoice. The Fiesta food mixture is loaded with an assortment of deliciously healthy bits, including raisins, papaya, bananas, peas, apples, and so much more.
Shop Now
Kaytee
Top Pick
Kaytee
Forti-Diet Pro Health - Hamster & Gerbil Food
Bottom Line
Featuring a range of delicious and nutritious ingredients, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, and peas, so even the pickiest hamsters and gerbils will get the nutrition they need.
Shop Now
Hartz
Top Pick
Hartz
Bonanza - Hamster & Gerbil Diet
Bottom Line
Bonanza is inexpensive, full of appetizing raisins, pinto beans, almonds, and a variety of other tiny bites from premium sources, and you get plenty of hamster and gerbil food for your dollar.
Shop Now
Kaytee
Top Pick
Kaytee
Forti-Diet - Mouse, Rat & Hamster Food
Bottom Line
Due to nutrition packed into each large pellet, it’s an excellent hamster and gerbil feeding option for a child’s first pet. Simply provide 1 or 2 pellets each day, and your tiny friend is good to go.
Shop Now
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