Whether it’s because you’re going on vacation for a few days or simply want to understand how to properly care for your pet hamster, knowing how long it can survive without food is useful information. So, how long can your hamster survive without food?
A hamster can go without food for three to four days. However, hamsters can begin showing symptoms of being sick within a day. The age, size, and overall health of the hamster will be contributing factors that can influence this.
This article will explore keeping hamsters healthy, the proper diet for hamsters, and how long they can go without food and water. I’ll also go over dangerous foods for hamsters and how to leave food for them when you’re gone for a few days. Let’s get started.
How Often Should I Feed My Hamster?
There are several things to keep in mind when it comes to the health of your hamster. The University of California put together a list of essential care considerations for new owners. These are based on two of the more common hamster species: Syrian and dwarf hamsters.
Most pets need to be fed frequently. Healthy hamsters can live up to two years, but that can be cut short if they’re not fed enough. You should typically feed hamsters once a day, either in the morning or the evening.
However, hamsters can survive longer periods without food. Take a look at this chart to see how hamsters compare with some other common pets:
| Animal | How Long They Can Survive Without Food |
| Hamsters | Three to four days |
| Dogs | Up to five days |
| Cats | Up to two weeks |
| Snakes | Up to two months |
| Lizards | Two weeks to two months |
| Guinea pigs | Six to eight hours |
| Mice | Two to four days |
| Rabbits | Three to four days |
| Ferrets | Up to three days |
| Fish | Three days to a week |
| Turtles | Up to 160 days |
Keep in mind, these are averages. How long the animal can go without food depends on several factors, including:
- Size
- Age
- Health
- Species
This is also assuming the pet has access to drinking water. That said, the chart shows that hamsters’ survivability without food is similar to mice, rabbits, dogs, and certain fish.
Symptoms of Poor Hamster Health
Before death, hamsters will begin to display symptoms to watch out for. Here are some of them:
- Apathy
- Sensitive to touch
- More aggressive than usual
- More nervous than usual
- Slower heart rate
- Slower breathing
- Rapid weight loss
- Excessive fear
If a hamster goes without food for too long, it may begin to display some of these symptoms. If so, consult your local veterinarian immediately.
What’s the Proper Diet for a Hamster?
Now that you know how crucial it is to feed hamsters frequently, let’s go over what a proper hamster diet consists of. Hamsters can have a wide variety of foods, which I’ll go over in the following sections.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
All fruits and vegetables should be washed and given in small quantities. Here’s a table showing some of the fruits and vegetables you can feed your hamster:
| Fruits | Vegetables |
| Apples | Spinach |
| Pears | Cucumbers |
| Peaches | Chicory |
| Melons | Cress |
| Grapes | Carrots |
| Berries | Broccoli |
| Bananas | Cabbage |
| Plums | Cauliflower |
| Cherries | Sweet peppers |
It should be noted that though many of the fruits on this list can be safely given to hamsters in tiny portions, the seeds of fruits are generally not good for them.
Cereals or Grains
Cereals and grains can be fed to hamsters, such as:
- Cheerios
- Cornflakes
- Oats
- Whole wheat crackers
- Bran
- Wheat germ
- Dried cooked rice or pasta.
Whatever you decide, make sure the cereal or grain is free from added sugar, preservatives, additives, and flavoring.
Herbs
There are plenty of safe herbs and plants for hamsters to eat. Here are some of them:
- Fennel
- Grass
- Mint
- Basil
- Dill
- Clover
- Chickweed
- Watercress
Hamsters can even eat certain kinds of flowers like daisies, dandelions, and wild marigolds.
Seeds
Sunflower seeds are particularly good for hamsters when mixed with alfalfa pellets, and larger hamsters often enjoy pumpkin seeds because of their bigger size. Both of these have plenty of nutrients. Pet shops will have bags with several mixed seeds as well.
Nuts
These are more like treats that should be given to pet hamsters occasionally. Some of the nuts hamsters can eat are:
- Walnuts
- Pine nuts
- Sweet almonds
- Cashews
- Brazil nuts
- Hazelnuts
Salted nuts should not be fed to hamsters.
Hamster Pellets
Commercial rodent pellets should be a good mix of:
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Fat
- Crude fiber
Dwarf hamsters will need to be on a sugar-free diet to prevent diabetes. However, you should always consult your veterinarian about your particular hamster’s caloric dietary needs.
Timothy Hay
Though not nutritionally necessary, timothy hay can be given to hamsters a couple of times per week as a snack. There are several benefits to giving your hamster timothy hay, including:
- It’s a good source of fiber.
- It promotes dental health.
- It’s low in calories, so it’s great for regulating weight.
- It promotes healthy digestion.
Boiled Eggs
Eggs from chickens, quail, and ducks are great for a hamster’s diet. They’re a good source of:
- Protein
- Iron
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
These eggs can be safely given to hamsters a couple of times per week.
Mealworms
Mealworms are another great source of protein for hamsters, and they can be given dead or alive. In the wild, hamsters will eat small bugs from time to time, so they can occasionally be given mealworms. You can even buy bags of dried mealworms at your local pet store or online.
Constant Access to Fresh Water
Aside from needing food daily, hamsters also need to drink fresh water frequently. Water can be provided by bowl or bottle. Many pet owners use both. Hamsters can also extract water from their fruits and vegetables, which is why they shouldn’t be solely eating dry pellets.
How Many Days Can a Hamster Go Without Water?
Hamsters can go three or four days without water. At that point, they will die of dehydration. Though negative symptoms may begin to show within a day. Hamsters can also overheat without water.
It’s essential that you provide your hamster with enough fresh drinking water daily.
Dangerous Foods for Hamsters
It should be noted there are foods considered dangerous for hamsters to consume. Here’s a short list of some of them:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Processed sugar
- Bitter almonds
- Citrus fruits
- Unwashed vegetables
This is not an exhaustive list, but rather a starter list to keep in mind when feeding your hamster. Not all of those food items are fatal, but can still make your hamster sick.
For good measure, here’s a YouTube video from Victoria Raechel with some great tips on what to feed your hamster:
How To Leave Food for a Hamster While You’re Gone
I’ve established what a hamster can and should eat. Now let’s discuss what to do when you’re away from home.
If you’re going to be gone for more than a weekend, it’s recommended you have someone stay with your hamster or that you drop them off with a pet watcher or boarding facility.
For a weekend trip, there are several automatic food dispensers and water dishes on the market to consider. Hamster water bottles can last for weeks, as long as you make sure the bottle is securely attached to the cage. If you’re not sure how to do that, watch this other short video from Victoria Raechel:
That said, automatic feeders, are only recommended for short trips, not extended vacations. Here are four to consider buying for your hamster (all available on Amazon.com), along with their benefits:
| Kaytee Gravity Bin Feeder | A gravity feeder that prevents hamsters from inhaling pellet dust. It has a two-pound food capacity, which can last up to five days. |
| Kaytee Critter Trail Food Dispenser | Ideal for modular cages. |
| Lixit Reversible Waterer/Feeder | Made for aquarium-style cages. It’s easy to remove and clean. It also minimizes food waste. |
| Old Tijjko Automatic Pet Feeder | This one dispenses both food and water. It won’t dispense its contents until the hamster has emptied the bowl. |
Final Thoughts
This article has explored the ins and outs of a hamster’s dietary needs and the unfortunate consequence of not feeding your pet frequently enough.
Use this information to carefully consider your options when you plan on leaving your hamster alone for a few days. Your hamster’s life depends on it.