How much should dwarf hamsters weigh and eat?

[NicoleL88]

Hey all,

I was just wondering what is a healthy weight for a campbells dwarf hamster?
We had Stitch weighed at the vet last week and she was 60g. Is this a healthy weight?

Also, I usually scoop some mix up with her bowl and leave it in the cage for two/three days and then replace it. Should I wait until it's all gone? Should I just feed a certain amount every day?

Can't believe I never wondered these things before!

[NicoleL88]

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[racinghamster]

Hi Nicole. I always just feed a teaspoonful and leave it for up to three days. Dwarf hamsters eat small amounts, so giving them too much will just lie around spoiling. Right now I feed my elderly roborovski Burgess Supahamster dwarf mix and WAGG. He was fed the WAGG when I adopted him and since he likes it, I didn`t want to change him completely, so I just add half and half between both mixes for more variety. Hope this helps.

A small amount of food can also be scattered in toys or around areas of the cage to encourage foraging. x

[Munchalot]

Sometimes it depends on the hamster. I have two dwarfs, one of which is physically quite a big boy, and he doesn't eat much at all. I give him a level teaspoon once every 2-3 days, depending one how much he has eaten and whether he has just picked bits out. My other dwarf is TINY, almost the size of a robo, and she loves her food! She gets a big heaped teaspoon every other day, and she clears the bowl.

I think because russians vary so much in size and shape, particularly hybrids, it's difficult to give a guideline on a healthy weight. :/

[HollyHamster]

With dwarf hamsters, and its most usually the hybrids, the size of the ham can very from individual to individual. Some hybrids are huge, by dwarf standards, while others are quite small. I wouldn't worry too much about the wieght of your dwarf ham if you're feeding them a good commercial mix.

As for the amounts to feed, I would just put a handful of food in the dish, or scatter feed, whichever you prefer to do. That should be plenty for a dwarf of any size to be at a healthy weight.

[Clairealex]

Hi Nicole,

I have a dwarf and he comes in at 11cm long and 78g :O I feed him a tablespoon full and now leave it until it's mostly gone. Usually takes about a day and a half. He gets plenty of exercise, I think he's just a chunky guy!

[NicoleL88]

Thanks all!