My dwarf hamster doesn't seem to like veggies! What to do?

[Pharaoness]

Hi everyone,

My dwarf hamster (her name is Photini, I think it's a Campbell Russian; if anyone can confirm from her pic in my profile pic, please let me know) does not seem to like broccoli! This is strange because my Syrian loved it. I don't know how to diversify her diet and make her feel like she's getting a treat. Is there anything you can tell me that may help? Should I try something else?

Thanks!

[Pharaoness]

Just bumping this post since I really want to make my hamster happy. I just want to know how to help her feel like she's getting a treat, as opposed to just eating whatever is in her bowl. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[Pebbles82]

Hi! Sorry your post got missed. It does seem unusual for a hamster not to like broccoli! How long have you had her? If she's a baby she is maybe just starting to think about what she likes and doesn't. When they're young it's best only to give veg about every 3 days at first so it doesn't upset their tummies. She could have just eaten something and not be hungry, although ours usually snaffles any veg and pouches it if he's not hungry. You could also try carrot or cauliflower or cucumber. What size piece of broccoli did you give her? They only need a tiny little floret - no bigger than thumbnail size. If it was too big maybe it scared her lol!

Sometimes they do have dislikes and preferences. Our Syrian will eat just about any veg but is quite fussy with fruit - apples and bananas he likes but he won't touch strawberry or blueberry. Dwarf hammies shouldn't have fruit anyway by the way.

I get more veg in these days - mainly for the hamster!

[CMB]

Try different veg and broccoli it can take a few times of offering something new before they will eat it.

[Pharaoness]

Hi Serendipity7000, thanks so much for your response! I actually adopted Photini and she's about a year old, so not too young. When I've given her broccoli, it was TINY! Maybe the size of my pinky nail lol. Because she's the tiniest bundle of joy ever. She did eat egg this morning though, so that's good! thanks for the tips, I'll try carrot and cucumber, maybe she'll like one of those!

And thanks CMB for responding as well! I'll try different veggies. I just want to find something she'll get really excited about, so she feels like she's getting a treat!

[cypher]

They do all have different tastes, favourites, likes & dislikes! It's good to experiment & give as much variety as possible & always worth a few tries if they don't appear to like something first time around.
If it helps here's my list of safe veg worth giving a go.

Safe veg, those marked * are relatively high in sugar so only feed to diabetes prone species as an occasional treat if at all.
Asparagus (mine have never liked this)
Basil
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Common or red clover
Cabbage, green or red
Carrot*
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Coriander
Courgette
Cress (not mustard & cress as commonly sold together)
Cucumber
Dandelion leaves & flowers
Endive/chicory
Green beans/runner beans
Kale
Pak choi/Bok choi
Parsley
Peas/mange tout/sugar snap/snow*
Peppers, any colour
Potato/sweet potato cooked only*
Radicchio
Spinach
Squash/pumpkin*
Swede
Sweet corn/baby corn*
Turnip