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Learn how to care for a gerbil, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Short-haired, Long-haired, Hairless and European Hamsters are clean and captivating companion animals that are best kept individually.
Updated on July 18th, 2026
Learn everything you need to know about caring for your hamster, including habitat setup, diet, and tips for keeping them happy and healthy.
Updated on June 19th, 2026

As your hamster settles into their new environment, learn how to build trust with them and pick them up with training and treats.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Hamsters are a lot of fun in a small package. Learn 25 fun facts about these small pets.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
If you feed a good quality gerbil food it will have all the nutritional requirements. You can supplement the diet with hay, fruit and veg, meal worms etc. If you find that the gerbils are picky about what they eat you could add a vitamin and mineral supplement to their water, but it is not a definite requirement.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
1. No, not true. A high-fiber, fortified food should make up approximately 90% of your hamster's diet. A complete fortified food such as Oxbow’s Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food would be the best option. You don't want a diet that contains a lot of seeds. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/oxbow-essentials-hamster-and-gerbil-food Here are some things you can try to offer in small amounts as a treat: Asparagus Baked or Steamed Chicken, Turkey or Cod Fish (Skin and bones removed.) Bananas Boiled or Scrambled Eggs Blackberries Blueberries Cantaloupe Cauliflower Cooked Brown Rice (plain) Cooked Whole Grain Pasta Flax Seed Lentils Mango Melon Mild Cheeses Nutritional Yeast Oatmeal Plain Tofu Raspberries Romaine Lettuce Seedless Apples Seedless Grapes Squash Strawberries Sweet Potatoes Unsalted Popcorn (no butter) Unsalted Pumpkin Seeds Unsalted Soybeans Fruit and whole grains can upset the GI tract if offered in too high levels. As a rule of thumb, only 5-10 percent of the diet should be these foods. 2. No, on any citrus fruits.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
for right now, keeping Eliot fed & providing adequate moisture is the key. Soaking his pellets, offering fruit & vegetable baby foods, even using Oxbows Critical Care for bunnies is appropriate. If he is still symptomatic on Monday, have your veterinarian evaluate him in case he needs deworming or an antibiotic. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, & sorry for the disconnect. The dog hit return on my keyboard.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
It depends on where you go but in general anywhere between $10-20 per hamster. You must then add in the cost for a cage, toys (they love wheels), water bottle, food and a dust free litter. Sometimes you can find kits that will include all these items. Once again prices vary widely based on the size of the cage. Hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
I would recommend a commercial diet as well to ensure he is getting all the nutrients he needs. He also needs hard substances to chew on to help file his teeth down. Hamsters have constantly growing teeth and without proper diets and care, they can have malocclusions and teeth problems in the future. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025