🐹 Why Foraging Is Important for Hamsters & Gerbils
Foraging—searching, digging, and exploring for food—is a natural behaviour for hamsters and gerbils. Encouraging it in captivity supports both their physical and emotional wellbeing.
 
🌿 Supports Natural Instincts
Hamsters and gerbils instinctively dig, gather, and hide food. Foraging lets them express these behaviours naturally.
 
🧠 Provides Mental Stimulation
It keeps them engaged and prevents boredom, which can lead to stress or destructive habits.
 
💪 Promotes Healthy Exercise
Foraging encourages movement—digging, sniffing, climbing—and helps maintain a healthy weight.
 
😌 Reduces Stress
A stimulating environment with foraging opportunities helps prevent anxiety and repetitive behaviours like bar-chewing.
 
✔️ Easy Ways to Offer Foraging
Scatter feeding, hiding treats in bedding or toys, foraging mixes, shredded paper, and safe enrichment items.