Hamsters and other gerbils don’t require a very varied diet. Instead, they prefer to stick to a straightforward meal plan composed of premium commercial pet food blends. All of their dietary needs are satisfied by these foods.
Even though store-bought food contains everything they require, since they are your pet, you probably want to spoil them. Even though treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of a pet’s diet, giving them a special treat every few days can be enjoyable.
The trick is to make sure it benefits them rather than harms them or causes them to put on weight. Consult this list rather than attempting to recall all the different foods they are permitted to eat.
Top 15 things to never feed your hamster
- Bitter almonds
Why only focus on bitter almonds? Since hamsters are perfectly happy to eat sweet almonds. Almonds that are bitter contain minute amounts of the deadly poison cyanide. We wouldn’t suffer any negative effects if we ate the treat. However, the almond could poison our small friends because they are unable to handle even a tiny amount.
Remember that just because you purchase a package of sweet almonds from a store doesn’t mean you are completely safe. Every bag of sweet almonds is allowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to contain 1% bitter almonds. Even that 1% entails the potential death of a hamster.
Almonds are high in fat, so they should only be consumed occasionally. Hamsters put on harmful amounts of weight when given foods with a high fat content.
- Seeds
A hamster might think that seeds would make the ideal, bite-sized snack. They still pose a choking risk because they are not small enough to be safe. Many seeds are high in fat, even if they are the right size for them to swallow and digest. To maintain a healthy weight, one should stay away from anything high in fat.
In addition to being high in fat and a choking hazard, many fruit seeds also contain minute amounts of the deadly poison cyanide. Despite the fact that we occasionally eat them, these seeds frequently contain enough poison to kill a hamster. These include, among others, pear, apple, and cherry seeds.
- Kidney beans
When giving your hamster a special treat, it is wise to stay away from the majority of beans. They are difficult for them to digest, which causes them to have gas and frequently cause bloating. However, kidney beans should never be eaten raw because they are poisonous. Hamsters shouldn’t eat anything that has been processed or cooked because they present problems even after being cooked.
- Plants treated with pesticides
You should make sure that any plant you give your hamster is suitable for them before feeding it to them. This isn’t the final step, though. Even if it is fresh, wash it off right away after picking it up.
Any plants that have been chemically treated in any way can cause serious health problems for hamsters. Their diminutive size is the cause of this. Trace amounts of a chemical can harm a hamster even if it has been approved for human consumption.
- Plants high in oxalic acid
Some plants contain a lot of oxalic acid, so hamsters should stay away from anything acidic to eat. This substance is present in large amounts in greens like rhubarb leaves. A good rule of thumb is to look for plants that have naturally colored leaves with red or yellow veins and higher levels of oxalic acid to help you determine what kinds of plants these are. A few of these are:
- Rhubarb
- Swiss chard
- Bok choy
- Light green leafy veggies
Hamsters have digestive problems with leaves that are light green. They are not very nutrient-dense. They instead cause diarrhea. Choose darker-colored greens instead, like dandelion leaves, romaine lettuce, kale, and carrot tops.
- Celery
Many people believe that since hamsters are omnivores, they should be able to consume any plant. Although this is true for many different plant varieties, it can be dangerous to assume this.
One of the plants that hamsters shouldn’t eat is celery. They are not poisonous to hamsters, but their stringy texture makes them choking hazards. Make them smaller by cutting them into tiny pieces if you want to feed them celery. Having been cut, the strings are now sufficiently short to be secure.
- Onion family
The majority of plants in the onion family are poisonous to guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small mammals. Among these plants are the following:
- Shallots
- Chives
- Leeks
- Onions
- Garlic
When it comes to this family of plants, you should avoid giving them both the leaves and the bulbous, vegetable portion of the plant.
- Tomato leaves and stems
Tomatoes should only be given as a special treat to hamsters on very rare occasions. Despite being dark green, the leaves and stems cannot be included. They are poisonous to hamsters, and too much of them can be fatal.
- Potatoes
When deciding whether to give your hamster potatoes, think about the nutritional value of potato chips. Despite how delicious they are, hamsters receive nothing substantial from them.
Because potatoes are high in starches, they quickly chunk up your hamster. Their meals don’t need to contain “fillers.”
- Spicy and seasoned foods
Consider the kinds of foods that wild hamsters might find to eat. They do not intend to, nor do they desire, to eat a five-course meal with numerous flavors. The GI tract of your hamster may become irritated by anything spicy or overly flavorful. By not giving them table scraps, you can prevent this. Food can become more difficult to digest even with basic seasonings like salt and pepper.
- Synthetic sugars
Like everyone else, hamsters enjoy a tasty, sugary treat. They will always choose the sugary food if given the option between it and a healthier alternative. Only give them fruit treats once or twice a week to reduce their options.
Never give chocolate or any other kind of candy to your hamster. They have a difficult time processing these artificial sugars because of the small size of their bodies.
- Dairy products
There is no reason why a hamster would discover a dairy item outside in the wild besides their mother’s milk. Your hamster may gain weight if you give it milk or other dairy products, and you won’t be providing it with the nutrition it needs. This could result in a lot of serious problems. Don’t buy items like:
- Cream cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Kefir
- Milk
- Sour cream
- Caffeine
Hamsters are very good at controlling their heart rates on their own. Already, their hearts were beating at a rate of 10-15 beats per second. Any amount of caffeine causes their heart rate to soar even more, which may result in a cardiac arrest or other cardiovascular problems.
- Other animal food
Hamsters should never be given meat, so you should be aware that they should never consume the kibble of other animals either. An omnivore needs a certain quantity of protein for a well-balanced diet. This protein, which is incorporated into the kibble, can be problematic for hamsters. You should also stay away from pet foods for animals like cats, dogs, and ferrets, to name a few.
Any hamster owner will tell you that their pet’s health and happiness are their top priorities. Knowing what to feed and what to avoid feeding your hamster is a important first step in protecting them. There are numerous treats that add essential nutrients to a hamster’s diet. To build a relationship with your furry friend and spoil them a little, give them these in moderation.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on food, toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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