What can hamsters eat?

Rhubarb: the RSPCA says it can be poisonous to rodents. None of our hamster sources calls avocado, chocolate, onions or garlic toxic, but they advise against them, so we rate them “Better not.” If your hamster shows signs of illness or poisoning, see your vet immediately (RSPCA).

A dry food as the basis, plus constant access to hay and fresh water (TVT, RSPCA). Sources disagree on which dry food: PDSA, the Royal Veterinary College, Merck and the University of Minnesota recommend pellets; according to PDSA and Merck, hamsters tend to pick out their favorite bits from a mix. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT), the German Animal Welfare Federation, the Swiss animal welfare society (STS), Blue Cross and Woodgreen recommend a seed mix, and the RSPCA mentions both.

For a Syrian hamster, Woodgreen suggests about 10 g of dry food a day, about 1 tablespoon; the German Animal Welfare Federation says 10 to 15 g, the Swiss animal welfare society about 2 teaspoons and the TVT 2 to 3 teaspoons. Dwarf hamsters need about 5 to 8 g, about 1 teaspoon (Woodgreen, TVT). These are starting points – your hamster’s weight shows whether the amount is right.

Syrian hamster food with large grains and fatty seeds isn’t suitable for dwarf hamsters (TVT); they do best on a mix with lots of smaller seeds (Woodgreen). The TVT advises against giving dwarf hamsters any fruit, and Blue Cross mentions fruit as an occasional treat for Syrian hamsters only. That’s why every fruit page here has a note.

Fresh food every day (TVT, German Animal Welfare Federation), but only a little: a teaspoon or two of fruit, vegetables and herbs a day (PDSA), in portions as small as your hamster’s ear (Blue Cross). According to the TVT, very small amounts are enough, ideally vegetables and herbs that don’t cause gas and are low in sugar. Wash everything first (PDSA). Merck says treats should make up no more than 10% of the diet, and Woodgreen offers ear-sized treats only once or twice a week.

Yes, hamsters are omnivores (Woodgreen, Blue Cross), and the TVT says a vegan diet isn’t appropriate for them. Sources differ on how often: the TVT says once a week, the German Animal Welfare Federation three times, the Swiss animal welfare society three to four times a week. Good options include mealworms and other insects, hard-boiled egg white, low-fat quark (a fresh cheese), cottage cheese, plain yogurt or plain cooked chicken.

Sugary store-bought treats such as yogurt drops and treat sticks with honey or molasses (TVT, Blue Cross, Swiss animal welfare society, Woodgreen) – sugary food can also make the cheek pouches stick together (German Animal Welfare Federation). Hamsters don’t need mineral or salt licks (TVT, Woodgreen, German Animal Welfare Federation). Nuts and seeds are very high in fat and only a rare treat (TVT, German Animal Welfare Federation).

Hamsters carry food in their cheek pouches to a hiding place (Merck, TVT). Check the stash every day and remove anything perishable such as fruit, vegetables or insects (TVT, German Animal Welfare Federation), but don’t empty it completely – that stresses your hamster (TVT, Blue Cross). Soft, swelling or sticky food can get stuck in the cheek pouches (University of Minnesota, TVT). If a cheek looks permanently stuffed, always ask your vet (Blue Cross).

If your hamster starts eating less, its droppings become moist or its hindquarters become soiled, the RSPCA says to talk to your vet immediately. If your hamster shows signs of illness or poisoning, see your vet immediately (RSPCA).

Then we rate it more cautiously and say so. Grapes, for example, can be poisonous to rodents according to the RSPCA, while Woodgreen and the German Animal Welfare Federation list them as a treat – we rate them “Better not.” The same goes for bananas, tomatoes, spinach, green beans, peaches, cabbage and bread: at least one source advises against them. Sources also disagree on the basic food (pellets or seed mix) and on animal protein (once to four times a week).