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Safe and unsafe fruit and vegetables for Hamsters
(note - this post is also combined with the safe and unsafe treats post as part of the home page article on safe and unsafe foods)
Providing Hamsters have a good hamster mix, with the correct nutrients and protein levels, they do not need any supplements. However they enjoy a bit of fresh food occasionally, in very small quantities and it can have health benefits, and give stimulation and enrichment to their lives. We recommend giving a small piece of veg every day. But only every 2 or 3 days for the first couple of weeks initially, until they adjust to it.
Most everyday fruit and vegetables are suitable for hamsters, in very small quantities - with exceptions. Most of this is common sense and using commonly eaten fresh food. Raw is better than cooked veg, but both are fine. (With the exception of raw potato and onion - see below).
Syrians and Roborovskis can have fruit, but it is best to avoid fresh and dried fruit with diabetes prone species, due to the sugars. Diabetes prone species are Russian Hybrid Dwarfs, Campbells Dwarfs and Chinese Hamsters. Bear in mind your Winter White hamster could well be a hybrid dwarf hamster unless it has a pedigree and clear ancestry from a verified breeder who belongs to a reputable breeder association. The following vet article explains that diabetes prone Chinese hamsters have specific dietary needs. It's quite old and some of the links are out of date, but it's still relevant.
" If your hamster has this genetic make up, then you can delay or prevent the onset of diabetes by careful attention to his diet."
Pete the vet - click here
If in doubt, leave it out.
We also have members who are very experienced in hamster nutrition and dietary matters, so feel free to ask if you’re not sure about anything.
A daily piece of veg or fruit should be no bigger than your hamster’s ear, approximately.
Everyday fruit and vegetables that are safe for Hamsters
Green vegetables such as broccoli, and peas, are probably the most nutritious, with the exception of lettuce which is mainly water and too much lettuce can lead to diarrhoea. Cucumber is popular with hamsters and can be useful for hydration in a pet carrier also. A small spinach leaf occasionally is also fine, but not every day as Spinach is healthy but also contains oxalates (see below). Cabbage is fine but not too much or often as the water content and high fibre content can lead to gas and bloatedness or diarrhoea. Green beans (runner beans/string beans) are fine, but have strings down the side, so it's best to pull the strings off first. Baby corn and cauliflower are also fine. Celery is also stringy, so not ideal unless you remove all the strings. Carrot is fine. Courgettes are fine. Most veg, other than those listed below as not good for hamsters, are fine, but if you're not sure about something, ask on the forum.
Safe fruits (with no pips or stones), include apple, blueberries, a bit of strawberry, melon, banana, peach or nectarine, cherries (see below for information about toxic fruit seeds).
Safe Herbs and Flowers (with exceptions):
There are also many herbs and flower herbs hamsters can have in moderation - but be aware that strongly scented or aromatic herbs can be too strong a scent for hamsters. Also be aware that many herbs are also medicinal plants which could have a medicinal effect (for example white willow bark contains the ingredient that makes aspirin, some herbs such as dandelion are diuretic - so moderation is needed, and best avoided in hamsters with kidney issues, and some herbs are poisonous), but keeping to these few simple ones is ok. Red clover and Parsley have known uterine stimulant effects and are best avoided with pregnant hamsters and possibly female hamsters generally. Parsley has many health benefits otherwise, including helping prevent or manage diabetes. (See 1 and 2 below)
Generally it is probably best not to give any herbs to pregnant hamsters due to the possible medicinal effects.
Herbs that are safe to give (with exceptions)
Dandelion leaves (or dandelion root) - but not if the hamster has kidney disease
Chickweed
Cress
Grass (if not polluted - you can buy nibble grass to grow in a pot)
Calendula petals (Calendula is English marigold - don't use French marigold which is bitter tasting and used as an insecticide)
Cornflowers
Rose petals
Sunflower petals
White clover (not red clover which is medicinally associated with uterine functions and oestrogen levels and could cause abortion)
Parsley - Shown to lower and balance blood sugar levels, and protect the liver in diabetes and possibly to help prevent diabetes. But best avoided with pregnant hamsters (see above). (See 1 and 2 below again)
Veg and fruits that are not good for hamsters are:
(These are not things hamsters would come across in the wild)
Citrus fruits - particularly lemon and lime which are highly acidic - they could cause issues with pouches due to acidity. Oranges are less acidic. Citrus fruits are also high in an acidic form of Vitamin C and research shows that pure ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) increases cancer and tumour growth in hamsters (See 3 below). In addition we don't feel acidic foods are suitable for hamsters to eat or digest and they are not something hamsters need or would eat in the wild.
Onion and garlic - This includes all types of onion including leeks. Research shows onion can cause haemolytic anaemia in hamsters and many domestic animals, which can lead to breathing difficulties and heart failure. Onions and garlic also contain thiosulphate, which is toxic to hamsters in large amounts (but not humans) - but the main concern is haemolytic anaemia, causing breathlessness leading to heart failure. (See 4 and 5 below). Onion is actually used as rat poison. (See 5a below). "Avoid cooked onions or any processed onions. Onion juice, powder and broth are still as harmful as raw onions." (See 5b below). Some people feel a tiny amount of cooked onion in baby foods is safe, but we feel they should be avoided. There are plenty of baby food options without onion and we feel that onions and garlic are not appropriate for hamsters, due to the risks. Hamsters don't need foods such as onions and would not eat them in the wild. Most 4 months age group baby food doesn't include onion. Our list of safe baby foods can be found here
Safe baby foods for hamsters - click here
Spices
Salt
Sugary foods
Rhubarb leaves (the leaves of rhubarb have very high oxalates and are poisonous to hamsters and humans)
Rhubarb (rhubarb stems/fruit are also quite high in oxalates, acidic and could cause illness and digestive issues). It's not a suitable fruit for hamsters. The RSPCA say don't give rhubarb to hamsters (See 8 below)
Avocado - Avocado stones and skins contain Persin, which, while safe for humans, is toxic to animals. Persin can leach out from the stones and skin into the flesh. Persin can cause ill health or digestive problems in animals, including hamsters, even if it may not be fatal. We think it's not worth the risk plus it is high in fat. (See 6 below).
Fruit Pips and seeds - These include Apple Pips, Pear Pips. Grape Pips and cherry stones. It's best to avoid the seed and pips of all fruit. They contain amygdalin which converts into the poison, cyanide, when digested. While humans would need to eat a lot of apple seeds for it to kill them, it is unknown how much apple pip (or similar fruit pips) could kill a hamster but it's not something worth risking and may cause illness. The flesh and skin of apples is fine, if the skin is washed. (See 6 below)
Grapes and Raisins - there are different opinions over whether Grapes themselves, and not just the pips, are safe or not. The RSPCA says they are not safe and can be poisonous to rodents (see 8 below). Others suggest they are safe and people have given them without issues. The exotic vet in the article below, says they are safe to give occasionally. The notion of grapes being unsafe may be due to the possibility of mycotoxins that can be present in some grapes. These are not visible on the surface and are within the fruit itself. This also applies to dried fruit such as raisins. "Grapes are vulnerable to be affected by various types of fungal, and the toxinogenic fungi can produce mycotoxins" (See 9 below) "Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites. Due to their chemical properties and concentration levels, mycotoxins have been considered as the cause of acute and chronic diseases of both human beings and animals. Moreover, mycotoxins and their toxic transformation products might survive from the process of the foodstuff production and completely remain active in the final product" (See 10 below). "analysis of 14 tested samples (10 raisins samples) and 4 fresh grape fruits samples, showed that 8/14 positive samples were found to be contaminated with mycotoxins" (See 11 below).
While some people have given grapes and raisins occasionally without issue, bearing in mind the above and possible chronic or long term health effects of mycotoxins, we don't recommend giving grapes or raisins. There are plenty of other things hamsters can eat.
Continued .............
(note - this post is also combined with the safe and unsafe treats post as part of the home page article on safe and unsafe foods)
Providing Hamsters have a good hamster mix, with the correct nutrients and protein levels, they do not need any supplements. However they enjoy a bit of fresh food occasionally, in very small quantities and it can have health benefits, and give stimulation and enrichment to their lives. We recommend giving a small piece of veg every day. But only every 2 or 3 days for the first couple of weeks initially, until they adjust to it.
Most everyday fruit and vegetables are suitable for hamsters, in very small quantities - with exceptions. Most of this is common sense and using commonly eaten fresh food. Raw is better than cooked veg, but both are fine. (With the exception of raw potato and onion - see below).
Syrians and Roborovskis can have fruit, but it is best to avoid fresh and dried fruit with diabetes prone species, due to the sugars. Diabetes prone species are Russian Hybrid Dwarfs, Campbells Dwarfs and Chinese Hamsters. Bear in mind your Winter White hamster could well be a hybrid dwarf hamster unless it has a pedigree and clear ancestry from a verified breeder who belongs to a reputable breeder association. The following vet article explains that diabetes prone Chinese hamsters have specific dietary needs. It's quite old and some of the links are out of date, but it's still relevant.
" If your hamster has this genetic make up, then you can delay or prevent the onset of diabetes by careful attention to his diet."
Pete the vet - click here
If in doubt, leave it out.
We also have members who are very experienced in hamster nutrition and dietary matters, so feel free to ask if you’re not sure about anything.
A daily piece of veg or fruit should be no bigger than your hamster’s ear, approximately.
Everyday fruit and vegetables that are safe for Hamsters
Green vegetables such as broccoli, and peas, are probably the most nutritious, with the exception of lettuce which is mainly water and too much lettuce can lead to diarrhoea. Cucumber is popular with hamsters and can be useful for hydration in a pet carrier also. A small spinach leaf occasionally is also fine, but not every day as Spinach is healthy but also contains oxalates (see below). Cabbage is fine but not too much or often as the water content and high fibre content can lead to gas and bloatedness or diarrhoea. Green beans (runner beans/string beans) are fine, but have strings down the side, so it's best to pull the strings off first. Baby corn and cauliflower are also fine. Celery is also stringy, so not ideal unless you remove all the strings. Carrot is fine. Courgettes are fine. Most veg, other than those listed below as not good for hamsters, are fine, but if you're not sure about something, ask on the forum.
Safe fruits (with no pips or stones), include apple, blueberries, a bit of strawberry, melon, banana, peach or nectarine, cherries (see below for information about toxic fruit seeds).
Safe Herbs and Flowers (with exceptions):
There are also many herbs and flower herbs hamsters can have in moderation - but be aware that strongly scented or aromatic herbs can be too strong a scent for hamsters. Also be aware that many herbs are also medicinal plants which could have a medicinal effect (for example white willow bark contains the ingredient that makes aspirin, some herbs such as dandelion are diuretic - so moderation is needed, and best avoided in hamsters with kidney issues, and some herbs are poisonous), but keeping to these few simple ones is ok. Red clover and Parsley have known uterine stimulant effects and are best avoided with pregnant hamsters and possibly female hamsters generally. Parsley has many health benefits otherwise, including helping prevent or manage diabetes. (See 1 and 2 below)
Generally it is probably best not to give any herbs to pregnant hamsters due to the possible medicinal effects.
Herbs that are safe to give (with exceptions)
Dandelion leaves (or dandelion root) - but not if the hamster has kidney disease
Chickweed
Cress
Grass (if not polluted - you can buy nibble grass to grow in a pot)
Calendula petals (Calendula is English marigold - don't use French marigold which is bitter tasting and used as an insecticide)
Cornflowers
Rose petals
Sunflower petals
White clover (not red clover which is medicinally associated with uterine functions and oestrogen levels and could cause abortion)
Parsley - Shown to lower and balance blood sugar levels, and protect the liver in diabetes and possibly to help prevent diabetes. But best avoided with pregnant hamsters (see above). (See 1 and 2 below again)
Veg and fruits that are not good for hamsters are:
(These are not things hamsters would come across in the wild)
Citrus fruits - particularly lemon and lime which are highly acidic - they could cause issues with pouches due to acidity. Oranges are less acidic. Citrus fruits are also high in an acidic form of Vitamin C and research shows that pure ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) increases cancer and tumour growth in hamsters (See 3 below). In addition we don't feel acidic foods are suitable for hamsters to eat or digest and they are not something hamsters need or would eat in the wild.
Onion and garlic - This includes all types of onion including leeks. Research shows onion can cause haemolytic anaemia in hamsters and many domestic animals, which can lead to breathing difficulties and heart failure. Onions and garlic also contain thiosulphate, which is toxic to hamsters in large amounts (but not humans) - but the main concern is haemolytic anaemia, causing breathlessness leading to heart failure. (See 4 and 5 below). Onion is actually used as rat poison. (See 5a below). "Avoid cooked onions or any processed onions. Onion juice, powder and broth are still as harmful as raw onions." (See 5b below). Some people feel a tiny amount of cooked onion in baby foods is safe, but we feel they should be avoided. There are plenty of baby food options without onion and we feel that onions and garlic are not appropriate for hamsters, due to the risks. Hamsters don't need foods such as onions and would not eat them in the wild. Most 4 months age group baby food doesn't include onion. Our list of safe baby foods can be found here
Safe baby foods for hamsters - click here
Spices
Salt
Sugary foods
Rhubarb leaves (the leaves of rhubarb have very high oxalates and are poisonous to hamsters and humans)
Rhubarb (rhubarb stems/fruit are also quite high in oxalates, acidic and could cause illness and digestive issues). It's not a suitable fruit for hamsters. The RSPCA say don't give rhubarb to hamsters (See 8 below)
Avocado - Avocado stones and skins contain Persin, which, while safe for humans, is toxic to animals. Persin can leach out from the stones and skin into the flesh. Persin can cause ill health or digestive problems in animals, including hamsters, even if it may not be fatal. We think it's not worth the risk plus it is high in fat. (See 6 below).
Fruit Pips and seeds - These include Apple Pips, Pear Pips. Grape Pips and cherry stones. It's best to avoid the seed and pips of all fruit. They contain amygdalin which converts into the poison, cyanide, when digested. While humans would need to eat a lot of apple seeds for it to kill them, it is unknown how much apple pip (or similar fruit pips) could kill a hamster but it's not something worth risking and may cause illness. The flesh and skin of apples is fine, if the skin is washed. (See 6 below)
Grapes and Raisins - there are different opinions over whether Grapes themselves, and not just the pips, are safe or not. The RSPCA says they are not safe and can be poisonous to rodents (see 8 below). Others suggest they are safe and people have given them without issues. The exotic vet in the article below, says they are safe to give occasionally. The notion of grapes being unsafe may be due to the possibility of mycotoxins that can be present in some grapes. These are not visible on the surface and are within the fruit itself. This also applies to dried fruit such as raisins. "Grapes are vulnerable to be affected by various types of fungal, and the toxinogenic fungi can produce mycotoxins" (See 9 below) "Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites. Due to their chemical properties and concentration levels, mycotoxins have been considered as the cause of acute and chronic diseases of both human beings and animals. Moreover, mycotoxins and their toxic transformation products might survive from the process of the foodstuff production and completely remain active in the final product" (See 10 below). "analysis of 14 tested samples (10 raisins samples) and 4 fresh grape fruits samples, showed that 8/14 positive samples were found to be contaminated with mycotoxins" (See 11 below).
While some people have given grapes and raisins occasionally without issue, bearing in mind the above and possible chronic or long term health effects of mycotoxins, we don't recommend giving grapes or raisins. There are plenty of other things hamsters can eat.
Continued .............
Last edited: