What Are Good Hamster Treats for Your Furry Foodie?

Other tips about hamster treats:

• Keep track of how many snacks you’re giving them because hamsters are easy to overfeed.
• Remove any uneaten food from their enclosure every day. This is to prevent mold from growing on their food and the infestation of bugs. 
• Check their cages frequently, just in case they’re hoarding snacks (and to avoid the whole bugs and mold issue). 
• If you’re going to treat your pet to fruits and vegetables, wash them thoroughly to remove any pesticides or chemicals.

To help protect your little buddy, we’ve put together the following list of safe and unsafe hamster snacks. By no means is this a complete list. If you have more questions about treats, talk with your veterinarian. You can also find healthy hamster treats at Pet Supplies Plus. Now, let’s get snacking.

Safe Fruits for Hamsters

• Red or green apples – But no seeds (they contain trace amounts of cyanide) and not too much skin (can be too much fiber to digest)
• Bananas – In moderation because of their high sugar content
• Strawberries – A good source of vitamins and minerals
• Grapes – Very small amounts since grapes are high in sugar
• Peaches – But no pits (can contain cyanide and pits are too much snack)
• Tomatoes – Without the seeds, leaves or stems (they can be toxic to hamsters)
• Watermelon – In moderation, otherwise they might get dehydrated or diarrhea

Safe Vegetables for Hamsters

• Dark greens – These include spinach, broccoli spears, romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, kale and carrot tops 
• Celery – Make sure you cut them into itty, bitty pieces and remove any celery strings (they’re a potential choking hazard)
• Cucumbers – Not a lot because it could lead to dehydration or diarrhea
• Parsnip – Make sure it’s boiled (raw parsnips are a no-no)
• Peas – They’re soft and just the right size
• Timothy hay – Great for gnawing and supporting healthy teeth

Safe Hamster Seed Treats

• Sunflower seeds – The fats and vitamins are a nutritional bonus
• Unsalted peanuts – A great source of protein
• Unsalted, roasted almonds – In moderate amounts due to their high fat content
• Walnuts – Loaded with nutrients

You can also treat your hamster to some cooked brown rice, cooked chicken, hard-boiled eggs, whole grain bread and cereal.

Unsafe Hamster Snacks

• Bitter and salted almonds – The bitter kind have trace amounts of cyanide while salted ones have, well, too much salt
• Anything with caffeine – Will cause your hamster’s heart rate to skyrocket
• Anything spicy or seasoned – Could irritate your pet’s stomach
• Citrus fruits – Foods like oranges, grapefruit and lemons are way too acidic for them
• Chocolate – Extremely toxic to hamsters
• Candies and processed sweets – Too many empty calories and high in sugar
• Light-green leafy vegetables – Foods like iceberg lettuce can lead to digestive issues for hamsters
• Rhubarb – Too much oxalic acid 
• Onions – Anything from the onion family (e.g., garlic, leeks, chives) can be toxic to hamsters
• Raw potatoes – Too hard to digest and they contain a toxic substance called solanine
• Most beans – They can cause gas and bloating

Conclusion

If they could, hamsters would snack away the day. Thankfully they have you to make sure they’re only eating treats that are safe for them. And since it doesn’t take much to fill their bellies, portion sizes are very important. We agree hamster cheeks stuffed with food is cute, but we find healthy hamsters even cuter.