HamsterWhat can a hamster eat?
20 foods checked against vets’ sources: what’s fine, what only now and then, and what never.
Every day
Hamster pellets as the base (better than mixes, where it picks only the sweet bits), plus a teaspoon or two of vegetables, fruit and herbs a day, and timothy hay. Not much fruit: sugar makes it fat. Remove leftover food every day.
No food matches: if it isn’t on the list, ask your vet before giving it.
Never
Chocolate and sweetsNo
Chocolate is toxic to animals and sweets cause weight gain: no chocolate, candy or junk food.
GrapesNo
The RSPCA warns that grapes can be poisonous to rodents: don't give them.
OnionNo
Best avoided: the Oregon shelter says to avoid it, and in dogs and cats the onion family damages red blood cells.
Oranges and other citrusNo
They're very acidic: the PDSA advises avoiding them until research says more.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
Raw beansNo
Don't give raw beans: they're among the foods to avoid.
RhubarbNo
It can be poisonous to rodents.
Only now and then, a little
AppleA little
Fine in small pieces as a treat, without the seeds.
How much: A small piece: fruit is sugary, so give only a little.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
BananaA little
Fine in small pieces as a treat: it's very sugary.
How much: A small piece, not every day.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
Boiled egg and mealwormsA little
Hamsters also eat insects: a bit of boiled egg or a mealworm makes a good occasional treat.
How much: A small piece, now and then.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
CarrotA little
Fine in small bits, but it's sugary: don't overdo it (too much sugar leads to weight gain).
How much: A small bit.
Pear, peach and melonA little
Fine in small pieces as a treat, since they're sugary.
How much: A small piece, not every day.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
Seeds and nutsA little
Hamsters love them, but they're fatty: too many cause weight gain and make them skip their pellets.
How much: Now and then, as a treat.
Source: Merck Veterinary Manual: Providing a Home for a Hamster
TomatoA little
The PDSA lists it among suitable fruits: in small pieces, as a treat.
How much: A small piece.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
Wholewheat bread and sugar-free cerealA little
A small piece now and then is fine as a treat; sugar-free is best.
How much: A small bit, as a treat.
Fine
BroccoliYes
Fine in small amounts, along with other vegetables.
How much: Fruit and veg together: a teaspoon or two a day, varied and washed.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
CeleryYes
Fine in small amounts, washed well.
How much: Fruit and veg together: a teaspoon or two a day, varied and washed.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
CucumberYes
Fine in small amounts, washed well.
How much: Fruit and veg together: a teaspoon or two a day, varied and washed.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
Hamster pelletsYes
They're the core of the diet: every piece has everything needed, so the hamster can't pick out only the tasty bits.
How much: A measured amount every day.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
Spinach and lettuceYes
Fine in small pieces, along with other vegetables.
How much: Small pieces: the PDSA says a teaspoon or two of fruit and veg a day; the Oregon shelter says every 2-3 days.
Sweet pepperYes
Fine in small amounts, along with other vegetables.
How much: Fruit and veg together: a teaspoon or two a day, varied and washed.
Source: PDSA: Hamsters as pets
When to call the vet Emergency: who to call
What other pets can eat
Rabbit Guinea pig Pet rat Ferret Canary Budgies Cockatiel Lovebirds Tortoise Red-eared slider Leopard gecko Bearded dragon Goldfish Betta fish Dogs and cats: can my pet eat it?
Sources
- PDSA: Hamsters as pets (checked on October 14, 2026)
- Oregon Humane Society: Hamster Care Sheet (checked on October 14, 2026)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Providing a Home for a Hamster (checked on October 14, 2026)
- RSPCA: What To Feed a Pet Hamster (checked on October 14, 2026)