Toxic/poisonous foods?

[BexieID]

Thanks from me as well. I'd love to know if anyone's hamster likes sprouts though I didn't know they could eat half of what is on the list. Will buy a sweet potato and will try him with pepper as we have some. Rich Tea biscuits! He had some cooked chicken on Friday, but I didn't realise they could eat fish, pork, beef, gammon, ham etc as well! We used to give our Gerbils Bonios.

[Pebbles82]

Our hamster likes sprouts lol! Until I read they weren't a good idea so he's only had one. I tend to stick to what I know is ok and just avoid everything else. So carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, apple, banana, monkey nuts, cheese, brazil nut, (all as extras or treats to a hamster mix) - fruit and cheese not so often and only tiny amounts - like a couple of pieces about 1cm square. Charlie has also had grouse and pheasant!

[Lemon66|]

Originally Posted by Lily Loves Hamsters89

Raw almonds are toxic and so are any kind of human chocolate. you can buy hamster chocolate drops which i have. The best are Rotastak in my opinion!

There is a difference between ordinary almonds (also known as sweet almonds) and bitter almonds. Bitter almonds were previously used in some foods and recipies, but are hard to come by these days. They contain a compound called amygdalin, which is converted into the highly toxic compound known as cyanide acid in the digestive tract. This is the reason why you obviously shouldn't feed your hamster bitter almonds.

The reason why people recommend you to not feed your hamster sweet almonds is that they're unaware that there's a difference. Sweet almonds are high in protein, unsaturated fats and fibers, and are a good source of vitamin E (among other things) which is reqired for normal bodily functions and health in hamsters.

[Lily Loves Hamsters89]

Originally Posted by BexieID

but I didn't realise they could eat fish, pork, beef, gammon, ham etc as well! We used to give our Gerbils Bonios.

You can't give them pork!!! you cannot give them any kind of pork or pork products! it's really bad for them!

[Thin Lizzy]

Bexie, my 2 love sprouts! Just as well, as I love them lol!

[Thin Lizzy]

Hello Nindle and Welcome to the forum!

[cypher]

Originally Posted by BexieID

He had some cooked chicken on Friday, but I didn't realise they could eat fish, pork, beef, gammon, ham etc as well! We used to give our Gerbils Bonios.

As far as I know the problem with pork is that it's very fatty & most pork products are also very salty, smoked or contain other additives. I think if you can get a lean piece of roast pork with none of the fat it's ok. Gammon & ham would probably be out as they tend to be salted.
Fish isn't a natural food for hams, a tiny bit once in a while might be ok but I certainly wouldn't give it often.
Chicken is fine & maybe some lean beef but I'd go easy on meat treats generally.

[BexieID]

I was just going by the Hamster Central Wiki section

[Thin Lizzy]

I know that when I once gave mine pork they drank a lot of water afterwards. I've given them the odd bit of roast beef and they like that. Chicken is their favourite and they get a bit once a week. As for fish, my oldest likes it especially haddock and he'll get a bit of the white meat once or twice a month. My youngest doesn't like fish!

[Nindie]

Some great advice, thank you everyone. I'm a bit wary of meat as I think I rarely, if ever, fed it to my first hamster. I know chicken is bland though so I'll stick to that at some dried meal worms.

The no nos for their diet are actually more similar to dogs than I realised, with chocolate and things from the onion family etc.

I just picked her up yesterday so fingers crossed everything goes well.