Toxic/poisonous foods?

[Nindie]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and I'm about to get a hamster. I haven't had one since secondary school and advise had changed a lot since then. I just wondered if you lovely experienced owner could recommend which foods need to be avoided so I know to stay away from this. I'm talking foods like chocolate which could be really dangerous for a hamster.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[SquishyHelium]

I would offer the advice to stick largely to a good quality hamster food or mix as the main part of the hamster's diet - don't go giving lots of different human foods as then there won't be any need to worry what is toxic and what isn't.

A small piece of fruit or veg can be given daily but caution must be exercised with which ones- as many don't suit hamsters at all. Safe fruits/veg can include carrot, sweetcorn, peas, broccoli, apple, strawberry (to name a few) but far more extensive lists can be found online or on the forum here. Be sure not to overdo the quantity though.

Good luck

[cypher]

Hi Nindie welcome to HC
Check out the wiki section here which gives a list of safe & unsafe foods, if you don't see something & want to know if it's safe just ask & someone should know.

[Artisans_uk]

Originally Posted by Nindie

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and I'm about to get a hamster. I haven't had one since secondary school and advise had changed a lot since then. I just wondered if you lovely experienced owner could recommend which foods need to be avoided so I know to stay away from this. I'm talking foods like chocolate which could be really dangerous for a hamster.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

If you get a dwarf hamster, unless it is a roborovski or a guaranteed pure bred Winter White (very unlikely to find in a pet shop as they are usually hybrids), then dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes, so you need to avoid sugary foods and treats which include honey, yogurt drops should only be given occasionally too.

I would stick to the popular brands of foods and give treats which are suitable for hamsters, again depending on which type of hamster you get, as many hamster treats are not suitable for diabetes prone hamsters.

Many hamsters enjoy dog bonio biscuits and other savoury dog treats.

With fresh food, broccoli, cauliflower and cucumber are generally universal favourites, avoid acidic fresh foods eg tomato, orange etc and introduce any fresh food slowly and by small amounts so that your hamster gets used to it.

I am sure other people will add other ideas for you.

[Nindie]

Thanks everyone for your feedback so far. I am definitely going to provide hamster muesli as the main food as recommended. I'll likely be getting a syrian and I'll be sure to keep an eye on how much sugar is in the extra treats (even the fruit and veg etc).

Its great that there's so much guidance around now, I don't even think cotton wool bedding was frowned upon when I last had a hamster.

[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!

[Silver]

Safe and Unsafe Food and Plants - Hamster Central WIKI

[Snowz]

You can find many results on Google for safe and unsafe foods for hamsters Here is a example:

ErinsHamsters

[Nindie]

Thanks everyone for your contributions so far. I'm definitely going to give hamster muesli as the main food type. I'll be sure to keep an eye on the sugar content of the extra treats (including fruit and veg etc).

Its great how much more guidance is available since I last had a hamster.

Thank you for the link to the wiki, that will be really helpful! (I haven't had a chance to have a nosey round the site properly yet so missed it).

[Silver]

Your'e welcome

xxx