Grapes!

[Pebbles82]

I came across this on the RSPCA site - to never give grapes as they can be poisonous to hamsters! I didn't know that. Charlie has occasionally been given half a grape. Won't do it again.

A healthy diet for hamsters - Diet - Hamsters - Rodents

[Shannonmcn]

That's weird. I've never seen grapes listed as unsafe anywhere else. I know they're apparently poisonous to dogs but never heard that for hamsters and I've certainly seen rats eating grapes before.

Southern hamster club website has grapes listed as literally the first thing on their safe food list.

[racinghamster]

Funny you should post this Serendipity as I`m sure I read something similar. I don`t feed grapes but I did give a small piece of grape now and then to my Syrian when I had him with no (I`m pleased to say) negative results. I know grapes are poisonous to dogs. x

[cypher]

That is a bit weird but I do seem to remember seeing something somewhere suggesting that grapes shouldn't be given as they're poisonous to dogs so could be for hams which doesn't really make sense, as long as they don't have seeds in them they should be fine I think, lots of people feed grapes & lots of good ham sites have them on safe food lists.

[racinghamster]

Rhubarb I can understand but grapes contain resveratol(?) spelling may be wrong.... which is good for the heart but usually as advice given to people who drink red wine!

I`m wondering where their scientific evidence is for this? But then again, Pets At Home have been caught feeding their hamsters pieces of orange and kiwi fruit....Why? Hamsters don`t lack vitamin C (ascorbic acid) so that one baffles me. x

[candice clews]

Kiwi fruit is fine

[flowerfairy]

Pets @ home are not exactly knowledgable when it comes to animals though are they?! I am sure there are a few well informed staff but on the whole there is a lot of confusion.

[SugarFairy123]

Grapes ? Really ? Minnie gets a small piece of grape now and then as a treat . I don't think she'll be getting anymore ! Does anybody know why they're poisonous??

[candice clews]

We asked at pets at home when i had my cookie about what foods they can eat they mentioned,
apple
cucumber
kiwi
Carrot

Ive not long come back from pets at home and dont really see anything about pets at home being bad or not knowledgeable!

[racinghamster]

I would take what they say with a pinch of salt unless they could produce a scientific paper to convince me otherwise. I mean, hamsters come from a desert background. Grasslands, sand, seeds, roots, insects and crops. Not sure there are any grape vines or citrus fruits grown in arid areas! There could be some reasonable explanation as to my pet shops say these are fine to feed as a supplement or a treat, but where is their reasoning behind it? x