New Hamster

[Abi5sos1d]

Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters

Cucumber and carrot are safe and the tomato and lettuce are not. Also the other serendipity7000 mentioned are also a favourite of my hamsters.

I agree with cutting them into chunks as it easier for them to pouch.

My little sister once gave Spook a bit of a tomato, but she seems ok what is the worst that could happen? I am worried now

[AmityvilleHams]

Tomato is highly acidic so it can cause oral problems primarily relating to irritation.In humans at least it causes mouth sores sometimes,not sure if it does the same to small animals but it probably does.It's also incredibly irritating to the stomach.

[Abi5sos1d]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Tomato is highly acidic so it can cause oral problems primarily relating to irritation.In humans at least it causes mouth sores sometimes,not sure if it does the same to small animals but it probably does.It's also incredibly irritating to the stomach.

Alright, when she next comes to visit I will tell her not to feed her tomato again. Would it do any harm considering it was just the one off??

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Abi5sos1d

Alright, when she next comes to visit I will tell her not to feed her tomato again. Would it do any harm considering it was just the one off??

Just the one time shouldn't hurt,as long as you're careful in the future

[Abi5sos1d]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Just the one time shouldn't hurt,as long as you're careful in the future

Alright thank you for that, do you have a list of safe fruit and veg that you can feed to a Syrian hamster?

[cypher]

A tiny bit of tomato won't hurt but is best not given, the seeds & skin especially.
Rocket is safe but can be a bit too strong for them.

This is my list, I think I still forgot a few things & didn't include fruit but most of the safe veg are on it.

Safe veg, those marked * are relatively high in sugar so only feed to diabetes prone species as an occasional treat if at all.
Asparagus (mine have never liked this)
Basil
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Common or red clover
Cabbage, green or red
Carrot*
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Coriander
Courgette
Cress (not mustard & cress as commonly sold together)
Cucumber
Dandelion leaves & flowers
Endive/chicory
Green beans/runner beans
Kale
Pak choi/Bok choi
Parsley
Peas/mange tout/sugar snap/snow*
Peppers, any colour
Potato/sweet potato cooked only*
Radicchio
Spinach
Squash/pumpkin*
Swede
Sweet corn/baby corn*
Turnip

[Abi5sos1d]

Originally Posted by cypher

A tiny bit of tomato won't hurt but is best not given, the seeds & skin especially.
Rocket is safe but can be a bit too strong for them.

This is my list, I think I still forgot a few things & didn't include fruit but most of the safe veg are on it.

Safe veg, those marked * are relatively high in sugar so only feed to diabetes prone species as an occasional treat if at all.
Asparagus (mine have never liked this)
Basil
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Common or red clover
Cabbage, green or red
Carrot*
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Coriander
Courgette
Cress (not mustard & cress as commonly sold together)
Cucumber
Dandelion leaves & flowers
Endive/chicory
Green beans/runner beans
Kale
Pak choi/Bok choi
Parsley
Peas/mange tout/sugar snap/snow*
Peppers, any colour
Potato/sweet potato cooked only*
Radicchio
Spinach
Squash/pumpkin*
Swede
Sweet corn/baby corn*
Turnip

Thank you so much question about dandelions, how should I portion it and can they have the stem or just the flower and the leaves??

[Pebbles82]

I gave up with dandelion leaves lol! I don't like picking them as I'm not sure if they've been sprayed or got traffic fumes - but if it's a very rural place it should be ok - plus they seem to die on me instantly. I shouldn't give it too often either. I do buy the dandelion roots from zooplus though (dried ones) which our hamster goes crazy for so I only give him a small one once a week.

[Abi5sos1d]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I gave up with dandelion leaves lol! I don't like picking them as I'm not sure if they've been sprayed or got traffic fumes - but if it's a very rural place it should be ok - plus they seem to die on me instantly. I shouldn't give it too often either. I do buy the dandelion roots from zooplus though (dried ones) which our hamster goes crazy for so I only give him a small one once a week.

Our garden has never been treated and we have been here for 5 years so it should be ok and I have rinsed them, are the stems ok to give too? Or just flowers and leaves? And how should I portion it?

[pinkneon]

I've never tried dandelion to be honest. We never actually seem to have any in the garden! But I was in a shop today as we had lunch in their café, and I found some dandelion and carrot (I think it was carrot!) treat sticks. I didn't getnthem though as they say they are for ALL small animals so I'm not sure whether to try them as they all have different needs lol