Have you wanted to treat your hamster to a new food but felt unsure about what you can or can’t serve them? Hamsters are a small animal that usually eat fairly specific diets, so it’s not uncommon to feel pretty lost when it comes to giving them some of your own food.
But, there are actually plenty of foods you can share with your pet hamster. Here are some of the human foods that hamsters can eat, along with any restrictions or special preparations you may need to do or take note of.
This post was written based on research and/or our own experiences. Full disclosure, always ask your vet before giving any pet food they haven’t had before. Just like human beings, our pets can have allergic reactions to food that they’re not used to consuming!
Human Foods Hamsters Can Eat
General Notes
In all of these options, it’s recommended to portion a food to no larger than the size of two raisins worth. Also remember to do this in moderation and not too often.
Hard Boiled Eggs
You can give your pet hamster hard boiled egg pieces as snacks. It provides them with some added protein.
Apples
Apples are a great treat option, make sure they do not have the skins or seeds in the portions given to your pet.
Berries
There are plenty of berries you can give a little of to your hamster. These include blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
Broccoli
Broccoli is safe for your hamster as it is, as long as you portion the amount properly as noted in the beginning.
Peas
Your hamster may like peas for a veggie snack! It’s probably better to give them fresher peas than canned or previously frozen due to any additives or sodium.
Peach
Peach can be a good fruit to try for your pet. Of course, don’t give them the stone in the peach (even though it may seem like a good thing for them to gnaw on).
Plain Yogurt
Yogurt is something many hamsters tend to enjoy in treats. Use plain low-fat yogurt for this. You could even freeze drops of it to give them a more solid treat.
Ground Beef
Believe it or not, hamsters can have ground beef! Make sure it is cooked well and rinsed with water so that there isn’t excess grease.
Rice
If you cook plain brown rice (no seasonings, and not white rice), you can give your pet hamster some of this for a treat.
Raspberry Leaves
If they’re experiencing diarrhea, a little bit of raspberry leaves can help ease these symptoms.
Carrots
Carrots are acceptable but need to be given in extreme moderation. This is because their sugar content can lead to diabetes or weight gain.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are another great veggie option. You don’t have to avoid the seeds or skin, but it is more helpful for their digestion if you limit seeds and skin in their portions.
Mealworms
Believe it or not, mealworms are actually a great treat option for hamsters. You can get these online or in most pet stores as they’re normally fed to hedgehogs or reptiles.
Pumpkin Seeds
Another option for your pet could be pumpkin seeds. Make sure they are unsalted if you are to try this.
Did you know that there were this many options for hamsters? It’s pretty crazy how diverse these little guys’ food can be. Of course, please know that human foods will not make the best full-time diet for hamsters. These would work great as ideas for occasional treats or to try something new.
Again, please be sure not to give them too much of any of these at a time or too often. If you’re unsure about how much you can give your hamster or how often, please speak with a veterinarian.
This post was written based on research and/or our own experiences. Full disclosure, always ask your vet before giving any pet food they haven’t had before. Just like human beings, our pets can have allergic reactions to food that they’re not used to consuming!
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I never thought that hamsters eat boiled eggs. I thought they can only eat plant-based food. Will try this tomorrow. Thank you for sharing.
Based on the research, it was shown they could. As always, I’d consult a vet before doing so. Just like people, I assume some hamsters could have reactions to certain foods.
Oh wow I had no idea! I did know about apples only from taking a class pet home in elem school!
I did not know you could feed these to hamsters. Thank you for letting me know. My niece has a cute little hamster whom she named Pepper. I will let her know about these options and remind her not to over-feed Pepper.
Oh yes, I was shocked to learn what we can feed our Bear the hamster. Always be careful though, little pieces. I’m sure that some hamsters, just like humans, could be allergic to some human foods. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.