Human Foods Hamsters Can Eat

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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