What Fruits & Vegetables Do Hamsters Eat?

When it comes to feeding a pet hamster, variety is the spice of life. Although the majority of your pet̵7;s diet should consist of dried hamster/gerbil mix (available at most pet stores), he̵7;ll enjoy the occasional fresh fruit or veggie as a treat.

  1. Suggested Fruits and Vegetables

    • Your hamster will enjoy many of the fruits and vegetables found in your refrigerator or garden, including blueberries, corn, broccoli, grapes, raisins, apples, spinach and carrots.

    Foods to Avoid

    • You should never provide your hamster with raw kidney beans, onions, potatoes, tomato leaves or any part of the rhubarb plant. It's also best to avoid lettuce.

    Considerations

    • Before giving any fresh food to your hamster, make sure it is thoroughly washed and cut into tiny pieces to avoid choking. Because hamsters have delicate digestive systems, you'll want to limit fresh treats to one or two per week. If your hamster develops diarrhea, remove any fruits or vegetables from the cage and don't provide more until you've taken your pet to the vet for a check-up.

    Warning

    • Hamsters can become ill from eating spoiled food. Remove any uneaten fruits or vegetables within one day of feeding.

    Fun Facts

    • Your hamster has two large pouches in his cheeks that allow him to store food for snacking later. He might snatch whatever you're offering, hide it in his pouch, and add it to the stockpile in his cage.