Killer Foods and Plants for Hamsters

Hamster cages need to be a safe and healthy haven for their occupants and this means a daily supply of fresh seeds, grains, fruits and vegetables. But did you know that some seeds, fruits and vegetables are poisonous to them? There are also many houseplants that could seriously poison them. This article reviews some expert advice on which of the most common houseplants and foods can harm your hamster. This can be a useful reference for keeping your diet safe and knowing which houseplants to keep out of reach in the home and garden.

Common Foods Thought to Harm Hamsters

The sadly now defunct UK Hamster Society produced an incredible online list of plants they claimed were poisonous to hamsters. The list includes some amazing everyday fruits and vegetables, as well as tips from the well-known US animal care charity, ASPCA. Did you know that alfalfa, almond pits, apple seeds, avocado, cherry pits, spring onions, eggplant, elderberries, garlic, grapes, horse chestnuts, mushrooms, onions, peach pits, potatoes, raisins, rhubarb and tomatoes are bad for them? (1, 2). NEVER try to improvise with human food or house or garden plants. The safest way is to ask your vet to provide you with a safe food diet sheet. Establishing a good diet is vital, as is knowing which common houseplants can poison pets.

Common poisonous houseplants and items in bouquets/arrangements

Once again, the Hamster Society included houseplants and garden plants on its warning list. The ASPCA also added to its knowledge with some that are known to cause problems in other animals, but have not been investigated specifically in hamsters. This list of ills includes flowers and plants that you might also find in a bouquet or floral arrangement. Includes amaryllis, cacti, some roses, chrysanthemum, clematis, cornflowers, cyclamen, daffodils, some lilies, some ivy, ferns, holly, irises, mistletoe, poincianas, poppies, peonies, rubber plants, and tulips. And that’s certainly not all from harmful plants by any means. The safest course is probably to prohibit all plants, flower arrangements, and pollen from anywhere your hamster lives.

Common Poisonous Garden Plants for Hamsters

If you were considering giving your hamster a close run in the garden, you should research the garden plants in your local areas to see which ones are harmful. Many surprisingly common ones are toxic, for example the common buttercup contains an acid that harms rabbits, so who knows what it might do to a precious little hamster’s body. Other culprits, in addition to those already mentioned, include azaleas, fall crocuses, cherry laurel, common privet, evergreens, foxgloves, honeysuckle, hyacinths, hydrangeas, some laurels, marigolds, varieties of nightshade plants, philodendrons, some oaks, rhododendrons, sweet peas. wisteria plants and yews (1). Also, of course, be aware of the chemicals used to treat the garden, as these can also be highly toxic.

Finding out more about which common foods are toxic to hamsters could save the life of your furry little friend. Tomatoes, for example, seem like the perfect fresh vegetable until you realize just how dangerous they can be. It is also crucial to investigate which more local specialties and plants may be toxic. This article provides some tips for some of the most common foods that experts consider unhealthy and provides valuable references for more research.

IMPORTANT: THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS A SAMPLE OF EXPERT OPINIONS, THEREFORE IT CANNOT BE EXHAUSTIVE OR DEFINITIVE – NEVER USE IT IN PLACE OF A VETERINARIAN ADVICE. IF YOU SUSPECT FOR ANY REASON THAT YOUR HAMSTER HAS EATEN SOMETHING HARMFUL, THIS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE VETERINARY ATTENTION.

References: useful starting points for further research

1.ASPCA. Foods for people to avoid feeding their pets [online].

2. The Hamster Society. Cultivation – List of poisonous plants [online].