Avocados are a popular fruit served in many ways. It can be enjoyed on toast, added to smoothies, or made into guacamole. They offer great health benefits for humans, but what about your pet hamster?
Dwarf hamsters can eat avocado, but it is not recommended for regular consumption. While they’re not toxic, avocados are very high in fat. Fresh fruits and veggies can be an excellent occasional treat for your hamster as long as your pet eats them in moderation.
In this article, I will explain how avocados affect hamsters, what foods to avoid giving your hamster, and recommend some of the safest and healthiest treats for hamsters.
Can Russian Dwarf Hamsters Eat Avocado?
Russian dwarf hamsters can eat avocados in very small amounts, as the fruit isn’t toxic to them. However, avocados contain monosaturated fats that are not healthy for hamsters. It’s best to avoid feeding avocados to your hamster.
Providing your hamster with a variety of treats along with their usual diet is a good source of enrichment. It also keeps them interested in trying new foods and activities.
However, fatty foods such as avocados are not the best addition to your hamster’s diet. In moderation, fatty fruits are very healthy for humans, but these same fats are not so great for hamsters.
The Risks of Feeding Your Hamster Avocado
While a small amount of fresh avocado will not make your hamster sick, there are adverse effects that can happen if they eat too much of it. A few of these are:
- Impacted cheeks: You may often see your hamster take a treat and immediately stuff it into its cheeks rather than eating it. This is a very normal and natural behavior, but some foods can become stuck and create an impaction. Soft, water-heavy foods like avocado and some other fruits and veggies can quickly grow soggy and be difficult for your hamster to take out of their cheeks.
- Tooth decay: Hamsters are rodents, so their teeth are continuously growing and need to be ground down. They are also very susceptible to dental issues. Soft, sticky foods like avocado easily get stuck between a hamster’s teeth, leading to decay and painful abscesses. Hard, crunchy foods, along with chew toys, help keep their teeth short and healthy.
- Obesity: Hamsters are prone to becoming overweight if they are allowed to eat constantly. An average dwarf hamster weighs only about 1.5 ounces (42.52 grams), and the fats present in avocados can pack on weight very easily. Obesity can lead to other health issues and a shortened lifespan.
- Diabetes: Dwarf hamsters are more prone to developing diabetes than other breeds. Diabetes can be prevented by avoiding a diet that is high in sugar and fat. Regulated amounts of food and regular exercise are also good preventative measures.
- Injury: The skin and pit of an avocado should also be avoided. The skin is very tough, and the edges can cut the inside of their mouths. The pit (the large round seed in the center) may seem like a good chew toy, but there is the chance it will splinter and, if swallowed, cause damage to their internal organs.
What Foods To Avoid Giving Your Hamster
There are several foods that are not good for hamsters. Some are very dense in sugars and fats that can make your hamster fat or, in very large amounts, diabetic. Other foods are toxic and can make your hamster very sick and should be avoided entirely.
- Dairy products: Foods like yogurt and cheese, while not harmful to hamsters, are very high in fat and should be given in very tiny amounts and sparingly.
- Dried fruit: While fresh fruit can be good for hamsters, dried fruit has a high concentration of sugar and is not healthy.
- Uncooked beans: Common varieties such as broad and kidney beans have high amounts of lectin, which is toxic and has to be cooked away. Humans should not eat raw beans for this same reason.
- Raw potato: You have probably seen potatoes that have green spots just under the skin. While this is fairly common and the result of prolonged exposure to light, green spots also indicate high amounts of a toxin called solanine.
- Eggplant: Also known as “aubergines,” these vegetables naturally have high amounts of solanine.
- Citrus fruit: Oranges, lemons, and limes are highly acidic. This can give your hamster an upset stomach and lead to digestive issues like frequent bowel movements and diarrhea.
The Best Treats for Hamsters
Your hamster’s daily diet should comprise pellets and blocks specifically made for rodents. On average, your hamster’s food should not be any more than 5% fat, with the rest being carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. In addition to their pellets, you should also add some variety with the occasional treat.
- Apples: They are high in sugar and should be given in moderation. You should avoid giving them apple skins and seeds entirely.
- Broccoli: Hamsters can eat the leaves and stems of this vegetable. They can also have it either cooked or raw.
- Carrots: These are good for your hamster to chew on. However, they have a lot of sugar and should be given sparingly.
- Celery: These are great low-calorie snacks for your hamster. However, they have a lot of water and can lead to diarrhea when consumed in high amounts.
- Cucumbers: Like celery, these are low in calories but are mostly water, and too much can cause diarrhea.
- Grapes/raisins: Raisins are dried-out grapes, but both are sweet and enjoyed by hamsters. Both forms are high in sugar and should be given in moderation.
Final Thoughts
Avocados are not toxic for hamsters, but they are not the best food for them to eat. The flesh, skin, and pit all have potential risks if your hamster eats them. The high amount of fat can lead to obesity and diabetes. The skin and pit can hurt them if ingested.
There are several foods that you should avoid giving your hamster. Some, such as uncooked beans and eggplant, are toxic and can make hamsters sick. Healthy treats for your hamster include fruits and vegetables such as apples, cucumbers, and raisins.