Cheerios are one of the most popular cereal brands, and many people love eating them. It makes you wonder if it’s safe to share them with your pet hamsters.
Hamsters can occasionally eat Cheerios in small amounts. Only the original Cheerios are acceptable because they are low in sugar and artificial additives that other types of Cheerios may contain.
In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss the nutritional benefits and downsides of feeding your hamster Cheerios. I’ll also explain how often you can give them to your hamster, why plain Cheerios are the best, and whether you can serve Cheerios with milk. Finally, I’ll give you a quick rundown of foods you should definitely not feed your hamster.
Cheerios’ Nutritional Benefits for Hamsters
Cheerios are often advertised as tasty and healthy for humans. But does that mean it’s also tasty and healthy for hamsters?
First, let’s look at the ingredients listed on Cheerios’ official website. According to the website, the original Cheerios has the following ingredients:
| Cereal | Minerals | Vitamins | Other ingredients |
| Whole grain oats | Calcium carbonate, Iron, Zinc | Vitamin C, A B Vitamin, Vitamin B6, B1, B12, Vitamin A, Vitamin D6 | Sugar, Salt |
Cheerios contains beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In other words, they can be healthy for your hamster.
The main ingredient in original Cheerios is whole-grain oats. These oats are often said to be healthier than other oats because they’re the least processed. As a result, these oats contain more fiber than processed oats, and fiber is essential to a well-functioning digestive system.
Hamsters mostly get their fiber through fruits and vegetables. However, an occasional Cheerios snack may do.
How Many Pieces of Cheerios Should Hamsters Eat?
I should mention that, considering hamsters are much smaller than humans, they can’t eat the same portions of Cheerios we can. For this reason, it’s best to adjust the portion size accordingly. Smaller hamsters should consume only one piece of Cheerios.
Regardless of their size, however, hamsters shouldn’t eat Cheerios constantly. Once or twice a week is just enough. You shouldn’t serve Cheerios as an everyday meal. It should only be an occasional snack or reward for good behavior.
Why Cheerios May Be Bad for Hamsters
While Cheerios may be a healthy snack for hamsters in moderation, they still contain some ingredients that can harm your pet.
All types of Cheerios (including the plain, standard ones) contain salt and sugar, which are bad for hamsters in large amounts.
Cheerios Contains Salt
When eaten in excess, salt can cause kidney problems in hamsters. Additionally, it can cause high blood pressure and dehydration. Although other foods specifically created for hamsters may contain salt, they’re usually in negligible amounts.
Cheerios Contains Sugar
Unlike salt, sugar has no nutritional value to hamsters and should, therefore, never be given to your pet. The original Cheerios contains the least sugar, which is why this is the only type of Cheerios you can let your hamster eat — and even then, you should feed them only on occasion.
Like in humans, excess sugar intake can cause a load of health issues in hamsters. As you know, hamsters often struggle to maintain proper body weight and are at greater risk of developing obesity. Obesity can lead to other problems, like heart disease or increased blood sugar.
Cheerios Can Be Hard To Eat for Hamsters
Cheerios may be a bad choice because it can damage your hamster’s teeth. Also, the varieties other than the original one may have additives your pet won’t be able to digest.
Smaller hamsters can choke on these cereals, so it’s best to be near your pet while they’re eating Cheerios.
Can Hamsters Eat Honey Nut Cheerios?
Being a brand that’s been on the market since 1941, Cheerios has developed many different flavors over the decades. Honey Nut Cheerios is one of the more popular versions, but is it suitable for your hamster?
Hamsters cannot eat Honey Nut Cheerios because it contains lots of sugar, which can cause obesity. Honey Nut Cheerios also has artificial flavor enhancers your hamster cannot digest, so it is best to stick to the original Cheerios.
In fact, this Healthline article suggests that Honey Nut Cheerios have 12 times more sugar than the original Cheerios. And since honey isn’t a normal part of a hamster’s diet, it’s another reason this flavor isn’t suitable for hamsters.
You should also avoid chocolate-flavored Cheerios because chocolate is toxic to hamsters and can even kill them. If it doesn’t kill them, it will certainly contribute to obesity issues.
Should Hamsters Eat Cheerios With Milk?
You probably prepare your Cheerios with milk, but this doesn’t mean your hamster should consume them similarly. Just because baby hamsters drink their mother’s milk doesn’t mean they can drink the milk of other animals.
Specifically, the milk from cows, goats, sheep, and the like may contain ingredients hamsters can’t digest. It’s best to serve Cheerios with fresh water in case your hamster gets thirsty from eating these sugary treats.
What Food Is Poisonous to Hamsters?
Now that you know you can feed Cheerios to your hamster with a lot of caveats, what other foods can potentially harm your hamster?
Foods that are poisonous to hamsters include almonds, citrus fruits, raw beans, garlic, onions, red meat, and plants that were treated with pesticides.
At the very least, these foods will upset your hamsters’ stomach and give them diarrhea and dehydration. At worst, these may kill them.
If you’re not sure what foods to give your hamster, it’s best to ask a veterinarian who specializes in treating hamsters for advice. Your veterinarian can even give you treats formulated specifically for hamsters.
Conclusion
Hamsters can eat Cheerios, but only in small amounts and only once or twice a week. The only acceptable type of Cheerios for hamsters is the original Cheerios which contains less sugar and salt than other flavors.
Honey Nut or Chocolate Cheerios are bad choices because of their high sugar content. Don’t let your hamster drink milk with Cheerios; instead, give your pet water to drink.