If you’ve got a hamster and you’re wondering if you can feed him a peanut, that’s okay. It’s a common question, and one I had too when I first got my Teddy.
Turns out hamsters can eat lots of things us humans can eat. However, they can’t eat as much or as many variations as we can.
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So can hamsters eat peanuts ?
Yes, hamsters can eat peanuts. It’s safe for them. But they need to be unsalted peanuts. They can be baked or not, and they can be given with the shell as well.
As long as there are no seasonings or extra oils on the peanut, it’s okay. Peanuts do have a high fat content though, so be aware that too many peanuts will make your hamster overweight.
That can lead to severe health issues, and is best avoided.
But, a peanut every now and hen, like a couple of times a week is alright. Not more often though.
Hamsters eat lots of nuts and seeds in the wild
Peanuts are okay for the main reason that hamsters eat a lot of seed and nut types in the wild. When foraging for food, hammies end up with lots of grains, seeds, and some roots to munch on.
Many times their diet consists entirely of dried grains and seeds, which keep well over cold periods.
So, a peanut is safe. And you’ll often find it in his food mix as well.
Is peanut butter safe for hamsters ?
Yes, plain, unsweetened peanut butter is safe for hamsters to eat. Peanut butter is just crushed and pureed peanuts, and that’s alright for hammies.
The difference is that peanut butter sometimes has a little bit of added oil in order to make it creamier. So that means that your hamster should have less peanut butter than regular peanut.
For example a dollop of peanut butter the size of a pea is more than enough for your hammy, whether he’s a Dwarf or Syrian.
The thing about peanut butter is that it’s sticky, and requires lots of cleanup. This is one of the reasons you need to be careful how much you give your hamster.
Your hammy has a high chance of making a mess out of the tiny dollop, so make sure you give him a very small amount.
Always make sure you give your hamster unsweetened, unsalted, unflavored peanut butter. Only simple, plain peanut butter will do, since that’s the closes to an actual peanut.
Safe nuts and seeds for your hamster
Hammies can eat some types of nuts, and I’m going to help you identify them right here. SO here’s a safe list of nuts for your hamster:
- peanuts
- pecans
- pistachios
- walnuts
- pine nuts
- cashews
- hazelnuts
- sunflower seeds
- pumpkin seeds
Now these all need to be unsalted, unsweetened, unseasoned in any way. Get them as plain as possible. It’s fine if they’re raw, and it’s fine if they’re toasted.
Just remember that seeds and nuts should not be given daily or very often. More than twice a week is too much. And the serving should be just one nut. For seeds they can be 3-4 at a time.
But do not overfeed your hamster on seeds or nuts, since they are very high in fat. Your hamster doesn’t need a high fat diet in order to function.
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Unsafe nuts and seeds to keep away from your hamster
Some nuts and seeds aren’t alright for hammies, since they can be poisonous. Even for humans they can be a bit hazardous, and should not be eaten often or in large amounts. These are:
- almonds
- any kind of fruit seed (apple, grape, peach, plum, etc)
This does not mean the fruits are not edible. Hamsters actually love to munch on small apple bits, or a bit of grape flesh.
It’s just the seeds that are not alright for them, and should be removed before giving fruits to your hamster. Actually, you can find out more about what kind of fruits are alright for your hamster right here.
Commercial food mixes have plenty of safe nuts and seeds
When feeding your hamster, you have the option of giving him a store-bought food mix. The thing about these mixes is that they’re thought out to give your hammy a balanced diet.
This means your hamster’s getting the optimal amount of grains, nuts, seeds, vitamins supplements, fiber and protein for a healthy diet.
This food mix will help your hammy find all the nutrients he needs, right there in his food bowl. He won’t have to forage for his food anymore.
Unless you sprinkle it through his cage, which can keep him busy and keep his instincts sharp.
Still, the whole bag will last you a couple of months or more, depending on what kind of hamster you have.
You can check the listing on Amazon right here, and read the reviews as well.
A word from Teddy
I hope you found out what you were looking for here. I know us hammies love to munch on everything, but sometimes you need to be careful what you give us. Peanuts are alright, as long as they’re plain, and are in small amounts and not often.
If you want to know more about us hammies, you should check out the articles below for more info on how to care for us.