Hamster cages should 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 indoor plants 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 helpful reference for keeping your diet safe and knowing which houseplants to keep out of reach in your home and garden.

Common Foods Thought to Harm Hamsters

The now sadly defunct UK Hamster Society produced an incredible online list of plants they claimed were poisonous to hamsters. The list includes some surprising everyday fruits and vegetables, as well as advice from the well-known US animal care charity, ASPCA. Did you know that alfalfa, almond pits, apple seeds, avocado, cherry pits, scallions, 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 list of warnings. The ASPCA also added to the knowledge with some that are known to cause problems in other animals, but have not been specifically investigated in hamsters. This list of evils includes flowers and plants that you can also find in a bouquet or flower arrangement. Includes amaryllises, cacti, some roses, chrysanthemums, clematis, cornflowers, cyclamen, daffodils, some lilies, some ivy, ferns, holly, lilies, mistletoe, poincianas, poppies, peonies, rubber plants, and tulips. And that’s certainly not everybody from harmful plants by any means. The safest thing to do is probably to ban 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, autumn 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 little furry friend. Tomatoes, for example, seem like the perfect fresh vegetable until you realize how dangerous they can be. It is also crucial to investigate which more local specialties and plants may be toxic. This article provides tips for some of the most common foods that experts consider harmful and provides valuable references for more research.

IMPORTANT: THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS A SAMPLE OF EXPERT OPINIONS AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE EXHAUSTIVE OR DEFINITE – NEVER USE IT IN PLACE OF A VETERINARY’S ADVICE. IF YOU SUSPECT FOR ANY REASON THAT YOUR HAMSTER HAS CONSUMED SOMETHING HARMFUL, THIS NEEDS IMMEDIATE VETERINARY ATTENTION.

References: useful starting points for further research

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

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

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