Food safety
Can Hamsters Eat Almonds? A Sliver of Plain Almond, Rarely
Only a sliver, and only rarely. VCA Animal Hospitals lists nuts among the treats pet rodents can have once or twice a week, but the ASPCA names almonds, pecans and walnuts as nuts high in oils and fats that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis in pets. For a hamster, that makes a whole almond too rich. A small sliver of plain, raw or dry-roasted, unsalted almond now and then is the most to give.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20263 min read4 sources
Why almonds need a small portion
The ASPCA's guidance on nuts names almonds specifically, along with pecans and walnuts, explaining that nuts contain high amounts of oils and fats that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis in pets. Almonds are also larger and harder than many seeds a hamster eats.
VCA still includes nuts on its list of treats for pet rodents, alongside seeds, pasta, unsalted popcorn and whole grain crackers, given one to two times a week. The answer is portion size: a thin sliver rather than a whole nut.
Scatter-feeding small pieces around a large hamster cage lets a hamster forage the way it would in the wild; see our hamster cages for setups with enough floor space.
Hamsters pick favorites
VCA warns that rodents often choose tasty seeds and nuts over their formulated pellets, which leads to an unbalanced diet. The Merck Veterinary Manual says the same of hamsters: seeds should be limited because hamsters might eat them instead of their balanced pellets.
An almond is exactly the kind of rich, tasty item a hamster will pick out first. Giving it rarely, by hand, keeps it a reward rather than a reason to ignore the food bowl.
Salted, flavored and candied almonds
Snack almonds are often salted, smoked or seasoned. The ASPCA warns that excessive salt in pets can cause increased thirst and urination and, in severe cases, tremors, seizures and death. Use plain, unsalted almonds only.
Chocolate-covered, candied, honey-roasted and sugar-free almonds add sugar, chocolate or xylitol. The ASPCA lists chocolate and xylitol among foods pets must not eat. Almond butter, almond milk and marzipan are also poor choices because of added sugar, salt or oils.
How to offer almond
Take a plain, unsalted almond and slice off a thin sliver, or use a single sliced almond from a baking bag if it is plain. Offer it by hand. For a dwarf hamster, a smaller piece still is plenty.
Check the cage later. Merck notes that hamsters often store food in their cheek pouches or hide it in the cage, so remove any leftover nut pieces during cleaning, and throw away almonds that smell stale or musty.
How often
A sliver of almond once a week at most fits within VCA's guidance that treats total less than 5 to 10 percent of the daily diet. On other treat days, rotate in options such as plain cooked pasta or unsalted popcorn.
The core diet should be a high quality pelleted rodent chow, about 90 percent of the diet according to VCA, plus small amounts of fresh vegetables daily. Merck says a rat or mouse pellet with 15 to 20 percent protein meets a hamster's needs.
Signs to watch and when to see a vet
Merck describes wet tail as wet fur around the tail, low energy, poor appetite and weight loss. A hamster with these signs needs a veterinarian who treats small mammals promptly, and Merck warns some antibiotics can be deadly to hamsters, so never medicate without a vet.
If your hamster ate chocolate-covered or sugar-free almonds, call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away; a fee may apply. Swollen cheeks that do not empty also need a vet visit.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Are almonds safe for hamsters?
A small sliver of plain, unsalted almond occasionally is generally fine. The ASPCA notes almonds are high in fat and can cause digestive upset, so a whole almond is too much for a hamster.
Can hamsters eat salted almonds?
No. The ASPCA warns that excess salt can cause thirst and, in severe cases, tremors and seizures in pets. Use plain, unsalted almonds only, in tiny amounts.
Can dwarf hamsters eat almonds?
A very small piece of plain almond now and then is the limit for a dwarf hamster. Nuts are rich, so rely on pellets for the main diet, as VCA and Merck advise.
Can hamsters eat almond butter?
It is best avoided. Nut butters are sticky, concentrated in fat and often contain added salt or sugar. A tiny sliver of a plain almond is a better occasional treat.
How often can hamsters have almonds?
About once a week at most, as a sliver. VCA says treats should total less than 5 to 10 percent of the daily diet, so rotate almonds with other treats.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
