Nuts are often thought of frequently when it comes to food and treats that hamsters get. But is it safe for you to give your hamster almonds? Almonds are high in fat and have a lot of calories but they also have some beneficial vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In short, the answer is yes hamsters can eat regular almonds (get organic almonds intended for human consumption without anything added) in moderation like most snacks for your furry friend.
What Kind of Almonds Can Hamsters Eat?
Hamsters can have sweet almonds that are intended for human consumption. Never give a hamster a bitter almond. Bitter almonds contain traces of prussic acid, which is poisonous. If you are in the US this shouldn’t be a problem since unrefined nuts are prohibited. But they can be found in parts of Europe and other countries throughout the world.
No Salt, No Sugar, Nothing Added
Make sure you get almonds that don’t have anything added to them. No salt, no sugar, no spices.
Your hamster can only have regular plain almonds without anything extra on them. Too much salt can cause GI issues and dehydration for your hamster.
Organic
Getting organic almonds for your hamster is a good idea. With such little bodies, even small amounts of pesticides and chemicals can be very harmful to hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Sliced Almonds?
Yes, hamsters can eat sliced almonds. This is one of the best ways to give your hamster almonds since they can only have about 1 whole almond a week. By giving sliced almonds you can be sure that you are not overdoing it on the almond snacks.
How Many Almonds Should You Give Your Hamster?
You should only be giving 1 almond a week to your hamster. Using almond slivers is a great idea to make sure you don’t overdue it on the portion sizes of this snack.
Are Almonds Good for Hamsters?
While you cannot give too much of this treat to your hamster it still can have some added nutrition for your hamster’s diet.
Almonds have the following vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial for hamsters: (source USDA.gov)
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Choline
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Zinc
Are There Risks Feeding Almonds to Hamsters?
Yes, there can be risks when giving a hamster almonds. The main risk is giving them too much. Weight can be an issue for hamsters and given too many high-calorie snacks can lead to weight issues and diabetes. GI issues can also arise if they are given too much of any snack.
Another risk is choking. Smaller hamster breeds can be prone to choking on larger food such as almonds. Cutting up the almond for your hamster is a good idea. Also, slivers of almonds are a great option.
It is also a good idea to remove the skin from the almond before giving it to your hamster. The skin of the almond is where a majority of toxins and chemicals can be found. By removing the skin you can reduce possible exposure of these harmful things to your hamster.