Nuts are often thought of frequently when it comes to treats to give a hamster. But is it safe for you to give your hamster cashews as a treat? Cashews are high in fat and have a high-calorie content, but they also have beneficial vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In short, the answer is yes hamsters can eat cashews in moderation like most snacks for your furry friend. Read on below to see what considerations you need to take when giving your hamster cashews for a treat.
What Kind of Cashews Can Hamsters Eat?
Hamsters can have plain unsalted organic cashews that don’t have any additives or extra ingredients.
Plain Cashews, No Salt or Anything Extra
Make sure you get cashews that don’t have anything extra added to them. No salt, no sugar, no spices, no flavors. Just plain cashews.
Anything extra on the cashews, such as salt, can cause serious issues for your hamster.
Organic
Organic cashews are best to get for your hamster. Non-organic foods can be covered with pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals that can be dangerous even in small amounts for hamsters. To help cut down on the exposure to these things make sure you get organic foods when picking out treats for hamsters.
How Many Cashews Should You Give Your Hamster?
Larger hamster breeds, such as Syrian hamsters, can have 1 cashew a week.
Dwarf hamsters should only have a half of a cashew a week maximum.
If your hamster is not very active only give this treat once every two weeks instead of each week.
Are Cashews Good for Hamsters?
While you cannot give too many cashews at once to your hamster as a treat, they still have minerals and vitamins that can be a benefit to your hamster when given an appropriate amount.
Cashews have the following vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial for hamsters: (source USDA.gov)
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Choline
- Copper
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Zinc
Are There Risks Giving Cashews to Hamsters?
Yes, there can be risks when giving a hamster cashews. The biggest risk is giving them too many cashews. Cashews have a high-calorie count (157 calories per ounce: about 15-18 cashews depending on size). So even just once cashew can pack a punch in the calorie section for hamsters since they are so small.
Weight can be a serious issue for hamsters. Giving too many high-calorie snacks can lead to weight issues and diabetes (especially in smaller hamster breeds). If your hammy has a weight-related issue then it would be best not to give them cashews as a snack. Stick to other snacks that are lower in calories such as broccoli or basil.
GI issues can also arise if they are given too much of any snack, including cashews and other nuts. Monitor your hamster after giving them any new snacks to make sure they don’t have any adverse GI issues with the new treat. If you do notice GI upset, stop giving them the treat and consult your veterinarian to make sure nothing else is needed.