Can Hamsters Eat Cilantro?
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Hamsters eat lots of different plants in the wild, but can they eat cilantro safely?
If you grow this herb or if you’ve purchased a bunch of fresh cilantro to add to your salsa or that delicious curry recipe, you’re probably wondering if it’s OK to share a bit with your pet.
Here’s the thing: Cilantro is fairly acidic. Although you can give it to a hamster, you’ll want to be really careful about how much you offer and how often your pet eats it.
Keep reading for our complete guide to cilantro for hamsters!
Cilantro Nutrition Stats
Your hamster can’t eat much of this herb but you can nibble as much cilantro as you like.
A quarter cup of cilantro contains approximately:
- 1 calorie
- no fat
- 1 g carbohydrates
- 1 g fiber
Cilantro Nutritional Facts
Cilantro offers a nice little boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while infusing foods with fresh, intriguing flavor.
A ¼ cup serving of cilantro offers about:
- 1 mg vitamin C
- 270 iu vitamin A
- 8 mg potassium
- 4 mg iron
- 4 mcg folate
- 1 mg vitamin E
- 4 mcg vitamin K
Can Hamsters Have Cilantro?
Yes, but only a little nibble. Cilantro is more acidic than most other herbs and eating too much can be disastrous for your pet.
Is Cilantro Good For Hamsters?
Let’s put it this way: Cilantro isn’t exactly bad for your hamster but since they can only have a tiny amount, it’s probably not going to help, either.
Do Hamsters Like Cilantro?
Some hamsters like cilantro, while others don’t care for it. You can check to see if your hamster likes cilantro by offering them a tiny leaf. They might nibble it eagerly, or they might ignore it altogether.
How Much Cilantro Can A Hamster Eat?
Since too much cilantro can cause digestive trouble, you’ll want to be very careful not to offer more than recommended.
Here’s how much cilantro a to feed your hamster:
| Age | Amount |
| Baby hamster | None |
| Adult hamster | 1 inch section of cilantro with leaves |
Seriously, this is just a pinch. If your hamster already eats fresh produce, you can give them the full serving at one go. If they’re new to the family, don’t offer any cilantro until they’ve become accustomed to other mild foods such as spinach or cucumber.
How Often Can A Hamster Eat Cilantro?
If your hamster is in the “I like cilantro” group, then you can let them have a tiny bit once a week. Be sure that you don’t offer cilantro to your hamster on the same day other acidic foods or sweet foods are offered.
The risk of diarrhea and an upset tummy isn’t worth this little extra nibble.
The Correct Diet Is Important
Wild hamsters are like other rodents: They are omnivores, and they are opportunistic, meaning that they’re capable of eating a wide variety of natural foods. This means that there are all kinds of fun things you can give your hamster, not only to round out their daily nutrition, but to make life a bit more interesting for them.
Even though good-quality hamster pellets are nutritionally complete, we think hamsters are happiest when they have the opportunity to eat lots of different foods.
With your hamster’s health in mind, here’s what to feed a hamster each day:
- Hamster pellets – Check the package to find out just how much hamster food your pet should be eating based on their size and age.
- Fresh Timothy hay – Give your hamster an unlimited amount of fresh hay. Nibbling it helps keep their teeth in good shape, and they love to stay busy by using it in nesting and tunneling projects.
- About a teaspoon of birdseed once per week. Your hamster will nibble some and will probably store some away for later.
- Very small amounts of fruit and vegetables. Always check serving sizes and offer just enough for your hamster to finish. It’s important to remove any uneaten fresh food right away since your hamster will cache leftovers in their bedding and fresh items spoil quickly.
- Unlimited amount of clean, fresh water. Remember that it’s important to rinse your hamster’s drinking bottle and refill it at least once per day.
Since a hamster’s teeth are always growing, it’s up to us to make sure that those teeth don’t become overgrown – plus, chewing is an important behavior that helps prevent boredom and keeps your pet mentally healthy.
Chewy treats and hamster toys like hay cubes, coconut shells, untreated softwood, and unbleached loofah should be available to your hamster at all times.
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Cilantro In A Hamster’s Diet?
Since your hamster can’t have a lot of cilantro, you’ll want to find other natural treats to keep them happy and healthy!
Here’s a list of vegetables hamsters like:
- asparagus
- baby corn
- artichoke
- sweet corn
- cabbage
- basil
- watercress
- beets
- beet tops
- cucumber
- celery
- bell pepper
- broccoli
- broccolini
- mint
- parsley
- okra
- zucchini
- parsnip
- green beans
- sweet potato
- tomato
- cauliflower
- carrot
- carrot tops
- romaine
- potato (cooked only)
- sprouts
- arugula
- swiss chard
- spinach
- endive
- escarole
- butter lettuce
- bibb lettuce
- rocket
- buttercrunch lettuce
- summer squash
- winter squash
- pumpkin
Now that you know the importance of taking a careful approach to giving your hamster cilantro, you might be looking for other items to feed them!
The good news is that this list is just a sampling of the many, many different options. There are plenty of foods that hamsters like (and that are safe for them to eat!) but you’ll want to do a little bit of research before you introduce anything new.
Investing just a few short minutes is the best way to make sure that you’re offering your hamster the right amount of each item.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cilantro safe for hamsters?
Yes, but only in really small amounts.
Can cilantro make my hamster sick?
Cilantro is acidic and too much can give your hamster indigestion. Be sure to offer your hamster only the recommended amount of cilantro to avoid any problems. After all, it’s up to you to keep your pet healthy!
