Can Hamsters Eat Grapes?
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Some pets can’t eat grapes as they can cause organ damage in certain species. Do these problems extend to hamsters?
Is it safe to feed a hamster grapes? The short answer is “yes,” but there are definitely some dos and don’ts to be aware of before you give your hammy a yummy grape treat!
Keep on reading – our quick guide to grapes for hamsters has the answers you’ve been searching for.
Grape Nutrition Stats
Grapes are generally very sweet, and they’re quite a bit higher in sugar than many other fruits. At the same time, they’re great for your health.
When you eat a one-cup serving of grapes, you get approximately:
- 104 calories
- 5 g carbohydrates
- 5 g fiber
- 1 g protein
- .2 g fat
Grape Nutritional Facts
Grapes are well-known as a great source of antioxidants, which are essential for protecting cells from damage. That’s not all they’re good for.
That same one-cup serving of grapes treats you to an average of:
- .1 mg vitamin B6
- .1 mg manganese
- 288 mg potassium
- 3 mg vitamin C
- .1 mg riboflavin
- .1 mg thiamine
- .2 mg copper
- 22 mcg vitamin K
Can Hamsters Have Grapes?
Absolutely! You can treat your hamster to grapes once in a while. Be careful, because you don’t want to give your furry friend too much of a good thing!
Are Grapes Good For Hamsters?
Let’s put it this way: Grapes offer quite a few nutrients but they shouldn’t be part of your hamster’s everyday diet. When offered in very small amounts, they can be a good treat.
Do Hamsters Like Grapes?
Since hamsters tend to love sweet foods, most of them really enjoy grapes. If you’re looking for a very special treat for your hamster and you’d like to avoid corn syrup, additives, and preservatives, then a grape is a great option.
How Much Grape Can A Hamster Eat?
Just like we shouldn’t eat too much candy, hamsters shouldn’t consume too many grapes.
Here’s how much grape to feed your hamster:
| Age | Amount |
| Baby hamster | None |
| Adult hamster | 1 small grape or ½ large grape |
Be careful when you give your hamster grapes for the very first time, particularly if they haven’t tried sweet fruit before. Too much sugar – even the amount in a large grape – can give your hamster a tummy ache and cause diarrhea. This is something that can happen with any rapid dietary change.
If your hamster already eats fruit, go ahead and offer the entire grape (or half the large grape). If they’re new to fruit, give them only half a small grape.
In both scenarios, be sure to watch your hammy for signs of diarrhea for the next 12 hours or so. If everything remains normal, then you can add grapes to their regular treat rotation.
How Often Can A Hamster Eat Grapes?
Since grapes are high in sugar, it’s important not to give them to your hamster too often. Once or twice per week is often enough, and grapes shouldn’t be offered at the same time as other sweet fruits unless you reduce all the fruit portions and offer no more than about a teaspoon of fruit at a time.
The Correct Diet Is Important
While some pets have highly specialized diets, a hamster can eat a wide variety of things. You might know that hamsters are omnivores, meaning they eat animal protein as well as plants.
A hamster’s natural diet includes things like crickets and worms, which is why many hamster families choose to provide their pets with treats such as dried mealworms!
Don’t worry if you’re not into feeding insects to your hamster: The hamster pellets you buy for your pet are nutritionally complete. Be sure to look at the label so that your hamster gets the right amount of food each day.
It’s a good idea to give your hamster the following foods as part of a well-rounded diet:
- Unlimited supply of fresh water – Remember to rinse and refill your hamster’s drinking bottle at least once per day.
- Fresh Timothy hay – Provide an unlimited supply of fresh hay so your hamster can engage in natural behaviors that help keep stress down. Your hamster will nibble on the hay, plus they’ll combine it with their hamster bedding to build nests and use it for fun tunneling projects.
- A little bit of birdseed – About a teaspoon per week is plenty.
- A little bit of fresh fruit and veggies – Tiny bits each day or every other day
- Chewable treats– Your hamster’s teeth are always growing. Your pet needs to nibble on things like untreated softwood sticks, hay cubes, unbleached loofah, or coconut shell every day. There are lots of hamster toys to choose from!
If you asked your hamster, they’d probably tell you that variety is the spice of life! Be sure to keep your pet’s food and treats fresh since spoiled or stale items aren’t healthy.
Last but not least, be sure to give your hammy only as much grape or other fresh treats as they can eat at once. When they lose interest in their fresh snacks, remove the excess right away so that it doesn’t end up being hoarded.
If your hamster puts fresh food in their “pantry” it’s likely to spoil or develop mold, which could make your pet very sick.
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Grapes In A Hamster’s Diet?
You want your hamster to live as long as possible – and you want them to be happy, too! Good news: Fresh snacks can help your hamster enjoy good health while making life more interesting.
Here are some veggies hamsters tend to like:
- artichoke
- asparagus
- sweet corn
- baby corn
- cabbage
- cilantro
- parsley
- basil
- mint
- beets
- beet tops
- arugula
- potato (cooked only)
- sprouts
- carrot
- carrot tops
- romaine
- endive
- swiss chard
- bibb lettuce
- spinach
- escarole
- buttercrunch lettuce
- red lettuce
- cucumber
- celery
- green beans
- winter squash
- pumpkin
- summer squash
- zucchini
- parsnip
- bell pepper
- cauliflower
- broccoli
- broccolini
- tomato
- okra
- watercress
- yu choy
- bok choy
The natural world offers lots of wonderful treats for hamsters including many fruits and veggies that aren’t listed here. There are so many, in fact, that it would be impossible to list them all in a short hamster nutrition guide!
That’s why we recommend researching each new food you consider for your hamster before feeding it to them; a few moments of your time can help your pet stay safe and healthy.
Giving your hamster grapes and other fresh treats is a great way to help them enjoy life!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are grapes safe for hamsters?
Yes! It’s safe to give a hamster grapes. Remember to wash them well and only give the recommended amount.
Can grapes make my hamster sick?
Too many grapes can give your hamster diarrhea, and if you offer too many sugary treats (including grapes) over time, your hamster can develop obesity and diabetes, two problems that can cause serious discomfort and shorten your pet’s life significantly.
Can my hamster have grape seeds?
It’s not a good idea to give your hamster grapes with seeds. The seeds are sharp and can cause problems, so it’s best to remove them before you treat your hamster to their grape treat.
Can my hamster eat raisins?
If you want to give your hamster a very special treat, a raisin is just the thing. Only offer one raisin and make sure that it doesn’t have any sugar added. Be sure that your hamster is accustomed to eating a variety of sweet fruits before offering them a raisin.
