Can Hamsters Eat Tomatoes?
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Fun fact: Tomatoes are actually fruit, even though they make it onto tons of “favorite veggie” lists!
Whether you call it fruit or vegetable, tomatoes are probably one of your top options; the question is, though, can hamsters have tomatoes?
If so, how much tomato can a hamster have? Before you run for the kitchen, take a few minutes to read our guide to tomatoes for hamsters.
We’ve got all the answers you need – all in one place.
Tomato Nutrition Stats
Tomatoes are really good for you, and they’re great for your hamster, so long as they’re ripe.
If you eat one ripe, raw, medium-sized tomato, you’ll get approximately:
- 22 calories
- 8 g carbohydrates
- 5 g fiber
- 1 protein
- .2 g fat
Tomato Nutritional Facts
Besides lycopene and other important antioxidants that help your cells resist damage, tomatoes contain many other nutrients for a surprisingly small number of calories.
That same medium ripe tomato offers about:
- 1025 iu vitamin A
- 292 mg potassium
- 4 mcg folate
- 6 mg vitamin C
- 1 mg vitamin B6
- 1 mg manganese
- trace amounts:
- calcium
- vitamin E
- magnesium
- phosphorus
- iron
- copper
- zinc
Can Hamsters Have Tomato?
Yes – but not in large quantities, and not too terribly often. There’s more: Only feed your hamster ripe tomatoes since the green portions, stems, and leaves contain toxins.
Is Tomato Good For Hamsters?
Yes! When you offer it as part of a varied diet, tomato is a healthy snack for hamsters.
Do Hamsters Like Tomatoes?
Hamsters have something in common with people when it comes to tomatoes: Some hammies really enjoy tomatoes while others don’t care for them.
You can check to see if your hamster likes tomatoes by offering a tiny amount and seeing how they respond to this treat!
How Much Tomato Can A Hamster Eat?
We humans can consume tomatoes in fairly large quantities but hamsters need to take a far more careful approach.
Here’s how much tomato to feed a hamster:
| Age | Amount |
| Baby hamster | None |
| Adult hamster | ½ cherry tomato or 1 teaspoon sliced tomato |
If your hamster likes tomato, they can be introduced to this fruit over the course of a couple of feedings. Since too much tomato can cause diarrhea and bloating, it’s important to let your hammy get used to it gradually instead of giving them the entire treat all at once on the very first try.
After treating your hamster to a tomato treat for the first time, observe them for about 12 hours to see if diarrhea or any discomfort develops. If not, you can give them the entire treat next time tomato is on their menu.
How Often Can A Hamster Eat Tomatoes?
You can give your hamster tomato once a week. This doesn’t sound like much but tomatoes are really acidic and too much can disrupt your hamster’s digestive system.
If your hamster is a new arrival and has never had fresh fruit or veggies, then don’t give them tomato as it might be a shock to their system.
Offer something mild like cucumber instead, offering just about ¼ of a slice and watching carefully for diarrhea and other signs of an upset tummy before working your way into other things, offering a small amount of something fresh every other day for the first week and every day the following week.
Give your hamster about two weeks to adjust to fresh treats before offering any tomato at all.
The Correct Diet Is Important
Wild hamsters eat lots of different foods! Even though tomatoes probably aren’t included in a hamster’s natural diet, they can be a nice addition to your pet’s menu.
Here’s what you should be feeding your hamster each day for good health:
- Hamster pellets – These don’t look terribly exciting to us but they contain all the nutrients your hamster needs. Check the package for the correct serving size.
- Fresh Timothy hay – Your hamster will enjoy life a whole lot more if you provide an unlimited amount of fresh timothy hay. Not only will they nibble their hay, they’ll put it to good use in their hamster habitat, building tunnels and using it as nesting material.
- Chewable treats – Durable items like untreated softwood sticks, hay cubes, coconut shells, and unbleached loofah are essential. Your hamster needs access to hamster toys and tough treats 24/7; without them, their teeth can become overgrown and painful.
- Small bits of fruit and vegetables can be provided every day or every other day.
- A teaspoon of birdseed once a week will round out your hamster’s diet.
- Optional protein snacks such as dried mealworms will make your hammy even happier!
Since hamsters are prone to hoarding their leftovers, it’s very important to remove uneaten fruit and veggies right away. This will prevent dangerous mold from forming and it’ll make cleaning time far easier for you.
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Tomato In A Hamster’s Diet?
Tomato is a tasty, natural treat for hamsters but variety is definitely the spice of life!
Here’s a list of vegetables hamsters usually like:
- red lettuce
- green beans
- celery
- parsnip
- buttercrunch lettuce
- winter squash
- cucumber
- summer squash
- watercress
- sweet potato
- basil
- baby corn
- parsley
- asparagus
- beets
- beet tops
- mint
- potato (cooked only)
- swiss chard
- rocket
- bibb lettuce
- spinach
- bell pepper
- escarole
- pumpkin
- broccoli
- broccolini
- okra
- zucchini
- cauliflower
- bok choy
- yu choy
- artichoke
- sweet corn
- cabbage
- carrot
- carrot tops
- cilantro
- romaine
- arugula
- sprouts
- endive
Most fruits and veggies humans like are safe for hamsters, too!
Unfortunately, some foods are toxic to hamsters so it’s very important to spend a few minutes researching new items to make sure that they’re safe before offering them to your pet.
A little research will also tell you how much of each item to give your hamster as well as how often they should eat it.
For now though, giving your hamster tomato might be the ideal way to add more flavor to their menu!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tomato safe for hamsters?
Yes! It’s safe to give tomato to a hamster so long as you offer the right amount on the correct schedule.
Can tomatoes make my hamster sick?
Unfortunately, green tomatoes can be toxic so you’ll want to make sure that you only offer ripe tomatoes. Also, be sure to give only the recommended amount of tomato since overdoing it can mean diarrhea and uncomfortable bloating.
Can hamsters have tomato leaves?
No! Tomato leaves and vines are toxic to hamsters. Be sure to remove them before you give your hamster tomato.
