If you are a hamster owner, then you may be wondering if your pet can eat cashews.
In this blog post, we will answer that question and provide some other information about the nutritional value of cashews for hamsters.
We will also discuss some potential risks associated with giving cashews to hamsters. So, read on to learn more!
can hamsters eat cashews? The answer is a qualified yes. Plain roasted cashews are generally safe and healthy for hamsters to eat as part of a balanced diet. However, salted or flavored cashews should be avoided, as they can contain unhealthy levels of salt or sugar.
If your hamster has any kind of medical issues, especially obesity or obesity-related diseases, you should avoid giving them nuts altogether. For the healthiest snack option for your furry friend, stick with plain roasted cashews!
Are Cashews Healthy for hamsters?
MedicalNewsToday estimates that 1 ounce of cashews is equivalent to:
- 12 grams of fat
- 5 grams of protein
- 1.6 grams of sugar
- 1 gram of fiber
- 8.5 grams of carbohydrates
In addition, a large variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are included.
Unfortunately, this is an unbalanced diet for your furry friend. It is only as a treat that nuts and other items that we eat should be given to them, as they require a much higher protein diet.
When it comes to table scraps and other such delicacies, cashews are a tasty option to add variety to their diets.
Now, all of these must be unseasoned, unsalted, and unsweetened. Make sure they are as plain as you can. It doesn’t matter if they’re raw or roasted.
Make sure you don’t give your pet seeds or nuts on a regular basis. Two or more times a week is excessive. In addition, one nut should be served to every person. Seeds can be planted in batches of three to four.
However, be careful not to overstuff your hamster with seeds or nuts, as they contain a lot of fat. In order for your hamster to function properly, it does not require a diet high in fat.
Legumes, NUTS, AND SEEDS
Seeds marked with an asterisk (*) can be fed dry and can be used to supplement the daily diet. For every 1 TABLESPOON of commercial food fed, you can feed a total of 12 TEASPOON of [any combination of] the asterisk-marked seeds. It is recommended to feed at least 2 or 3 seeds in combination (as opposed to feeding just 1 type).
Seeds marked with 2 asterisks (**) can be added to the daily diet in addition to the 1-asterisk seeds. It is safe to feed a 1/2 teaspoon of 1-asterisk seeds +7 flaxseeds +10 sesame seeds +1 safflower seed +2 sunflower seeds all at once.
A total of 2-4 nuts per month can be fed. The serving sizes given assume that that nut is the only one being offered that month.
All nuts and seeds should be unflavored and unsalted.
| Food | Syrian | Robo | Winter White | Campbell's | Chinese | Serving Size | Feeding Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pecans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | Once every 1-2 weeks |
| Hazelnuts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | 1 nut |
| Cashews | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | Once every 1-2 weeks |
| Peanuts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | Once every 1-2 weeks |
| Chickpeas | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | weekly |
| Lentils | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3-5 lentils | Daily |
| Brazil Nuts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | Once every 1-2 weeks |
| *Millet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| **Hemp seeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7- 10 seeds | Daily |
| **Flaxseeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7- 10 seeds | Daily |
| **Chia seeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7- 10 seeds | Daily |
| **Safflower seeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1- 2 seeds | Daily |
| **Sunflower seeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2- 5 seeds | Daily |
| **Sesame seeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7- 10 seeds | Daily |
| Pistachios | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | Once every 1-2 weeks |
| Soynuts / Soybeans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 seed | 2 times a week |
| Pumpkin seeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 seed | 2-3 times a week |
| Squash seeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 seed | 2-3 times a week |
| Walnuts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | Once every 1-2 weeks |
| Almonds(sweets, skinless)) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 nut | Once every 1-2 weeks |
| peas(sugar snap/ snow) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1/2 - 1 teaspoon | Every 1 - 2 days |
| Mung beans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2-5 beans | Daily |
| *Buckwheat groats | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Milo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Quinoa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Barley | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| * Canary grass seed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Wheat berries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Rye berries | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Spelt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Rice | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
| *Oat groats | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | [See above] | Daily |
What nuts can hamsters not eat?
- almonds
- any kind of fruit seed (grape, apple plum, peach, etc)
This does not rule out the possibility of eating the fruit. A small apple or grape flesh pieces are favorites of hamsters.
Just remove the seeds before you give your hamster any fruits because they’re not safe for them.
