can hamsters eat millet?+ Foods Cats Should Avoid!

Hamsters are small rodents that are known for their love of food. While they can eat a variety of different things, some hamster owners may be wondering if millet is a good option for their furry friend.

In this blog post, we will explore whether or not hamsters can eat millet and provide some tips on how to introduce this food to your pet.

Let’s get started!

can hamsters eat millet? Millet is not good food for hamsters to eat. It contains quite the amount of water with hints of sodium and fat which means that their stomachs might get full too quickly or have an adverse effect on other nutrients in some cases due to just one serving size being too much!

A small amount would be okay but if they were feeding themselves than this wouldn’t really work as well because there are so many different ingredients found within these grains – including phosphorus-

something very toxic when ingested at high doses by animals such as certain types of rats/mice who may also develop kidney problems from consuming them over time.

Nutrient in millet

  1. Monounsaturated 0.8 g
  2. Potassium (4%) 195 mg
  3. Niacin (B3) (31%) 4.72 mg
  4. Polyunsaturated
  5. Vitamin C (0%) 0 mg
  6. Calcium (1%) 8 mg
  7. Thiamine (B1) (37%) 0.42 mg
  8. Fat 4.2g
  9. Dietary fiber 8.5 g
  10. Carbohydrates
  11. Phosphorus (41%) 285 mg
  12. Vitamins 72.8 g
  13. Minerals
  14. Vitamin B6 (29%) 0.38 mg
  15. Vitamin K (1%) 0.9 μg
  16. Iron (23%) 3.0 mg
  17. Manganese (76%) 1.6 mg
  18. Pantothenic acid (B5) (17%) 0.85 mg
  19. Saturated 0.7 g
  20. Folate (B9) (21%) 85 μg
  21. Selenium 2.7 µg
  22. Water 8.7 g
  23. Zinc (18%) 1.7 mg
  24. Sodium (0%) 5 mg
  25. Magnesium (32%) 114 mg
  26. omega‑6
  27. 4.2 g
  28. Riboflavin (B2) (24%) 0.29 mg

What grains are safe for hamsters?

Your hamsters will enjoy munching on nuts as a reward! Shelled nuts can be a fun and educational toy for your hamster since it will have to work hard to get them.

Do keep in mind, though, that nuts contain a large amount of calories and fat, so be careful.

As overfeeding nuts can cause obesity in hamsters, it is recommended that they be fed one a day or once every two or three days.

  1. Cooked Pasta, dried
  2. Walnuts (if with shell, drill a hole for a hamster)
  3. Cooked Rice, dried
  4. Soybeans
  5. Peanuts (ideally raw and in shell, hamsters love it as a chew)
  6. Dry toast
  7. Popped Quinoa
  8. Flaxseed
  9. Pine nuts
  10. Sesame seeds
  11. Unflavoured Popcorn
  12. Pumpkin Seeds
  13. Bran

HEALTHY SNACKS AND TREATS.

All ingredients in these foods (such as in baby food and cereal) should be hamster-safe. For example, do not feed ham baby food, because ham is unsafe for hamsters.
FoodSyrian Robo Winter WhiteCampbell's Chinese Serving SizeFeeding Recommendation

 

FOODWhy it should be avoided
Fruit seeds/pitsApple seeds, pear seeds, pits of cherries and apricots and the oils and extracts in grape seeds contain cyanogenic acids that can be lethal if eaten.
Onion, garlic, leak, chivesGarlic can cause indigestion and blood disorders. Chemicals in onions, garlic and leek can damage red blood cells resulting in anemia, as well as gastroenteritis. Avoid these foods as an ingredient in treats, foods etc.
Human "junk food"Too high in sugars, unhealthy hydrogenated fats, and salts
Raw potatoesAll raw potatoes contain oxalic acid and arsenic that comes from the roots when they grow. These chemicals are toxic to hamsters.
Iceberg lettuceFilled with natural water and can cause liver problems if eaten in excess. Can cause diarrhea. Has little nutritional value. Alternatives include dandelion, greens, romaine lettuce and kale.
PeanutsToo high in fat. Salted peanuts can cause dehydration. One unsalted peanut per week is fine.
ChocolateChocolate contains Theobromine, dark chocolate contains even more Theobromine and remains in the system for prolonged periods. Prolonged ingestion of Theobromine can cause testicular damage. Contains Caffeine which affects the central nervous system of the animal, increasing arousal and heart rate leading to stress and even death. Chocolate is also extremely toxic for unborn hamsters of pregnant pets because it can pass through the placenta and can even get in breast milk.
PineappleToo acidic and contains too much sugar.
TomatoesTomato leaves are toxic to hamsters. Although a tiny piece of tomato is okay, I wouldn’t recommend it as it is very acidic and can cause an upset stomach and/or diarrhea.
Chilli peppers, spices and seasonings Chilli peppers or anything spicy will cause discomfort hamsters stomach. Very harsh and difficult to digest.
Canned or processed foods Very high in salt and chemicals.
Pork products and deli meats Pork (bacon, ham) not healthy and toxic to your hamster.
AlmondsUnroasted bitter almonds contain cyanide – too much can lead to death. Moderately high in fat.
Kidney beans (raw and canned) Very toxic.
Jams and jellies Very high in sugar. Very sticky and can get stuck in their cheek pouches. Full of chemicals.
PicklesHigh acidic content can cause upset stomach and tooth degradation.
Candy Full of chemicals and sugar. Empty calories. Can lead to diabetes if eaten in excess.
EggplantToxic to hamsters and can upset their stomach.

 

VEGETABLES

The serving sizes given assume that the item in question is the only item you are feeding. If you wish to feed multiple items within the feeding recommendation time, you must reduce the serving of each item appropriately. For example, if you were to feed broccoli and bell peppers, you would not feed 1 teaspoon of each (total 2 tsp). You would feed 1/2 tsp broccoli and 1/2 tsp pepper (total 1 tsp).

Variety is ideal. Feeding multiple vegetables is highly preferable to feeding the same one day after day. All vegetables should be fresh, ripe, and in good condition

FoodSyrian Robo Winter WhiteCampbell's Chinese Serving SizeFeeding Recommendation
BroccoliYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1-2 days
CarrotsYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
PumpkinYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1-2 days
Bok ChoyYesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
SquashYesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
Zucchini YesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1-2
Asparagus YesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
Brussels sproutsYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
CeleryYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoonOnce per week
Sweet PotatoesYesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
peas(split)YesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
CauliflowerYesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
EndiveYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoon Every 1 - 2 days
SweetcornYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2
Bell Pepper (any color)YesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
ParsnipsYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1-2 days
CucumberYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoonOnce per week
peas(sugar snap/ snow)YesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
TurnipYesYesYesYesYes 1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
Potatoes (cooked)YesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
RadicchioYesYesYesYesYes1/2 - 1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
TomatoYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoonOnce per week
Green beansYesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days
Bean sproutsYesYesYesYesYes1/2-1 teaspoonEvery 1 - 2 days

 

fruits

The serving sizes given assume that the item in question is the only item you are feeding. If you wish to feed multiple items within the feeding recommendation time, you must reduce the serving of each item appropriately. For example, if you were to feed strawberries and apples, you would not feed 1/4 teaspoon of strawberry and 1/4 teaspoon of apple (total 1/2 teaspoon). You would need to feed a smaller piece of each, so that the total amount is 1/4 teaspoon.

All fruits should be fresh, ripe, and in good condition.

FoodSyrian Robo Winter WhiteCampbell's Chinese Serving SizeFeeding Recommendation
blueberries YesYesYesYesYes1- 3 berries1-2 times per week
blackberriesYesYesYesYesYes1 berryEvery 1 - 2 days
KiwiYesYesYesYesYes1/4 - teaspoon1-2 times per week
Grapes (No seeds)YesYesYesYesYes1/2 small grape1-2 times per week
cherries (No pits)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 cherry1-2 times per week
pearsYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
cantaloupe YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
BananasYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
MangoYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
plums (No pits)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
Raspberries YesYesYesYesYes1 raspberry 1-2 times per week
coconutYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
HoneydewYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon 1-2 times per week
WatermelonYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
ApricotYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
Apples No seeds)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
lycheeYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
papayaYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
strawberries YesYesYesYesYes 1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
pineapple YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
peaches(no pits)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week

 

MEATS AND ANIMAL PROTEIN

The serving sizes given assume that the item in question is the ONLY item you are feeding. If you wish to feed multiple items within the feeding recommendation time, you must reduce the serving of each item appropriately. All meats fed to hamsters should be thoroughly boiled or baked, and unseasoned. Do not feed any fried meats, canned meats, or deli-style lunchmeats
FoodSyrian Robo Winter WhiteCampbell's Chinese Serving SizeFeeding Recommendation
BeefYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoonEvery 1-2 a week
Cricket (pet shop)YesYesYesYesYes1 insectEvery 1 - 2 days
TurkeyYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoonEvery 1-2 a week
Grasshoppers (pet shop)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times a week
ChickenYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times a week
Mealworms (pet shop)YesYesYesYesYes2-5 insectsEvery 1 - 2 days
shrimp YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times a week
Fish (fresh, not canned)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times a week
Egg white (boiled / scrambled)YesYesYesYesYes1/2 teaspoon1-2 times a week
Pork (lean, uncured cuts only)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times a week

Conclusion: can hamsters eat millet?

Hamsters should not eat millet because it is bad for their health. Millets are high in water, sodium, and some fat- which means it will be hard on their systems if they down one or two doses every day!

There are many types out there with varying levels that you can find at your nearest grocery store – just make sure these have been proven safe by looking up labels like “garden center” first before feeding them to your furry friend.

About Samuel Woods

Samuel is a dedicated and talented freelance writer who has been in the industry since 2006. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to research and write about a wide range of topics while working to hone his skills in crafting high-quality content and implementing effective content marketing strategies. In addition to his writing career, Samuel is also an avid reader and enjoys spending his free time exploring new books and authors. As an animal lover, he is particularly passionate about advocating for animal welfare and works to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in his community and beyond. Samuel currently resides in a beautiful, rural location with his family and a small menagerie of pets, including dogs, cats, and birds.