After we discuss why hamsters run on wheels, it’s time to talk about safe plants for hamsters and plants that you should avoid. Apart from ensuring that a hamster’s cage is secure, a balanced and healthy diet is just as important.
To properly take care of hamsters, it is vital to know what foods are and aren’t safe for hamsters to consume. That’s why we compiled a list of plants that hamsters can and cannot eat. Besides that, we will also tackle why hamsters need plants and some tips when feeding your hamsters.
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WHY LIVE HAMSTERS NEED PLANTS
Plants are beneficial not only for people but for other animals as well. Not only does it produce oxygen, but it can be a source of food as well. And of course, hamsters like to play with whatever they have in their cages, so there’s no harm in adding some plants inside as long as you are placing plants that are safe for hamsters to consume.
Help With Their Balanced Diet
Hamsters are omnivores which means that they eat both meat and plants. Make sure that the plants aren’t contaminated with pesticides or vehicle fumes. Try to buy organic plants and make sure that they are correctly washed if consumed by your pets.
Replicate Their Life in the Wild
Hamsters are naturally wild creatures. That’s why they still need to adapt when you take them to your homes as a domesticated pets. They need a familiar environment around them, and one way to do that is to decorate the cage with plants. That way, they would be able to adapt more comfortable and feel less lonely.
It Keeps a Natural Looking Cage
A cage that doesn’t contain any other natural resources aside from the pet itself is empty-looking and boring, both for the people and the pet. Your hamster will most likely be more active if there are many things to keep themselves busy.
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IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN FEEDING YOUR HAMSTER FRESH HERBS/PLANTS
Even though specific plants are ideal to be eaten by hamsters, make sure that you give them a moderate amount and not too much because it could upset their stomachs.
Avoid feeding them with plants that have thorns or sticky pollens. And of course, make sure that the plants and herbs don’t have any mould on them.
SAFE PLANTS FOR HAMSTERS TO EAT AND HERBS
While in general, fresh plants are a healthy and great addition to your hamster’s diet, make sure that the plants you put inside the cages are edible because they will surely eat everything that their cute paws could get to.
As usual, we care a lot about hamsters, and taking care of them includes making sure they have a balanced diet. We compiled a list of herbs and plants that could be safely eaten by your furry friends.
- parsley
- dill
- basil
- oregano sage
- thyme
- fennel
- mint
- grass
- alfalfa
- wheat sprouts
- marigold
- dandelion
- chamomile
- cornflower
- daisy
- beetroot (all the plant)
- ribwort plantain
- clover
- chickweed
- wormwood plant
- rose petals
- watercress
HERBS AND PLANTS THAT ARE UNSAFE FOR HAMSTERS TO EAT
If there are safe plants for hamsters to eat, there are plants and herbs that your hamster needs to avoid eating because they may cause food poisoning.
Most of the plants on this list have high acidity and can cause diarrhoea, which would lead to dehydration, some can even have deadly effects.
When introducing new food to your pet, make sure that you researched if it’s safe for them first before feeding the food to them. With that being said, here are some of the herbs and plants that your furry friends can’t eat:
- bay laurel
- borage
- caraway/cumin
- cilantro
- catnip
- chervil
- lavender
- lemongrass
- lemon balm
- lemon verbena
- marjoram
- rosemary
- tarragon
- aloe vera plant skin
- lily
- tulip
- elder
- most flowers (except the ones I mentioned above)
- bamboo
- English ivy or any ivy
- any fruit that is high in citrus or citrus-based plants/fruits
FLOWERS THAT ARE SAFE FOR HAMSTERS TO EAT
If some plants and herbs are safe for the hamsters to eat, they can also eat specific types of flowers. The kind of flowers they could eat is short-petal types such as marigold, dandelion, daisy, pansy, and violas. For marigolds, please make sure to look for wild marigolds because French and marsh marigolds are toxic not only for hamsters but for most pets.
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FINAL THOUGHTS ON SAFE PLANTS FOR HAMSTERS
Those are the plants, herbs and flowers your hamster could eat. Most of these are easily accessible and can be bought at your local supermarkets. If you want a safer option, you can even grow them yourselves! We hope that this article has been helpful and that you are excited to provide your hamsters with a variation of foods in moderation and in a balanced way.
I hope you found these safe plants for hamsters useful and we helped you understand more about a healthy hamster diet. If we miss anything or you know other plants that are safe for hamsters, let us know in the comments below and we’ll be happy to add them or answer your questions.
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How often should I put orchard grass in my hamsters cage?
It doesn’t really matter. Hamsters don’t need as much fibre as rabbits. If you are worried about the amount of fibre your hamster eats, you can give them oats or hay, and even orchard grass and see which one they like the most. You can simply add it to their daily diet and they’ll decide for themselves if they want it or not.
My Hamster has eaten Gypsophila and Chrysanthemum without any I’ll effects at all.
Are heather plants safe for hamsters? 🙂 I have looked everywhere and I can’t find the answer lmao
Hi, I’m not sure, to be honest. I think you should ask a vet specialising in rodents or forums groups on Facebook or Reddit.
Noice, Thanks friend <3