For the avoidance of any doubt, under no circumstance should your hamster eat chocolate!
What Is Chocolate?
Everyone loves chocolate, right?
Chocolate is a preparation of the seeds from cacao trees.
The main components responsible for its taste are sugars and fats. There are four different types of fatty acids that give chocolate its unique flavors: caprylic, capric, myristic and lauric acids as well as smaller amounts of stearic acid.
The cocoa solids account for nearly fifty percent of the weight in chocolate liquor.
The fat content varies depending on what type of chocolate product it will be used for, with the high fat dark chocolates containing between thirty-five to fifty-five percent cocoa butter. Cocoa powder contains twenty-one percent cocoa butter, milk chocolate has about twenty-three percent and white chocolate does not have any at all.
Can Hamsters Eat Chocolate?
Hamsters definitely should not be given any chocolate of any kind. under any circumstance!
Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are poisonous to hamsters. In addition, dark chocolate contains hundreds of times more than milk chocolate and white chocolate combined. When a hamster eats food that it is poisonous for them they can get vomiting diarrhea , seizures, internal bleeding or even die from shock if the quantities ingested were large enough. No matter how much it begs or how big your hamster is you should never give your hamster chocolate of any kind in order to avoid a very unpleasant death for your pet.
Benefits Of Chocolate For Hamsters
There are no benefits of feeding chocolate to your hamster, only risks.
You should not feed your hamster any kind of chocolate, dark, milk or white chocolate should all be avoided.
Risks Of Chocolate For Hamsters
The primary risk being chocolate poisoning, which is difficult to diagnose. It may take five or six days before symptoms appear, so by the time you see them, it’s likely already too late.
The first signs are loss of appetite, frequent urination and diarrhoea followed by hyperactivity and restlessness. Soon after these symptoms come severe dehydration seizures coma and death due to heart failure. Chocolate poisoning can be fatal within twenty-four hours although treatment (and luck) might prolong the hamster’s life for a few days at least.
How Much Chocolate Can A Hamster Eat?
You should not feed your hamster chocolate at all.
Despite what some sources will tell you, there is no ‘safe’ dose of chocolate for your hamster. So if you’re looking to feed them some delicious treats then try something else instead.
Any amount above zero is dangerous.
If My Hamster Can’t Eat Chocolate What Else Can My Hamster Eat?
We have looked at if your hamster can eat chocolate and the answer is no!
Other than good quality hamster food, what else could you be feeding your hamster?
Grains
Grains are a staple food for hamsters. You should give about a tablespoonful each day. Grains can be found in commercially prepared hamster mixes, providing protein and carbohydrates. Avoid overfeeding fatty nuts (peanuts and sunflower seeds), as they can cause obesity.
Fresh, organic vegetables are the best choice for your hamster.
If you’re not using organic produce, be sure to clean it properly to get rid of any pesticides.
Whilst most vegetables are generally safe for hamsters, dark green vegetables are the best choice, so things like;
- Artichokes
- Broccoli spears
- Carrot tops
- Dandelion greens
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach
Avoid iceberg lettuce and other high-water veggies or fruits (such as watermelon) to avoid stomach problems.
Fruits
Like vegetables, most fruit is OK for hamsters in small portions, as a supplement to the usual diet.
Some good choices are;
- Apples (with pips removed)
- Bananas
- Pears
- Strawberries
Remember always remove any uneaten veggies or fruits from your hamster’s cage within 24 hours to avoid them going off.
Timothy hay
Often overlooked for hamsters, hay is a wonderful gnawing food that can keep your hamster’s teeth clean.
Fresh water
Your hamster should always have access to fresh water, changed daily.
What’s The Best Diet For Hamsters?
If you have a hamster, you need to make sure that you are feeding them the best food possible.
We’ve discussed if hamsters can eat chocolate, and whilst hamsters can eat a wide variety of things, their primary diet should consist of good quality hamster food.
There are a lot of options available for your hamster, but not all of them are good! If you want to learn more about the best hamster food, you can read our full review of the best hamster foods here.
If you just want to know what we recommend, it’s Kaytee Pro Health Hamster food.
The Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Food was created by animal nutritionists to ensure that your hamster gets the correct nutrition within their diet.
To support digestive health, Forti-Diet Pro Health includes probiotics and prebiotics. This food is high in natural antioxidants for general health and immunity protection, as well as some bigger, crunchier pieces to promote dental health through natural chewing action.
- Larger, crunchy pieces supports dental health through natural chewing activity
- Prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health
- Naturally preserved for ideal freshness
- A nutritionally complete diet for hamsters and gerbils
- All natural
Summary
The article explains that hamsters cannot eat chocolate because it is dangerous for them. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which can cause seizures, coma, and even death in hamsters. Additionally, chocolate can cause gastrointestinal problems in hamsters. Therefore, it is important to not feed your hamster chocolate and to give them a diet that consists of good quality hamster food instead.
