Can Hamsters have Carrots?

Hey Pet Parents & Pet Lovers,

Hamsters can be pretty picky creatures and you may already know that it is super important to make sure that they grind their teeth to make sure they don’t grow too long. If your hamster isn’t interested in any chew toys you may want to give them some human food to help make sure they are as healthy as they can be, which brings us to the question of the day… Can Hamsters have Carrots?

Short Answer

Yes! Yes, they can! But I would keep reading just to be safe.

Introducing your Hamster to Carrots

Hamsters shouldn’t have too much carrot and should be introduced to them slowly. Give your hammy friend a small piece at first and monitor them for a few days before giving them the next piece. Hamsters have fairly sensitive stomachs and may get sick after eating carrots if they have an allergy or other health issues. Like most animals, the sensitivity will show up by them having diarrhea or vomiting. This can be a bit difficult to diagnose so make sure you are changing your hamster’s bedding frequently to make sure you can properly see where their health is at.

What should I do if my Hamster gets sick?

Make sure to isolate your hamster in a newly bedded cage and take them to the vet. Hamsters easily get dehydrated and will die soon after they begin the vomit fest. We actually learned this the hard way when we lost Twitch last year.

My hamster seems fine, can I feed carrots daily?

Absolutely, but make sure to do this in moderation only giving small pieces. I personally wouldn’t feed daily, but every few days just to make sure that my hammy isn’t getting too much sugar. Hamsters are hoarders, so if they get too much food… well they get fat or develop diabetes. Dwarf Hamsters should be fed carrots VERY sparingly, as they are more prone to developing diabetes. You should also make sure to get rid of uneaten carrots and check your hammy’s cheeks. If your hammy doesn’t eat the carrots right away they may store them in their mouth which may lead them to rot and in turn cause digestive issues.

Should I soften the carrots?

No, hard carrots are much better for your hammy friend. When you boil carrots they lose quite a bit of the health benefits the raw carrots have, and won’t be great for grinding your hamster’s teeth down (being the main benefit.)

Hamsters we recommend feeding carrots: Syrian’s and Roborovski hamsters

Hamsters we do not recommend feeding carrots: Winter white dwarf’s, Russian Campbell dwarf’s and Chinese hamsters

Other Posts in this Series

Can Hamsters Eat Kale?
Can Hamsters Eat Guinea Pig Food?
Can Hamsters Have Strawberries?
Can Hamsters have Carrots?
Can Hamsters have Bananas?