Can hamsters eat carrots?

Yes, in moderation. Raw carrot is safe for hamsters and they enjoy gnawing it, but it is one of the sweetest vegetables. Give a thin slice or a small cube two or three times a week, washed and raw. For Russian dwarf hamsters, which tend towards diabetes, stay at the lower end.

A golden hamster grooms an agouti one in Nibbly; the agouti one closes its eyes with pleasure.

How much carrot, and how often

  • Amount: a thin slice or a one-centimetre cube.
  • How often: two or three times a week; for a dwarf, twice.
  • How: raw, washed or peeled. The leafy tops are fine too, in small amounts.
  • Never: salted or dressed carrot, carrot juice or carrot cake.

Why in moderation

Carrot gives vitamin A and fibre, and being hard it gives your hamster something to gnaw. But it has more sugar than most vegetables, so it should not be the everyday vegetable: swap it with broccoli, cucumber or courgette. Too much carrot can make it fat and, in dwarf hamsters, raise the risk of diabetes.

Cinnamon Russian dwarf hamster eating from its bowl full of seed mix in Nibbly.

Food in Nibbly

In Nibbly you choose what goes in the bowl: seed mix, which keeps their weight, veggies, light and with a little water, or sunflower seeds, which they love but which are fattening. Overfed hamsters get chubby, and treats from your hand help you earn their trust. Everything they eat is in the feeding guide.

Adopt your hamsters in Nibbly

Frequently asked questions

Can hamsters eat carrot tops?

Yes, the green carrot tops are safe and have less sugar than the root. Wash them well and give a small amount.

Does carrot wear down its teeth?

It helps a little because it is hard, but it is not enough. To wear its teeth down it needs its pellets and some wood to gnaw.

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