Who doesn’t love chocolate? It’s a deliciously sweet and may even incorporate many ingredients and flavors, even including nuts and fruits. And if you love to eat chocolate, you may find yourself wanting to share your candy bar with your pet hamster.
But can hamsters eat chocolate safely? The answer is an emphatic no. You read that correctly – your hamster should not, under any circumstances, eat chocolate.
Read on to get the health information about chocolate and find out exactly why it’s not a good fit for your hamster.
Contents
Chocolate Nutrition Information
One cup of chocolate will give you roughly the following amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds:
- 899 calories
- 100 gram carbohydrates
- 5.7 gram fiber
- 13 gram protein
- 50 gram fat
- 625 milligram potassium
- 5.7 gram dietary fiber
- 87 gram sugar
- 312 milligram calcium
- 4 milligram iron
- 33.6 milligram caffeine
As you can see, chocolate doesn’t offer a tremendous amount by way of vitamins and minerals, which is probably why it’s classified as junk food for all species. But while humans can afford to eat a little unhealthy in this regard, hamsters certainly cannot.
How Much Chocolate Can You Give a Hamster?
The amount of chocolate you can safely give a hamster is the same no matter if it is a baby or an adult. The amount of chocolate you can safely give your hamster is zero. Do not give your hamster chocolate! Instead, give your hamster a balanced diet of regular hamster food, other, more acceptable treats, and plenty of fresh water. Just leave the chocolate out of it entirely.
How Often Should You Give Your Hamster Chocolate?
The recommended serving suggestion for chocolate and hamsters is never, because hamsters can’t have chocolate. Instead of giving your hamster chocolate to eat, perhaps give another piece of fruit in moderation, instead, such as raspberries. But whatever else you give your hamster to eat should also be given in small portions, and under supervision.
What Risks Are Associated with Feeding Hamsters?
This is the most important point – the reason why you can’t give your hamster chocolate. The caffeine present in chocolate is simply too much for little hamster tummies, likely resulting in a case of diarrhea. Diarrhea, in turn, can lead to dehydration. Dehydration, of course, can severely damage a hamster’s digestive system. The theobromine in chocolate is also toxic to hamsters.
So as you can see, the risks associated with giving chocolate to your hamster is too great, and not even worth trying. If your hamster does end up eating chocolate, be sure to consult your veterinarian.
Can Hamsters Eat Chocolate – Final Thoughts
Chocolate is a very tasty snack – but only for people; never for hamsters. It’s true that chocolate contains a few vitamins and minerals, but it is also full of caffeine, which is a bad idea for furry little digestive systems. We’ll say it one more time, just to be safe – don’t ever give your hamster chocolate. Give your hammy some nice veggies, instead – or maybe some berries. But don’t let your hamster eat chocolate.
