Hamster · Grains, seeds & nuts
Can hamsters eat cashews?
Yes, in small amounts. Plain, unsalted cashews are not known to be toxic to hamsters, but they are fatty, and most snack cashews are salted or flavoured.
- Portion
- A quarter to half of one cashew for a Syrian; a crumb for a dwarf.
- How often
- Once a week at most
- Dwarf hamsters
- For diabetes-prone dwarfs, a crumb-sized piece now and then is the most to give.
- Sugar
- 5.9 g / 100 g
- Fat
- 43.9 g / 100 g
How to serve it
- Use plain, unsalted cashews sold for people
- Avoid salted, honey-roasted, spiced or chocolate-covered cashews
- Break into small pieces
Why
Risks. Cashews are high in fat, which can contribute to obesity. Salted and flavoured cashews add sodium, sugar or seasonings such as onion and garlic powder. Cashews are sold shelled because the shell contains irritant oils, so never offer anything from a whole cashew shell.
Benefits. Provides protein and fat; useful as an occasional high-value treat.
Questions owners ask 2
Can hamsters eat salted cashews?
No. Use only plain, unsalted cashews, and only a small piece.
Are 'raw' cashews from the shop safe?
Cashews sold as 'raw' have already been removed from the shell and processed for eating, so a small plain piece is fine. Never offer cashews still in their shell.
Cashews: nutrition per 100 g
| Water | 5.2 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 553 kcal |
| Sugars | 5.9 g |
| Fat | 43.9 g |
| Protein | 18.2 g |
| Fibre | 3.3 g |
| Calcium | 37 mg |
| Phosphorus | 593 mg |
| Calcium : phosphorus | 0.06 : 1 |
| Sodium | 12 mg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 0 µg |
| Vitamin C | 0.5 mg |
“Nuts, cashew nuts, raw”, USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, FDC 170162). Public domain.
Sources & method 4
No source we found covers cashews for hamsters specifically, so this verdict is reasoned from general feeding guidance and nutrition data. Confidence: medium. Rated on the JOMIZOO Feeding Scale; when good sources disagree we choose the more cautious level.
- Feeding your hamster — PDSA
- Rodents: Feeding — VCA Animal Hospitals (Gregory Rich, DVM; Laurie Hess, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM)
- Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters — Veterinary Partner (VIN)
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
