Hamster · Fruit
Can hamsters eat oranges?
Better not. Vets and UK animal charities advise against citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit for hamsters because it can upset their digestion.
- Sugar
- 9.4 g / 100 g
If your hamster already ate some
A small piece is not an emergency. Remove any leftovers, make sure fresh water is available and watch for diarrhoea, a wet or dirty tail area, or reduced appetite over the next day or two. Contact a vet promptly if these appear, as diarrhoea can become serious quickly in hamsters.
Why
Risks. Citrus is very acidic and is widely reported to cause digestive upset in hamsters. PDSA notes that newer research questions this, but still advises avoiding citrus until the evidence is clearer.
Benefits. Hamsters make their own vitamin C, unlike guinea pigs, so they gain little from citrus.
Questions owners ask 2
Can hamsters eat lemon, lime, grapefruit or clementine?
No. All citrus fruits carry the same advice, and the peel should not be given either.
Does my hamster need vitamin C from fruit?
No. Unlike guinea pigs, hamsters make their own vitamin C, so a complete pellet diet covers their needs.
Oranges: nutrition per 100 g
| Water | 86.8 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 47 kcal |
| Sugars | 9.4 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| Protein | 0.9 g |
| Fibre | 2.4 g |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg |
| Calcium : phosphorus | 2.86 : 1 |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 11 µg |
| Vitamin C | 53.2 mg |
“Oranges, raw, all commercial varieties”, USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, FDC 169097). Public domain.
Sources & method 8
The sources below discuss oranges for hamsters (or for pet rodents generally). Confidence: high. Rated on the JOMIZOO Feeding Scale; when good sources disagree we choose the more cautious level.
- What to feed your hamster - safe foods, fruit, veg and a complete feeding guide — Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Hamsters as pets — PDSA
- Dwarf Hamster Care Sheet — PetMD (written by Maria Zayas, DVM; reviewed by Melissa Witherell, DVM)
- What Can Hamsters Eat? — PetMD (written by Angelina Childree, LVT; reviewed by Melissa Witherell, DVM)
- Can Hamsters Eat Broccoli & What to Feed Your Hamster — Northgate Veterinary Clinic, Seattle
- Hamster Nutrition — Dogwood Animal Hospital, Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Rodents: Feeding — VCA Animal Hospitals (Gregory Rich, DVM; Laurie Hess, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM)
- Hamster Care Sheet — UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine and Surgery Service (PDF hosted by Wise Owl Animal Hospital)
Other pets
More fruit
Small amounts
Apple
Small amounts
Banana
Small amounts
Blueberry
Small amounts
Strawberry
Small amounts
Raspberry
Never
Grape
Never
Raisin
Small amounts
Watermelon
Small amounts
Cantaloupe
Small amounts
Mango
Small amounts
Pineapple
Small amounts
Pear
Small amounts
Cherry
Small amounts
Peach
Small amounts
Kiwi
Never
Avocado
Small amounts
Coconut