Hamster · Grains, seeds & nuts
Can hamsters eat walnuts?
Yes, in small amounts. Plain shelled walnut is not known to be toxic to hamsters, but it is one of the fattiest nuts, and mouldy walnuts can carry dangerous toxins.
- Portion
- A piece about the size of a pea for a Syrian; a crumb for a dwarf.
- How often
- Once a week at most
- Dwarf hamsters
- For dwarfs, which are small and prone to diabetes, keep walnut to a crumb once in a while.
- Sugar
- 2.6 g / 100 g
- Fat
- 65.2 g / 100 g
How to serve it
- Use fresh, plain, unsalted shelled walnuts sold for people
- Throw away any that smell rancid or show mould or dark discolouration
- Never offer walnuts picked up from the ground
- Break into pea-sized pieces
Why
Risks. Walnuts are very high in fat, which can contribute to obesity and digestive upset. Mouldy walnuts can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which cause tremors and seizures in dogs; that is the reason to use only fresh, human-grade nuts.
Benefits. Walnuts contain protein and polyunsaturated fats, and a small piece makes a high-value taming treat.
Questions owners ask 2
Can hamsters eat walnuts in the shell?
Whole walnuts are too big and hard for most hamsters, and old shells can hide mould. Offer a small piece of shelled walnut instead.
Can hamsters eat candied or salted walnuts?
No. Sugar, honey and salt coatings make them unsuitable.
Walnuts: nutrition per 100 g
| Water | 4.1 g |
|---|---|
| Energy | 654 kcal |
| Sugars | 2.6 g |
| Fat | 65.2 g |
| Protein | 15.2 g |
| Fibre | 6.7 g |
| Calcium | 98 mg |
| Phosphorus | 346 mg |
| Calcium : phosphorus | 0.28 : 1 |
| Sodium | 2 mg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 1 µg |
| Vitamin C | 1.3 mg |
“Nuts, walnuts, english”, USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, FDC 170187). Public domain.
Sources & method 5
No source we found covers walnuts 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
- Tremorgenic Neuromycotoxicosis in Dogs — Merck Veterinary Manual
