Can Hamsters Eat Bread?
Here’s What A Vet Has To Say

Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM

October 17, 2021

Bread is simple food made of water and grain flour. However, we love it, and in many places of the world, bread is a staple food. Based on the type of bread and where it comes from, it can also be spiced and enriched with different seeds and seasonings.

So, what is not to love about bread? Especially if you baked it yourself and get to enjoy it while still warm and fresh out of the oven.

But what about sharing that tasty, freshly baked bread with your hamster? Can hamsters eat bread? Are there any health benefits or risks? What about other bakery products?

Well, with so many questions, it is best to start providing the answers. Just keep reading, and we will explain everything.

Yes, hamsters can eat bread. In general, bread contains protein and some vitamins and minerals. Its crunchy texture is suitable for nibbling too. However, bread is packed with carbs, and you should follow feeding recommendations to prevent obesity in your hamster. Plus, many breads contain gluten, which is a known allergen for hamsters.

If you follow the strict feeding guidelines and offer your hamster a tiny bread piece now and then.
– Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM

So, what does this mean? It means that you can feed bread to hamsters, but only as an infrequent treat. Hamsters thrive on high-quality, store-bought pellets or seed mix. These hamster foods should comprise as much as 90% of your hamster’s diet. The remaining 10% should include worms, treats, veggies, and fruits.

No matter the breed, all hamsters can eat bread when adequately portioned and served. However, because of their size, going overboard is more likely when it comes to Dwarf hamsters, and the consequences are more severe.

Do hamsters like bread? Yes, hamsters are generally greedy and do not have particularly picky eating habits. However, everything is possible. Every hamster is different, and some hamsters may dislike bread.

However, the majority of hammies like nibbling on a crispy bread chunk. There are also differences between different types of bread – in terms of safety, benefits and risks, and feeding guidelines (more on this topic later).

When adding bread to the hamster’s menu, you need to be extra careful. Bread can have some benefits, but the cons can quickly outweigh the pros unless served in the right amount and frequency.

Although there are not many health benefits of serving bread to hamsters, the ones that do exist are definitely worth mentioning.

The bread’s nutritional value and health benefits that come with this baked good are a hot and widely debated topic.

Normal and healthy teeth

Every hamster parent knows that these little rodents often suffer from abnormalities in the growth of their teeth. This is because their teeth are continuously growing and need to be kept trimmed by feeding the hamster suitable foods.

This is where bread comes in handy. It satisfies the hamster’s need to nibble and can prevent dental issues caused by abnormal growth.

Decent calcium and magnesium amounts

Hamsters need calcium for two main reasons – strong bones and a healthy cardiovascular system. Luckily, bread contains decent amounts of calcium.

Bread is also relatively rich in magnesium. This mineral is important because it promotes healthy neurological and cardiovascular systems.

Folic acid and iron

Bread contains folic acid and iron, which both promote healthy blood. Folic acid promotes the formation of healthy blood cells, while iron acts as a building block for hemoglobin and red blood cells. Together, they promote a normal oxygen supply. Plus, iron plays a vital role in the body’s immune response.

Read Also: Best Cages For Hamsters – Safe & Vet-Approved Choices in 2022

As mentioned, the cons of feeding your hamster bread can quickly and easily outweigh the pros. Let’s have a look at the potential health risks.

Tummy troubles

As with any other food that is not part of the natural diet, tummy troubles can occur. This is particularly true if the bread contains yeast that can start fermenting in the tummy and release alcohol. The fermentation processes can trigger bloating and diarrhea.

In both cases, the hamster’s life can be at risk, and you should contact a vet for advice if you notice signs of either.

Pouch cuts and infections

We all know that hamsters are tiny but greedy creatures. Even if they are not hungry at the moment, they will take what they are offered and stuff it into their cheek pouches.

In these terms, bread can be risky because of two reasons. If the bread crust is too sharp, it can injure the pouch, and when the hamster tries to push the shard away, it can worsen the injury.

Another problem can be the bread’s sticky texture. Namely, a small piece of bread can get stuck in the pouch, and over time, if it starts molding, it can lead to infections. Dealing with cheek pouch infections is challenging and always warrants a trip to the vet’s office.

Choking hazard

Instead of ending up in the pouch, the crust or fluffy and stick bread piece may accidentally end up in the windpipe and cause choking.

The concept is once again the same – the bread’s texture is too sticky. Pasta can be dangerous for the same reason. To minimize the choking risk, always serve your hamster a tiny piece of bread.

Empty carbs and calories 

Regular white bread is made of processed grains. During processing, the grains’ shells are removed, and we all know the shell holds almost all nutritional value. Once the shell is removed, the remaining grain part is gluten or carbs (up to 70%), which equals empty calories.

Hamsters do not need too many carbs in their diets

Hamsters do not need too many carbs in their diets – they are hard to digest, can lead to weight gain issues, and are common tooth decay culprits.

To avoid feeding your hamster empty calories and excess carbs, offer whole grain bread alternatives as they contain the nutritionally valuable and healthy part of the grain – the shell.

Obesity and diabetes

Eating too many empty carbs leads to obesity. The effect is the same if eating moderated amounts but too frequently. Simply put, overeating bread can cause obesity in pet hamsters and increases the risk of diabetes.

Pet hamsters are already prone to weight gaining issues as they lack adequate exercise regimens. Overweight and obese hamsters are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems and suffering joint issues.

Finally, obesity and eating high-carb foods increase your hamster’s risk of developing diabetes – something hamsters are genetically prone to, and poor dietary choices only make things worse.

Gluten allergies

Gluten allergies in hamsters are not as common as they are in people. However, the risk is present and definitely worth mentioning. Because of their small and fragile bodies, hamsters are susceptible, and even a moderate gluten allergy can quickly culminate into a severe health issue.

Can bread be served to hamsters as a regular treat or weekly snack? No, bread is a rare treat, not something you need to serve on a more regular basis.

The general rule of thumb is that bread is safe for hamsters but neither as a regular snack nor as a weekly treat.

The general rule of thumb is that bread is safe for hamsters but neither as a regular snack nor as a weekly treat. It is safe when offered on rare and special occasions and in tiny amounts.

Just read the following guidelines, and you will know how to safely implement this bakery good into your hamster’s regular diet.

What kind of bread can hamsters eat?

There are many different types of bread, and they are not equally suitable for hamsters.

The best bread option for hamsters is whole grain or whole wheat bread – something resembling the rustic European loaves of bread.

Regular white bread has no nutritional value, just dense carb content and frequently added sweeteners. French or toast square bread, hot dog buns, and hamburger buns are not suitable for the same reasons – made of white flour and added sugars.

Toasted bread can be safe if made of whole-grain bread and without added butter, spices, or seasonings.

Finally, plain crackers and breadcrumbs are safe for hamsters. Just make sure you choose crackers without added flavors or salt. Crackers and breadcrumbs are a safer alternative to regular bread as they are more easily digestible and contain higher fiber amounts.

Related: Best Treats For Your Hamster – Vet-Approved Guide

How much bread can hamsters eat?

The serving size is critical. In general, hamsters can eat between half and one inch-long bread piece. The general rule of thumb is that a hamster can eat a bread piece around the size of its head. This rule applies to all hamsters – Syrian, Robo, and Dwarf hamsters.

This serving size is safe for hamsters already familiar with bread. If introducing bread for the very first time, it is best advised to start small. Give your hamster a tiny less than half-inch long piece and wait for the outcome. If there are no signs of digestive upset – bloating or diarrhea, you can safely add bread to your hamster’s menu.

Bread can be a risky food even for adult hamsters, not to mention babies. Therefore, baby hamsters will have to refrain from enjoying bread at least until adulthood. With fragile creatures such as baby hamsters, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

How often can hamsters eat bread?

Given the opportunity, hamsters would happily nibble on bread every day of the week. However, this is not healthy. Even once per week is too much.

Bread should be kept as a rare and precious treat. You should limit the serving frequency of bread for hamsters to no more than once every ten days to two weeks. Or, that would be between 2 and 3 times a month.

Keep in mind that on the days you serve bread, the bread treat will not be the only thing on the menu. Your hamster will still need its pellets, worms, and fruit or veggie treats. All of these items add to the calorie intake. Therefore, you need to avoid giving other high-carb foods on the same day.

How to give your hamster bread? 

Luckily, bread is more than readily available – supermarkets, local stores, bakery shops. As mentioned, wholegrain bread is a better alternative, so choose high-quality whole grain bread, preferably one with lots of added seeds.

When it is serving time, cut a piece of the bread – preferably from the crust part of the bread. This is recommended since the crust is better suited for nibbling and less likely to stick into the pouch.

As mentioned, when considering the right bread type for your hamster, whole wheat grain is your best choice. And these are the nutrients you will find in one slice of whole wheat bread:

• 128 calories
• 8 g protein
• 5 g fat
• 6 g carbohydrates.

In terms of vitamins and minerals, this is what you can expect:

• 0.1 mg thiamine
• 0.8 mg niacin
• 0.1 mg riboflavin
• 22 mcg folic acid
• 2 mg phosphorus
• 0.3 mg manganese
• 0.8 mg iron
• 6 mcg selenium
• 0.1 mg copper

From this short fractioning of the bread’s nutritional value, we can see that as a bakery product, bread contains decent amounts of protein, vitamins from the B complex, and several essential minerals.

However, we can also see that bread is rich in carbs, and carbs are not a hamster-friendly nutrient group.

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So, bottom line, do hamsters like bread? Yes, most hamsters are looking forward to the opportunity to nibble on bread. But is bread safe for hamsters? When served as a rare treat and in considerably small amounts, yes, it can be safe. As for health benefits, bread does not contain many hamster-specific advantages.

Still, an occasional indulgence is not harmful. By following the mentioned feeding guidelines, your hamster gets to enjoy crunchy bread chunks without worrying about the potential risks that come with overeating.

Vet’s Comment

The bread’s nutritional value and health benefits that come with this baked good are a hot and widely debated topic, not just for hamsters but also for people.

Although there are not any specific and unique nutrients, we love to eat bread. The same applies to hamsters. If we overeat on bread, we will experience side effects. Once again, the same applies to hamsters.

However, if you follow the strict feeding guidelines and offer your hamster a tiny bread piece now and then, you can indulge its greedy appetite without worrying about the risks.

– Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM

NOTE: Advice provided within this article by FeedingMyPet.com is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Please discuss your pet’s specific dietary needs (based on his breed, weight, age, and health status) with a veterinarian.

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