Can Hamsters Eat Chocolate?
The simple and compressed answer to whether hamsters can eat chocolate or not is, no. No matter what type of chocolate it is or how nutritional it might be, you cannot feed a hamster chocolate. Chocolate is highly dangerous for hamsters because of the presence of chemical compounds such as caffeine and theobromine which have negative and very fatal effects on a hamster’s body. To elaborate further on why it is highly dangerous and why you should avoid feeding it to your pet, keep reading.
Why Chocolate Is Dangerous For Hamsters?
Now chocolate is such a fatal item for a hamster because of the ingredients used for its preparation. Chocolate contains 2 ingredients that act as a stimulant as well as an alkaloid.
Theobromine:
- Theobromine is an alkaloid compound derived from the cacao plant which is very well known to be the starting material of chocolate. Although it is hazardous for
- hamsters, it has good results for the human body. It reduces our blood pressure level and acts as a stimulant to help us concentrate and focus.
- Since our liver metabolizes theobromine quickly and efficiently, an excess amount of chocolate cannot harm us for long.
- However, a hamster’s liver is much smaller and a slow metabolizing organ, therefore even a small quantity of chocolate can be life-threatening for it.
Caffeine:
Compared to theobromine, caffeine, which is also present in chocolate, is less harmful to hamsters. In humans, caffeine only affects the central nervous system and helps us concentrate as well as energizes us. Although caffeine isn’t as deadly as other components of chocolate for hamsters, even a small amount of it can cause an increase in their heart rate causing stress. On top of that the ill effects of theobromine add to the fatality of choco
Effects Of Different Types of Chocolate On Hamsters:
As mentioned, all types of chocolate are dangerous for hamsters, but if your pet has consumed some, here’s the level of dangerousness of the type consumed.
Dark Chocolate:
It is by far the most toxic out of all types of chocolates. That is because it is 90% made of cacao, which increases the amount of theobromine dangerously.
- Gourmet dark chocolate contains 130-450 mg of theobromine, making it extremely threatening for hamsters.
- A serving size of 1 ounce (28 g) contains 20-60 milligrams of caffeine.
Milk Chocolate:
Additionally, is harmful to eat however, it isn’t as bad as dark chocolate.
Common milk chocolate contains only 44-58 mg/ounce of theobromine
A serving size of 1 ounce (28 g) contains 6-20 milligrams of caffeine.
White Chocolate:
It is by far the least dangerous type of chocolate to consume. It only consists of 10%-50%.
- White chocolate contains only 0.25mg/ounce of theobromine making it the least threatening chocolate.
- There is no caffeine in white chocolate!
Alternatives For Chocolate For Your Hamster?
Some snacks your hamsters can munch on while you’re enjoying your chocolate are:
| Food | Serving Size |
| Kale | One piece of leave, outer edge only. Size of hamster’s head. |
| Cabbage | 1 to 2 teaspoons.Roughly cut. |
| Broccoli | One teaspoon. |
| Spinach | Half to a full teaspoon. |
| Celery | ½ a teaspoon. |
Leafy vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that keep your furry friend healthy and happy. They’re a much better and safer substitute for chocolate.
However, a balanced diet with the right foods in the right proportion is also necessary for your pet’s well-being and health.
Symptoms
The following are symptoms to look out for it your hamster has eaten any sort of chocolate:
- Due to the presence of theobromine in chocolate, a hamster might experience theobromine poisoning if consumed. You may notice constant urination. And with the passage of time, there may be irregular heartbeats and seizures. The hamster might also be internally bleeding.
- Other symptoms include
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Change in appearance
- Change in behavior
- Lethargy
In the appearance of any or all of these symptoms, immediately rush your hamster to a veterinarian. If your hamster is lying on its side, take your pet to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
Conclusion:
As a final observation, it is clear that chocolate as a snack for your hamster is not the best idea. So, no, hamsters cannot eat chocolate. If you still have any question regarding “Can Hamsters Eat Chocolate?, you can comment below
