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Yes, hamsters can eat cabbage in small amounts. Start with a raw piece about the size of your hamster's nail, wait a day, and if all is well build up to a piece about 2 cm (¾ in) square for a Syrian. Give it no more than twice a week. Too much cabbage can cause bloating and diarrhoea, so keep the portion small.
| Safe? | Yes, in small amounts |
| How much | Up to a 2 cm (¾ in) square of leaf for a Syrian, half for a dwarf |
| How often | No more than twice a week |
| Best served | Raw, washed, cut into small pieces |
| Watch out for | Bloating, soft droppings, coleslaw, sauerkraut |
Is cabbage safe for hamsters?
Yes. The PDSA, Woodgreen and Burgess all list cabbage as suitable for hamsters. The Vet Desk, whose hamster pages are reviewed by a vet, says a hamster's stomach can handle some cabbage, but that too much can be harmful. It notes that raw cabbage may help with dental wear and gives fibre, vitamin K and vitamin C.
The cautions come with quantity. The Vet Desk lists bloating, stomach ache and diarrhoea from too much fibre, a mild diuretic effect, and a high calcium content as reasons to keep it occasional. Cabbage is low in sugar, which is good news for dwarf hamsters, which the PDSA says are prone to diabetes.
How much cabbage can a hamster have?
The Vet Desk suggests starting with a piece about the size of your hamster's nail, waiting 24 hours, and then offering up to a small leaf if there has been no upset. It says not to give cabbage more than twice a week. "A small leaf" can be big next to a hamster, so we stop at a piece about 2 cm (¾ in) square for a Syrian and half that for a dwarf. The PDSA puts all fresh food at a teaspoon or two a day. See our hamster diet guide for a weekly rotation.
How to prepare cabbage
- Use an inner leaf. The outer leaves carry the most dirt and spray. Peel one or two off and use a clean leaf from inside.
- Wash it. Rinse under cold water and pat dry.
- Cut small. Cut out the thick white rib and cut the leaf into small pieces, which The Vet Desk says lowers the choking risk.
- Start tiny. Give a nail-sized piece first and check the droppings the next day.
- Clear up. Remove leftovers after a few hours and check the hoard.
Which kinds of cabbage are safe?
- Green, white, savoy and red cabbage: our sources do not separate them. They are the same vegetable, so the same small portion applies.
- Chinese leaf and pak choi: see our page on bok choy.
- Cooked cabbage: skip it. It usually comes with salt, butter or meat.
- Coleslaw, sauerkraut and pickled cabbage: no. Mayonnaise, salt and vinegar do not belong in a hamster.
- Brussels sprouts: the PDSA and Woodgreen list them as suitable, in the same small amounts.
Offer only one new vegetable at a time. If droppings go soft, you will know which food caused it.
Which hamsters should skip cabbage?
Skip it for any hamster with soft droppings, a wet bottom or a recent stomach upset. Young hamsters and new arrivals should be settled on their dry food first. If your vet has mentioned bladder stones or kidney trouble, ask before feeding cabbage, given its calcium.
What to offer instead
Other greens to rotate with cabbage are kale, broccoli, spinach and romaine lettuce. The full list is on what can hamsters eat, and our hamster care guide covers everything else.
Cabbage questions
Can dwarf hamsters eat cabbage?
Yes. Cabbage is low in sugar, so it suits diabetes-prone Campbell's and winter white dwarfs better than fruit. Our sources give no dwarf-specific amount, so we give a dwarf a piece about the size of your little fingernail, no more than twice a week.
Can hamsters eat red cabbage?
Our sources do not separate the kinds. Red, white, green and savoy cabbage are all the same vegetable, so we treat them the same: a small raw piece, washed, no more than twice a week. Pickled red cabbage is a different matter and is a no.
Can hamsters eat cooked cabbage?
Our sources describe raw cabbage. Cabbage cooked for people usually has salt, butter or bacon, so skip it. Never give coleslaw, sauerkraut or pickled red cabbage, which have dressing, salt or vinegar.
Why do some people say cabbage is bad for hamsters?
Because too much can cause problems. The Vet Desk warns that a lot of cabbage can cause bloating, stomach ache and diarrhoea, and that it is a mild diuretic. In small amounts the PDSA, Woodgreen and Burgess all list it as suitable.
