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No, do not feed cat food to your hamster. Cats need a diet that is mostly meat, and cat food is far too rich in fat and animal protein for a hamster, which needs a mix of grains, seeds, vegetables and only a little protein. A piece of kibble your hamster finds by accident is not an emergency, but it should never be a treat or a stand-in for hamster food.
| Safe? | Not toxic, but not suitable |
| How much | None on purpose |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all: offer boiled egg or a cricket instead |
| Watch out for | Diarrhoea, weight gain, stuck cheek pouches with wet food |
Is cat food safe for hamsters?
It is not poisonous, but it is the wrong food. A vet-reviewed guide from The Vet Desk explains that cats are strict meat-eaters, so cat food is built around animal protein and fat. Hamsters are omnivores with a much smaller need for both, and extra fat can lead to digestive upsets, obesity, a fatty liver and diabetes. Dry kibble is also often sprayed with a fat coating to make it tasty.
The Vet Desk says one or two pieces of kibble a week will not hurt. We take the more careful line and say do not feed it at all, because better protein treats exist that are actually made for, or suit, hamsters.
What protein does a hamster need?
Only a little, and a good complete hamster food already provides it. Omlet and the PetMD vet team say pellets should cover all the protein a pet hamster needs. For an extra, the PDSA suggests the occasional mealworm or bit of boiled egg, and Woodgreen adds plain cooked chicken. Our hamster diet guide shows how this fits together.
Wet cat food, kitten food and cat treats
- Dry cat kibble: no. Too fatty, and hard and dense.
- Wet cat food (pouches and tins): no. As well as the fat, the RSPCA warns that wet food goes off quickly in a hamster cage, and Bunnyjackpot warns that wet, sticky foods can stick in cheek pouches.
- Kitten food: no. Even richer than adult cat food.
- Cat treats and milk: no. Omlet lists dairy among foods to avoid.
My hamster ate cat food. What now?
One or two pieces of dry kibble should be fine. Take away any more, check the cheek pouches and the stash, and give fresh water and their usual food. Watch for diarrhoea, a wet bottom, a swollen cheek, low energy or not eating over the next two days. Ring your vet the same day if you see any of these, and sooner if they ate a lot of wet food.
Keeping cat and hamster apart
If your hamster is getting into cat food, it may also be getting near the cat. Keep the hamster's cage in a room the cat cannot reach, and feed the cat away from it. Our hamster cage setup guide covers where to put the cage.
What to offer instead
For a protein treat, try one or two crickets or a fingernail-sized piece of plain boiled egg. Dog food has the same problems as cat food. See what can hamsters eat for the full list and our hamster care guide for the rest.
Cat food questions
Can I feed my hamster cat food if I run out of hamster food?
No. For a night or two, a hamster's own stash will usually tide them over, and plain safe foods such as a little broccoli, cucumber or a bit of boiled egg are much closer to what they need. Buy proper hamster food as soon as you can.
Is cat food good protein for hamsters?
No. It has protein, but far more fat and animal protein than a hamster's body is built for. The PDSA's suggestions of the occasional mealworm or boiled egg give a little protein without the fat, and a good complete hamster food covers the rest.
Can a hamster live on cat food?
No. Cat food is made for an animal that eats almost only meat. A hamster living on it would get too much fat and protein and not the fibre and grains it needs, which risks obesity, diabetes and digestive problems.
