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Yes, hamsters can eat some nuts, but only as a rare treat. Give one small piece of a plain, unsalted nut such as walnut, hazelnut or pistachio, no more than once a week. Nuts are very high in fat, so a whole nut is a big meal for a hamster. Never give salted, roasted, honey-coated or chocolate nuts, and skip almonds.
| Safe? | Some, as a rare treat |
| How much | One small piece, about the size of your hamster's ear |
| How often | Once a week at most |
| Best served | Plain, raw, unsalted, shelled and broken small |
| Watch out for | Weight gain, salt and flavourings, almonds, hoarding |
Are nuts safe for hamsters?
Most plain nuts are safe in tiny amounts, but sources differ on whether to give them at all. The PDSA lists nuts as an occasional treat, and Wood Green suggests plain, unsalted walnut or hazelnut now and then. Burgess, a vet-led food maker, says to avoid nuts because they are very high in fat and hamsters do not eat them in the wild.
We sit in the middle. A crumb of plain nut once a week does no harm to a healthy hamster at a good weight, and it is a fun thing to forage for. But nuts are never needed, and for an overweight hamster we would leave them out.
Which nuts can hamsters eat?
| Nut | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut | Rare treat | Shelled, broken small |
| Hazelnut | Rare treat | Plain, unsalted; see our hazelnut page |
| Pistachio | Rare treat | Unsalted only, shell off |
| Peanut | Rare treat | One plain nut a week at most |
| Cashew, pecan | Very rare | Extra high in fat |
| Macadamia | We skip it | Very high in fat and poisonous to dogs; no reason to risk it |
| Almond | No | Bitter almonds carry cyanide-forming compounds |
| Acorn | No | Omlet lists acorns as a food to avoid |
The Vet Desk, a vet-reviewed guide, lists walnut, hazelnut, pistachio, peanut, cashew, pecan and macadamia as safe in small amounts. It notes macadamia poisoning is only documented in dogs, but with plenty of other choices we take the careful side and skip it. PetMD and Jollyes both put almonds on their do-not-feed lists, because bitter almonds can release cyanide. Sweet almonds are much lower in it, but you cannot tell them apart in a bag, so we skip almonds altogether.
How many nuts can a hamster have?
One small piece once a week, as The Vet Desk suggests. Wood Green sizes treats at about the size of your hamster's ear. For a Syrian that might be a quarter of a walnut half. For a dwarf, a crumb. Pistachios show why: about 5 g (a teaspoon) holds slightly more calories than an average Syrian needs in a whole day.
Salted, roasted and flavoured nuts
Never give salted, dry-roasted, honey-roasted, chilli, chocolate or yoghurt-coated nuts, or nut mixes with raisins. Salt and flavourings upset a hamster's stomach, and Bunnyjackpot advises against treats with added honey. If your hamster has eaten a salty nut, offer fresh water and watch for diarrhoea or low energy; ring your vet if either appears.
How to serve nuts
- Buy plain. Raw or plain, unsalted nuts only. Check the label for added oil and salt.
- Take off the shell. The Vet Desk advises shelling pistachios and walnuts. Some hamsters enjoy cracking a lightly opened shell, but pick up the pieces after.
- Break it small. One ear-sized piece. Scatter it in the bedding so your hamster forages for it.
What to offer instead
For a healthier crunch, try a pumpkin seed, which Burgess suggests as an occasional treat, or a little broccoli. Read more on hazelnuts, pistachios and peanuts, see what can hamsters eat and our hamster diet guide, or go to our hamster care guide.
Nut questions
Can hamsters eat almonds?
We would not give them. Bitter almonds contain compounds that release cyanide, and PetMD and Jollyes both list almonds as foods to avoid. Shop-bought sweet almonds carry much less, but it is not worth the risk when walnut or hazelnut does the same job.
Can dwarf hamsters eat nuts?
Only a crumb, rarely. Nuts are not sugary, so they are less of a diabetes worry than fruit, but they are very high in fat and dwarfs are small. A piece the size of a sunflower seed once a week is plenty, and skip nuts entirely for a dwarf that is overweight.
Can hamsters eat nuts in their shells?
Some can, and cracking a shell is good enrichment. Bunnyjackpot says some hamsters need the shell cracked a little first. The Vet Desk advises taking pistachio shells off. Either way, remove broken shell pieces so they do not get stuck in cheek pouches.
Why does my hamster mix have nuts in it?
Many muesli-style mixes add nuts and seeds to tempt hamsters. The PDSA warns that hamsters fed muesli-style mixes tend to pick out their favourite bits and leave the rest. If your hamster leaves the plain pellets, a uniform pellet food or a better-balanced mix is a good swap.
