Cheerios are a favorite snack for many of us so it is not surprising that you may want to know whether your beloved hamster can enjoy this tasty piece of goodness too. After all, these little guys deserve to enjoy the best things life has to offer right?

Can hamsters eat Cheerios? Hamsters can eat Plain Cheerios as an occasional treat but avoid making it a staple in their diet due to the high sugar and calorie content. Not only can excessive Cheerios expose hamsters to diabetes but they may also cause weight gain. Avoid offering Honey Nut or other flavored Cheerios to hamsters under any circumstances.

If your hamster has been enjoying the sugary snack more than he should in the past, it is time to make changes before things go south healthwise. The health repercussions for these little guys in the medium and long term can be extreme.

Can Hamsters Eat Cheerios? Here Are the Facts!

Cheerios are a popular snack among adults and kids thanks to the affordable price, great taste, and variety of flavorings available. We all know a family member or friend who eats Cheerios in some form every day.

However, the popular cereal is made for humans and not hamsters or other pets. Just because you can eat it daily does not mean that your hamster should do the same. These pet rodents have small bodies and even smaller internal organs that may suffer significant stress when forced to process high amounts of sugar, salts, and carbs.

We recommend feeding Cheerios or similar foods like granola bars to hamsters no more than 2-3 times per month. Anything more could put the pet rodent’s health at risk.

Plain Cheerios Nutritional Information

Here’s the nutritional information for a cup of Plain Cheerios (28g).

• Calories: 100 kJ
• Fat: 2 grams
• Carbs: 20 grams
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Sugar: 1 gram
• Protein: 3 grams
• Vitamin A: 10% of the DV
• Vitamin C: 10% of the DV
• Vitamin D: 10% of the DV
• Vitamin B12: 25% of the DV
• Calcium: 10% of the DV
• Iron: 45% of the DV
• Zinc: 25% of the DV

DV= Daily Value for humans. (Source)

It is clear from the nutritional value chart above that Plain Cheerios do not pack the right mix of nutrients for hamsters’ growth and well-being. It contains too much sugar and calories while lacking several essential nutrients required to stave off diseases and promote healthy growth.

While Cheerios may offer decent quantities of Iron, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D, these nutrients are added artificially during processing. This is in contrast to the natural-occurring nature of Vitamins and other essential nutrients in healthy snacks such as Green Apples and Blueberries.

Cheerios Ingredients

Cheerios are a popular brand of cereals enjoyed by people of all ages. It comes with a signature sweet taste and colorful designs that make them more enticing. The main ingredients in Original Cheerios are:

• Whole Grain Oats
• Corn Starch
• Sugar
• Salt
• Tripotassium Phosphate
• Vitamin E

(Source)

Health Risks From Overfeeding Cheerios to Hamsters

Hamsters often fall in love with eating Cheerios quickly due to the sweet taste but feeding it to them more than once a week can lead to several problems. Here are common health issues pet rodents can be exposed to when they’re allowed regular access to Cheerios.

Diabetes

Diabetes is probably the biggest health risk associated with feeding Cheerios to hamsters. The best-selling cereal’s high fructose and corn starch content may spike blood sugar levels when consumed. The hamster’s pancreas may fall short in producing enough insulin to metabolize the excess sugars, leading to diabetes.

Hamsters of all breeds can be susceptible to diabetes which is why sugar-laden diets should not be entertained in the first place.

Obesity

If you intend to raise overweight hamsters that can barely move or play, a daily bowl of Cheerios may do the trick. This popular breakfast cereal’s ingredients contain relatively high amounts of calories.

While your hamster will probably not experience any changes in body weight when fed sparingly, regular quantities of Cheerios can result in significant weight gain. An unhealthy body weight exposes hamsters to certain cancers and heart disease limiting the quality and duration of their lives.

Addiction

Like other packaged breakfast foods, Cheerios can be addictive especially when fed to hamsters continuously. This may increase the rodent’s yearning for the popular cereal leading to a rejection of healthier alternatives such as packaged hamster pellets and even fruits.

The result is loss of appetite, stunted growth, and susceptibility to multiple infections. If you’ve been offering too much Cheerios than your hamster needs, it is time to nip the practice in the bud before it is too late.

Dental Problems

The high sugar content in Cheerios can lead to dental problems such as tooth decay in hamsters and other pocket rodents. Hamsters may try to pouch the cereal when offered in large quantities. Over time, the hoarded Cheerios can start showing signs of decay when more bacteria invade the little guy’s mouth.

Besides, hamsters are omnivores with incisors that require extensive chewing to keep in check. Making Cheerios a staple in their diets can lead to overgrown teeth that may cause additional dental problems for the little guy.

Sodium

Cheerios not only contain significant amounts of sugar but salt as well. Excessive quantities of sodium can cause a myriad of problems for hamsters such as dehydration. It can also put considerable strain on the pet rodent’s internal organs including kidneys and liver, causing bladder stones.

Signs of kidney stones include frequent and strained urination, bloody urine, loss of appetite, and polydipsia. Failure to treat the condition in a timely manner may lead to even more problems that can hurt the rodent’s ability to enjoy a normal life.

Processed Food

Hamsters thrive off a mixture of commercial diets made from grains, seeds, and nuts as well as healthy fruits and vegetables. These diets often provide nutrients such as carbs, folate, and proteins in addition to various naturally occurring vitamins.

However, the same cannot be said for processed foods such as Cheerios and other breakfast cereals. While their nutritional information shows the presence of several nutrients, they’re artificially added during the processing phase.

Thus, any nutrients in Cheerios may not pack as much punch as the naturally occurring ones in healthy foods. It can be a mirage to feed hamsters on this popular cereal under the notion that their nutritional requirements will be met.

Are Honey Nut Cheerios OK for Hamsters

Hamsters cannot eat Honey Nut Cheerios, a much sweeter variety of the plain Cheerios featuring honey and almond flavors.

It is the most popular cereal in the United States thanks to its amazing taste, colorful shapes, and sweet aroma. However, the myriad of artificial flavorings and additives can pose significant health problems for hamsters and other pets.

We recommend that you avoid offering Honey Nut Cheerios to hamsters for their own safety.

What Kind of Cereal Can Hamsters Eat?

Hamsters can eat plain cereals without problems as long as it is offered as an occasional treat. Feeding your pet rodent daily with any type of cereal can lead to malnutrition because there’s none on that market that can offer the right amount of nutrition required by hamsters.

Sure, your little guy’s hunger cravings may be satisfied by the cereal of choice but daily feeding often creates significant nutritional deficits that can cause diseases, stunt growth, and weaken immune systems. A few common brands of cereal hamsters can enjoy as an occasional treat include:

• Plain Cheerios
• Plain Rice crispies
• Plain Corn flakes

Avoid cereals that contain chocolate because it contains Theobromine, a poisonous substance that can turn fatal in hamsters.

Can Hamsters Have Multigrain Cheerios?

Hamsters can eat Multigrain Cheerios sparingly without problems. This variety comprises brown rice, corn, and whole grain oats. The sugar content is slightly less than other flavors including Frosted Cheerios, Chocolate Cheerios, and Honey Nut Cheerios.

While the grain components may seem healthy for humans, the opposite is the case for hamsters. Relying on this variety regularly to feed your little guy can lead to disastrous results. Always keep in mind that Cheerios and other packaged cereals are made for humans and not pets.

What Household Snacks Are Safe for Hamsters?

Several household snacks can be safely eaten by hamsters as long as they’re offered as treats and nothing more. Treats should be handed to hamsters occasionally to build stronger rapport and get them excited once in a while.

Whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and to a smaller extent, fruits form the best household snacks for hamsters. Since a majority of them contain sugar, moderation is key to preventing blowbacks for their health.

Protein sources such as eggs and lean meat can also be a great addition to hamster diets.

A few healthy household snacks hamsters can enjoy include:

• banana
• greek yogurt
• green apples
• yellow squash
• scrambled eggs
• cucumber
• kale
• strawberries
• pumpkin seeds
• sunflower seeds
• carrots
• green collards

Conclusion: Can Hamsters Eat Cheerios?

Hamsters can enjoy plain Cheerios in moderation as an occasional treat to improve appetite, release stress, and enhance their moods. Offering Cheerios as a daily meal or even a few times a week is not recommended for hamsters regardless of age, breed, or size.

Honey Nut Cheerios, Chocolate Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, and other varieties should be avoided entirely since they contain added sugar as well as additives and flavorings that can cause significant health problems for hamsters.