Are you freaking out over accidentally feeding your hamster with rabbit pellets? If you raise both hamsters and rabbits at home, this can be an honest mistake. Or perhaps you’re looking to save money by sharing the rabbit’s food for both pets.

Either way, it is vital to know whether rabbit food is suitable for hamsters and what to do after accidentally feeding it to your pet rodent.

Can hamsters eat rabbit food? Hamsters can eat some types of rabbit food without problems. However, not all rabbit food is suitable for hamsters and may lead to malnutrition, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Shall we take a deeper dive into the dietary needs of hamsters versus rabbits to determine the best way forward for these adorable little creatures?

Can Hamsters Eat Rabbit Food? Really?

We’ve established that hamsters can eat certain types of rabbit food without problems. Let us consider what typical diets look like for both hamsters and rabbits to get a good picture of the subject at hand.

What is a Typical Hamster Diet?

Hamster diets largely consist of grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. As omnivores, those in the wild also feed on a wide variety of insects as a source of protein.

Several brands of commercial hamster pellets available on the market are formulated from different portions of vital ingredients to ensure the hammy’s nutritional needs are met.

Additionally, fresh fruits and vegetables should be added to the mix regularly to promote rapid growth and excellent hamster health.

What is a Typical Rabbit Diet?

Rabbits are natural herbivores meaning their nutritional needs are completely satisfied by plant-based diets. They do not consume insects or rely on other animals as a source of protein.

Rabbits in the wild feed on a wide array of plants and herbs to survive. Hay derived from nutritious grass makes up the diet of rabbits in captivity. Experts recommend rabbit owners to avoid relying on grasses such as Lucern (alfalfa) and clover as a source of hay because of their excessive protein and calcium content.

Popular ingredients for rabbit hays include:

• Alfalfa
• Meadow Grass
• Paddock Grass
• Pasture Grass
• Oat Grass
• Timothy Grass
• Rye Grass
• Wheat Grass 

Fruits and vegetables are also popular components of rabbit feed. A few of the most common options include:

• Apples 
• Broccoli 
• Celery
• Kale 
• Carrots 

Commercial rabbit pellets can also be a good addition to ensure well-balanced diets.

What Rabbit Foods Are Safe For Hamsters?

It is time to reveal what specific rabbit foods are safe for hamsters. Since they come in a wide variety, we’ll take a look at specific examples under each food type.

Grass Hay

Hamsters can safely eat every type of grass hay rabbits enjoy. Hay does not only taste great for hamsters but serves as a reminder of their natural tendencies in the wild by teaching them valuable food foraging capabilities.

Grass hay is also rich in fiber and helps keep the hamster’s teeth growth in check by giving them something to chew. This prevents overgrown incisors which can cause injuries to cage mates, humans, and even themselves.

Hay made from Meadow, Timothy, and Oat grass works well for hamsters. Additionally, the pet rodents can safely consume lucerne due to the high quantity of protein which often comes in handy, especially among juveniles and hamsters with no fur.

Fruits 

Fruits can be a great addition to both hamster and rabbit diets as long as they’re offered in moderation. However, watermelons and other watery fruits should be avoided because they can increase hamsters need to ease themselves.

A few common fruits both hamsters and rabbits can enjoy include:

• Apples 
• Apricots 
• Berries 
• Bananas 
• Cherries 
• Kiwi 
• Pears 

Vegetables 

Hamsters enjoy virtually the same vegetables as rabbits. However, avoid overfeeding your pocket rodent with vegetables to prevent diarrhea and other side effects. Moderation is always the key, just like when it comes to fruits.

A few common veggies hamsters and rabbits can consume safely are:

• Bell peppers 
• Broccoli 
• Brussel sprouts
• Cabbages 
• Carrots 
• Celery 
• Cilantro 
• Dandelion 
• Spinach 
• Romaine Lettuce 

Potentially Harmful Rabbit Foods for Hamsters 

Hamsters can enjoy almost all rabbit food but there are a few exceptions. Here are a couple of rabbit-safe foods that should be kept away from your beloved pet rodents at all costs.

Watery and Citrus Fruits

Fruits with significant water content can be bad for hamsters. Hammies are known for their incessant pooping but unfortunately, watery fruits can lead to even more pooping. Citrus fruits should also be avoided when feeding these little guys due to the high acidity levels.

The following popular rabbit foods should be excluded from hamster diets.

• Citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruit)
• Apple peels and seeds
• Watermelons 

Vegetables 

Just like fruits, the majority of rabbit-compatible veggies are safe for hamsters. However, a few should be avoided because feeding them to your hammy can lead to negative results. Here are a couple of vegetables that should never be offered to hamsters even though they may be ok for rabbits.

• Eggplants 
• fresh Iceberg lettuce 
• Mushrooms 
• Potatoes 
• Rhubarb 

Can Hamsters Eat Rabbit Pellets?

Hamsters may be able to eat rabbit pellets without instant negative results. However, rabbit pellets contain ingredients formulated to suit the nutritional needs of rabbits and not hamsters.

Rabbits are herbivores that require plant-based diets to thrive while hamsters are omnivores with significantly different dietary needs.

Hamsters thrive on a mixture of plant-based nutrients and animal-based proteins to enhance growth and well-being. The right diet should contain up to 20 percent protein as well as specific fiber content to enhance digestion.

Feeding rabbit pellets to your hammy can lead to stunted growth, weight loss, lethargy, and malnutrition over the long run. In the short term, the exceedingly high fiber content typical in rabbit diets can result in diarrhea and even vomiting in your little guy.

Conclusion 

Hamsters can eat almost all the fruits and vegetable rabbits enjoy with the exception of a few. These foods can be a valuable addition to the pet rodent’s main diet of pellets formulated from grains, seeds, and nuts.

However, avoid feeding rabbit pellets to hamsters as the component nutrients fall short of the rodent’s nutritional requirements. Stick to hamster pellets for hamsters to ensure maximum growth and health.