Thinking about eating your pet hamster? Or found one in the wild that looks like your next meal? Either way, you may be wondering whether these delicate creatures can be a delicacy.
The use of these enchanting pocket rodents as meat is nothing new. It is practiced in a wide range of cultures ranging from Africa to Asia and some parts of Europe.
What do hamsters taste like? Hamster meat tastes close to chicken and rabbit but gamy and bitter in the mouth, just like other rodents. Their tough skin requires an hour of cooking to become tender. Hamsters in the wild may taste better due to their more extensive, natural, and balanced food sources.
If you’re considering raising pet hamsters for food, stop right here and have a rethink. Not only will you likely find the taste of hamster meat unimpressive, but you could also be messing with animal cruelty laws in your state.
Besides, hamster meat has no significant nutritional value. There are better alternative protein sources to target.
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What Do Hamsters Taste Like?
Hamster meat tastes like meat from guinea pigs and other rodents. It is gamy, usually lacks any real flavor, and can be bitter. If you’re hellbent on eating your pet hamster, you could be in for an uneventful meal that may leave you nauseous or sick in the stomach.
Sure, If you found yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with no food then you may have no choice but to eat a wild hamster or another rodent or mammal like a hedgehog to survive. However, raising hamsters with the intention of using them for meat does not only sound gross but is unethical and could even be criminal in many areas in North America.
Can You Eat a Hamster?
You can eat a hamster without any health repercussions as long as it is well-cooked to eliminate potential parasites such as bacteria. Many of us in North America have always regarded hamsters as lovely pets that need our protection.
The thought of killing, cooking, and consuming these domesticated little creatures seems gross for many, and for good reason.
However, hamster meat is not poisonous so cooking and eating it cannot be life-threatening. Many cultures around the world regard it as a delicacy. Hamster meat is used for soups, stews, barbecues, and other forms of food.
Rats, hedgehogs, gerbils, and guinea pigs are also widely eaten by different folks around the world. Many of these people live in deserts and other impoverished areas where access to meat can be scarce.
For instance, the Bedouin nomads in the Sahara Desert in Africa would rather trap hamsters and gerbils for meat instead of slaughtering larger animals such as sheep. Sheep, cattle, and goats are preferably used as currency for daily transactions.
Most state and federal laws in the United States do not allow domesticated animals to be killed for any reason. So imagine how much trouble killing and eating your hamster can land you in?
States such as California and Hawaii do not even allow residents to own pet hamsters, let alone kill and eat them.
Can The Human Stomach Digest Hamsters?
The human stomach can digest almost anything you consume, including hamster meat as long as it has no traces of toxins. If you’re thinking about eating hamster meat, digestion is the least of your problems. Hamster meat is regarded as unethical in many parts of the Western World.
Eating your pet hamster can also lead to serious legal problems that may get you incarcerated for a long period. Why would you risk your freedom by cruelly eating these beloved little rodents?
Do Any Countries Eat Hamsters?
While hamster meat consumption can get you into serious trouble in the US and Canada, many countries allow you to eat these little creatures without issues. Hamster meat is a national delicacy in countries such as:
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
- China
How Are Hamsters Consumed?
As you know by now, hamsters are consumed by folks in a variety of cultures around the world. In South America, these tiny rodents are typically roasted barbecue-style over an open fire and eaten with rice, potatoes, or both.
In China, hamsters are skinned before consumption and may be used for stews or soups depending on the specific region.
Do Hamsters Eat Themselves?
It is not uncommon for hamsters to cannibalize cage mates in certain situations such as fighting over territory or when resources are scarce.
Female hamsters sometimes eat their babies too. The majority of mother hamsters protect their litter from birth till they’re ready to be weaned off at 2-3 weeks old. However, there are a couple of instances when female hamsters eat their babies.
Hamsters who are lacking food may cannibalize their young ones to survive while excessive stress can also cause mothers to eat their babies.
The average hamster has 6 babies in one litter but the number can be significantly higher sometimes. Hamsters may eat their young ones when overwhelmed with the size of the litter as the thought of caring for such a large number of babies can be upsetting.
Walking to a new mother hamster’s cage and seeing a few of the babies disappear can be sad. But this crude behavior sometimes occurs in these otherwise lovely pets.
Conclusion
Hamster meat tastes close to chicken and rabbits, with a gamy and bitter aftertaste. It can be tough to cook and may require at least an hour in the cooker to soften up for consumption. A hamster’s body may feature tons of potentially deadly parasites so extensive cooking can come in handy.
Hamsters are a delicacy among several cultures in South America, Asia, and Africa and may be consumed in a variety of ways including barbecue-style and via soups. However, eating hamsters or any domesticated animal anywhere in the western world can get you on the wrong side of the law.
You could end up with a heavy fine or even extensive prison time. Hamster meat is also regarded as gross and unethical by many in the Western world. You’re better off banishing those terrible thoughts of eating your pet hamster.