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methods
1Avoiding Toxic Foods
2Removing Poisons from the Environment
3Treating a Poisoned Hamster
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Tips and Warnings
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Article Summary
Co-authored byDeanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
Last Updated: November 23, 2020Approved
Hamsters are small, cute rodents that are relatively easy to care for and make excellent pets. They are naturally curious and love to chew everything that they come into contact with. As a result, it is very important that you take extra precautions to ensure that they don't eat toxic foods and that their environment is safe and free of toxins. This is especially true if you let your hamster out of the cage for some exercise. If you do suspect that your hamster has been poisoned, take it to the vet immediately.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Avoiding Toxic Foods
1
Ask your vet about toxic foods. Hamsters typically eat a diet of pellet food combined with fresh fruits and vegetables. Although some fruits and vegetables are recommended for hamsters, others can be toxic. Ask your vet for an inclusive list of foods that are toxic to hamsters. For example, the following foods are common examples of toxins:[1]
- Tomato leaves
- Almonds
- Avocado
- Potatoes and potato chips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Chocolate
- Apple seeds
- Iceberg lettuce (if eaten in excess)
2
Wash fruits and vegetables. This will remove any toxic pesticides that may be sprayed on fruits and vegetables. Make sure that vegetables are cut into small pieces and washed before giving them to your hamster.[2]
3
Don't feed your hamster moldy food. Some people will give their hamster leftover vegetables and fruits. You should always make sure that the food you feed your hamster is fresh and not rotting. Mold can develop on fruits and vegetables over time and if ingested is toxic to hamsters.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Removing Poisons from the Environment
1
Watch your hamster closely when out of the cage. If you let your hamster out of their cage for exercise, it is very important that you keep them in a confined space. Hamsters are very tiny and can squeeze through small cracks or scurry under furniture. You need to monitor them closely and make sure that you remove all toxic substances from the environment.[3]
- For example, you can put your hamster in a hamster ball so that it can stay safe while getting exercise outside of the cage.
- You should also make sure wires are covered or removed and other pets are kept away from your hamster.
2
Don't smoke around your hamster. Tobacco and smoke is toxic to hamsters. Avoid smoking in the same room as your hamster and make sure that no cigarette butts are left near your hamster.[4]
3
Avoid using rat poisons in the home. Some people will place rat or mouse poisons (rodenticides) in their home to get rid of unwanted pests. This is extremely toxic to hamsters and can kill them if consumed.[5]
4
Ensure toxic household plants are removed. Certain plants can also be poisonous to your hamster. If you let your hamster out of the cage, make sure that all toxic plants are removed from the room. Some plants that are toxic to hamsters include:[6]
- Cacti
- Wisteria Yew
- Azaleas
- Clematis
- Chrysanthemums
- Ferns
- English Ivy
- Hydrangea
- Lilies
5
Keep medications and cleaners out of reach. Medications and household cleaners can also be poisonous to hamsters. These should be kept in closed cabinets out of reach of your hamster. Antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medication, and birth control pills are common medications that are toxic to hamsters.[7]
- Also, make sure that you rinse the hamster cage really well after you clean it to keep your hamster from coming in contact with poisonous chemicals.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Treating a Poisoned Hamster
1
Identify common symptoms of poisoning. Hamsters that have come into contact with a toxic or poisonous substance will likely experience difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, fatigue, collapse or coma-like symptoms. If you notice any of these signs, you need to take your hamster to a vet immediately.
2
Take the hamster to the vet immediately. If you suspect that your hamster has been poisoned, you should contact your vet immediately. Hamsters are very small and poisons can work through their systems very quickly.[8]
- For a fee, you can also call a helpline in order to get immediate guidance from a veterinary toxicologist. Consider calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
- Never choose to watch and wait for symptoms to develop if your hamster has come in contact with a toxic substance.
3
Take the toxic substance to the vet with you. You can help your vet diagnose and treat the poisoning if you know exactly what substance caused the reaction. For example, take the packaging, plant, or chemical substance with you to the vet. This way your vet can fully understand the poisonous substances that were ingested and it may aid in treatment.[9]
- If you don't know exactly what has poisoned your hamster, you can provide your vet with a list of possible toxic substances in or near your hamster's environment.
4
Follow the care instructions provided by the vet. Once your hamster has received medical attention, your vet may provide you with ongoing treatment or care instructions. Read through the instructions carefully to ensure that your hamster receives the care it needs.[10]
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Warnings
Never try to treat poisoning on your own without seeking medical attention.
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About this article
This article was co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA. Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University. This article has been viewed 10,052 times.
206 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: November 23, 2020
Views:10,052
Article SummaryX
Hamsters are great, easy-to-care-for pets, but you’ll want to take some precautions to prevent your hamster from getting poisoned. While fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of a hamster’s diet, there are certain foods that are toxic to hamsters. These include tomato leaves, almonds, avocado, potatoes, onion, garlic, chocolate, and apple seeds. When you feed your hamster produce, make sure to wash it well to remove any toxic pesticides that may have been sprayed onto it. Watch your hamster closely when it’s out of its cage, and don’t let it eat any household plants, which can also be toxic. If you think your hamster ate something it shouldn’t have, call your vet right away. To learn how to avoid toxic household chemicals, read more from our Veterinary co-author.
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