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The Daily Insight

Is it OK for hamsters to eat cheese?

Author

Daniel Foster

Published Apr 08, 2026

Is it OK for hamsters to eat cheese?

Cheese should be perfectly safe for your hamster to eat. However, that doesn’t necessarily make it healthy for your hamster. Cheese is calorie-dense and high in fat, and since hamsters are prone to both obesity and diabetes, they should eat cheese sparingly.

Can I feed my hamster mozzarella cheese?

Yes, hamsters can eat cheese. Low-fat and low-salt cheeses like mild cheddar, cottage cheese, and mozzarella can be healthy treats full of calcium and protein. However, salty high-fat cheeses like parmesan should not be fed to hamsters.

Can baby hamsters have cheese?

Yes, hamsters can eat cheese. Cottage cheese, mild cheddar, mozzarella, and other low-salt cheeses are safe for your pet when limited to the recommended serving size. However, some cheeses should not be fed to your hamster, as they can be toxic.

Can hamster drink from a bowl?

You can place water in a bowl within the cage, too; some hamster advocates recommend having both a bottle and a bowl. Water bottles and bowls both need to be checked and refilled every day, even if they are not completely empty. If your hamster is not drinking you will need to take him to the veterinarian.

Is it okay for a hamster to eat cheese?

Since hamsters would consume animal protein out in the wild, they can, in fact, eat cheese. Cheese shouldn’t make up the bulk of their diet, but it is an acceptable treat. So feel free to give small bits of cheese as a snack, along with a complete commercial diet, and small portions of fruit and vegetables.

How often should I Feed my hamster cottage cheese?

Best of all, cottage cheese is loaded with protein, and the calcium in the food will help your hamster maintain good bone health. And, if your hamsters are nursing or pregnant, cottage cheese is an excellent food for them to eat once per week.

When do hamster pups start to eat solid food?

Around 3 weeks of age, you should see the hamster pups start to eat solid food. When you see this, gradually wean them off the formula. If you watch hamster pups carefully you’ll notice that they eat droppings from adult hamsters. This is normal and quite necessary.

What kind of food can a wild hamster eat?

A wild hamster’s diet is made of vegetables, roots, some nuts, insects and even small lizards when they can catch them. In other words, hamsters are omnivorous and need a varied diet to stay healthy. Owners of pet hamsters should rely on high-quality commercial hamster pellets to provide their pet with a balanced nutrition.