Is Lavender Toxic to Hamsters? [Detailed Guide]

Hamsters can eat many different things, and some plants are a part of their diet. When you see lavender, you could consider giving it to your hamster. But is lavender bad for Hamsters? Are they toxic to them?

No, lavender is not toxic to hamsters. Hamsters can eat lavender, which is good for their health, but they should only get a small amount at once. Hamsters can benefit from the many vitamins, minerals, free radical scavengers, and phytochemicals found in lavender. In addition, lavender has limonene, a phytochemical that stimulates the liver to produce more enzymes, which can help our four-legged pals.

In this post, we will discover how much lavender hamsters may consume, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of feeding this plant to our pets.

What Is Lavender?

Lavender is a blooming plant that is a member of the mint family. Its native habitat is Europe, but it is now cultivated all over the world. The lavender’s color is a lighter purple shade, and it includes nutrients that are beneficial to the health of both humans and hamsters.

It has a distinct scent and lovely look; therefore, it’s used for decor, cooking, and seasonings. In modern times, lavender is increasingly being utilized for various therapeutic applications, contributing to a rise in both its value and demand.

Why Is Lavender Such a Popular Herb?

The genus Lavandula refers to more than 45 different species belonging to the mint family.

The numerous varieties are often utilized as aesthetic and landscape plants, edible shoots, or planted economically for the extraction of lavender essential oil and for the production of quality honey. 

Can Hamsters Eat Lavender?

Well, technically, yes, they can hamsters eat lavender plants. The difficulty with lavender is that most hamsters do not like the smell of lavender or other pungent or spicy herbs. Hamsters also do not like the smell of plants like lantana, onions, or garlic due to their strong aroma.

In terms of its nutritional value, lavender contains vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, and iron, in addition to a variety of essential Phyto oxides, free radicals, and antioxidants. Limonene, a phytochemical, supports liver digesting enzyme production and may aid carcinogen elimination.

If your hamster like lavender, you should begin by giving it to them in very small amounts. For instance, you may scatter some lavender leaves, flowers, or shoots over their food to give taste, diversity, and texture. Hamsters may consume either dry or fresh leaves without risk.

Some hamsters may eat only the plant’s greens, while others may consume both the flower buds and greens. This preference may be due to the distinctive smell of the plant’s greens.

Will Hamsters Like to Eat Lavender?

Lavender is a delicious treat for hamsters, even if some of them won’t touch it, no matter how hard you try to encourage them. Because lavender has such a distinct and powerful aroma, your hamster could choose not to consume this plant because of it.

Don’t worry if your hamster won’t eat lavender; he’ll still like eating other herbs like parsley, sage, and basil, amongst others. If he doesn’t eat lavender, try offering him different types of herbs instead.

Is Lavender Oil Safe for Hamsters?

Hamsters should not be given lavender essential oil since it contains over one hundred different phytochemicals, most of which are tannins and caryophyllene. There is almost no chance that your hamster will like the smell. Also, there’s no real reason to give essential oil to your hamster.

Can Essential Oils Hurt Hamsters?

Hamsters have a high sense of smell; consequently, using essential oils around your hamsters can be harmful. In addition, utilizing essential oils around your hamsters may result in breathing difficulties and other respiratory problems.

Hamsters sometimes find a way to eat the essential oil, which can be fatal for them. Because of this, you should always keep a close check on your hamsters.

Can Hamsters Eat Dried Lavender?

Hamsters may safely consume tiny amounts of dried lavender. It’s possible that not all hamsters enjoy the strong aroma of dried lavender. Hamsters can benefit nutritionally from dried lavender just as much as they would from fresh lavender.

Can Hamsters Eat Lavender Leaves?

It’s okay to give your hamster a few lavender leaves every once in a while. They would benefit significantly from the vitamins and minerals included in lavender leaves. Individually, hamsters might be picky about smells, but this plant seems particularly offensive to them.

Can a Hamster Eat Lavender Flowers?

Hamsters are free to consume lavender flowers as they do not pose any threat to their health. Your hamster will benefit from the nutrients in lavender flowers, making them healthier and happier.

Hamsters’ neurological systems benefit from lavender flowers, too; after sniffing them, your pet will feel less anxious and have a more restful night’s sleep.

How Much Lavender Do Hamsters Consume?

The amount of lavender a hamster may consume varies by species. Large Syrian hamsters can always consume the most food, whereas little dwarf hamsters can consume the least.

How Much Lavender Can Robo-Hamsters Eat?

Since Robo-hamsters are only relatively smaller than Syrian hamsters, they can get by with a weekly dose of a teaspoon of lavender oil. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough to give them a health boost from the vitamins and minerals. If you give them a lot of lavender, it will have the reverse effect and make them sick.

How Much Lavender Can Syrian Hamsters Eat?

Since they are the largest and most robust kind, Syrian hamsters may consume an especially huge amount of lavender. If you want your Syrian hamster to be in tip-top shape, give it a tablespoon of lavender twice a week.

The nutrients in the lavender will be absorbed as effectively as possible without causing any harm to their health, and this dosage is just right for that.

How to Start Giving Lavender to a Hamster?

Since hamsters are naturally hesitant pets, their owner should encourage them to try the plant by offering it directly from their hand.

That way, the hamsters will be more open to trying the lavender, and you’ll have built up some mutual trust that will come in hand the next time he has to try something new to eat.

You should thoroughly clean the lavender before feeding it to the hamster to remove any chemicals or contaminants. If your hamster enjoys a taste of lavender, offer him more of it the next time you feed him. Don’t force him to if he shows no interest in eating the lavender.

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Benefits of Lavender for Hamsters

If hamsters eat a small amount of lavender, it will benefit their health. Some of them are as follows:

• Vitamin A is great for hamsters since it helps them see better. Hamsters have naturally weak eyesight; therefore, vitamin A is crucial.
• Calcium is a mineral that aids in hamsters’ bones and teeth growth and development. Hamsters need calcium. It is only possible for a shortage of calcium to induce their bones to become brittle if they break or fall.
• Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which damage healthy hamster cells. Antioxidants protect hamsters against cancer, slow their aging process, and lengthen their lives.
• Phytochemicals, contain an element known as limonene and, as a result of its effect, assist enhance the secretion of digestive enzymes in the liver. Toxic or carcinogenic compounds in the hamster’s body can be removed by the phytochemicals they contain.
• Iron enables hamsters to have healthier blood, which speeds up the healing of wounds and prevents anemia.
• Lavender’s constituents help promote healthy skin and hair in hamsters, which is one of the benefits of lavender.
• Anti-inflammatory properties, due to the presence of polysaccharides in lavender, make it easier for hamsters to deal with the frequent inflammations to which they are frequently subjected.
• In addition to these positive effects, lavender helps hamsters sleep better by calming their muscles.

Side Effects of Lavender for Hamsters

The key to optimum health for hamsters, as well as for people, is moderation. If hamsters consume an excessive amount of lavender, they may experience the following adverse effects:

Loss of appetite, weakness, low body temperature, sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, difficulty breathing, loss of weight, lethargy, dark urine, sunken eyes, and a swollen tongue are all symptoms of malnutrition.

What if Hamsters Overeat Lavender?

If hamsters overeat lavender, nothing bad will happen, but you shouldn’t do it again. Increasing the amount of water they consume will help them digest the food in their stomach faster.

Diarrhea and stomach discomfort may occur for 24 to 48 hours. If the problem doesn’t get better, you should get him to the vet so he can look at him and, if required, treat him.