Can Hamsters Eat Alfalfa? (7 Interesting Facts)

One question that people who keep hamsters as pets tend to have is on whether or not to feed the hamsters on alfalfa. This article answers that question.

Can hamsters eat alfalfa? Yes, hamsters can eat alfalfa. Alfalfa is a good source of calcium and fiber, among other nutrients. Chewing on alfalfa also helps hamsters, to some extent, in keeping their teeth from overgrowing.

While other pets like rabbits absolutely need alfalfa and other forms of hay for survival, hamsters don’t critically need it to that extent. But it can be good for them nonetheless.

Is Alfalfa Safe For Hamsters?

Yes, alfalfa is safe for hamsters.

Hamsters have been eating alfalfa since time immemorial, all the while with no major apparent harm. Therefore alfalfa is safe for hamsters.

There are those who may have concerns about the high level of calcium in alfalfa. But the good thing with hamsters is that they don’t eat too much hay, even when it is offered to them.

Therefore the high level of calcium in alfalfa is not too much of a problem with regard to hamsters.

Ultimately, any research on what hay can hamsters eat tends to reveal that alfalfa is one of the best. Therefore alfalfa is alright for hamsters, by all accounts.

Is Alfalfa Beneficial For Hamsters?

Alfalfa is quite beneficial for hamsters. There are at least 3 specific ways in which alfalfa benefits hamsters.

For starters, alfalfa provides hamsters with lots of fiber/roughage, as well as minerals like calcium. These help the hamsters’ overall health greatly.

Secondly, chewing on alfalfa helps (to some extent) in filing the hamsters’ teeth: keeping them from overgrowing.

Thirdly, eating alfalfa helps in awakening the hamsters’ foraging instincts, hence giving them the stimulation they need.

Can Hamsters Eat Alfalfa?

A hamster is capable of eating alfalfa. Once alfalfa is presented to a hamster, the hamster usually wastes no time in starting to forage on it.

To be sure, there are some hamsters that may just chew the alfalfa, then refuse to swallow. But alfalfa is something that the typical hamster usually has good ability to eat.

And as explained earlier, not only is alfalfa safe for hamsters, but it also has several significant benefits to them.

Which Hamsters Can Eat Alfalfa?

So far, we have said that hamsters can eat alfalfa. But there are those who may want more specificity. So they seek to know which hamsters in particular can eat alfalfa.

Indeed, can all hamsters eat alfalfa? Or is it just certain hamsters that can eat alfalfa? Let’s find out.

Can Baby Hamsters Eat Alfalfa?

Yes, baby hamsters may eat alfalfa.

The high level of calcium that is in alfalfa is particularly good for baby hamsters. They need it for proper development of their bones and teeth.

Of course, given their small sizes, baby hamsters may only be able to eat very little of the alfalfa. But it is nonetheless good for them.

Can Adult Hamsters Eat Alfalfa?

Adult hamsters may eat alfalfa.

The fiber and calcium in alfalfa is always good for hamsters. And chewing on tough foods like alfalfa keeps adult hamsters’ teeth from overgrowing.

Adult expectant and lactating hamsters stand to particularly gain much in terms of benefit from alfalfa. That is because alfalfa has lots of calcium, which they need for the formation of their babies’ bones and teeth’.

Can Syrian Hamsters Eat Alfalfa?

Yes, alfalfa is a good food for Syrian hamsters.

The teeth of Syrian hamsters, just like all other hamsters, are ever growing. Chewing on alfalfa helps keep them trim.

The roughage/fiber in alfalfa is good for Syrian hamsters, as is the calcium in it.

Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Alfalfa?

Many keepers of hamster pets specifically have dwarf hamsters. So, can dwarf hamsters eat alfalfa hay? And can dwarf hamsters eat alfalfa sprouts as well?

The answer is ‘yes’, dwarf hamsters can eat alfalfa in all its forms.

Most dwarf hamsters that are offered alfalfa to eat will show great enjoyment in it. And alfalfa is nutritionally good for the dwarf hamsters.

Therefore if you own a dwarf hamster, there is no harm in providing it with alfalfa regularly.

Can Robo Hamsters Eat Alfalfa?

Robo hamsters may eat alfalfa.

Alfalfa is a healthy food for Robo hamsters (just like all other hamsters): firstly because the high level of fiber in it keeps their digestive tracts working properly.

Nutrients like calcium, which are plentiful in alfalfa, are also helpful for Robo hamsters.

Which Forms Of Alfalfa Can Hamsters Eat?

Alfalfa can be procured in hay form, sprouts form or pellet form. What then arises as a question is which of these forms of alfalfa hamsters can eat.

Let us find out.

Can Hamsters Eat Alfalfa Hay?

Hamsters can eat alfalfa hay.

Eating alfalfa hay is particularly good for hamsters, as it is tough to chew (and can therefore help keep their teeth from overgrowing).

From a nutritional perspective, alfalfa hay is also useful to hamsters: as there is plenty of fiber and calcium in it.

Can Hamsters Eat Alfalfa Sprouts?

Most hamsters will show interest in eating alfalfa sprouts, when the same are presented to them as food. A few hamsters may shun the sprouts, but most eat them.

And the alfalfa sprouts do contain calcium and other good nutrients for hamsters.

Therefore if your hamster can eat alfalfa sprouts, they are good for it.

Can Hamsters Eat Alfalfa Pellets?

Hamsters can eat alfalfa pellets. In fact, the most commonly eaten form of alfalfa by pet hamsters seems to be the pellet form.

You just need to ensure that the pellets don’t have other components like corn and nuts that can harm hamsters.

How Often Can I Give My Hamster Alfalfa?

Having learnt that hamsters can eat alfalfa, the next logical question is on how often.

Indeed, how often can hamsters eat alfalfa? Alfalfa is one of those foods that hamsters can eat on a fairly regular basis. Even several weeks per week.

There are those who may argue that the high calcium level in alfalfa is of concern. If you belong to that school of thought, you can restrict to feeding your hamsters on alfalfa twice or thrice per week.

How Much Alfalfa Can Hamsters Eat?

Since hamsters are not particularly big animals, they shouldn’t be expected to eat lots of alfalfa.

Usually a pinch (like one teaspoonful) of alfalfa tends to be adequate for a hamster. This may look too minute, but when you remember the hamster’s size relative to yours, you see just how much a teaspoonful of alfalfa food is.

Therefore with regard to how much alfalfa is too much for hamsters, anything beyond a teaspoonful may be it.

Thankfully, hamsters don’t tend to eat too much hay, even when they have access to it. Therefore it is highly unlikely that you would encounter anyone seeking to know how to care for hamster that overfed on alfalfa.

All in all though, one teaspoonful of alfalfa or so tends to be good for a hamster in a day.

Final Verdict – Can Hamsters Eat Alfalfa

Hamsters can eat alfalfa. Alfalfa is safe for hamsters to eat. The alfalfa also has lots of fiber/roughage, which helps streamline hamsters’ digestive systems. Nutrients like calcium that are plentiful in alfalfa are also good for hamsters.

Chewing on alfalfa hay helps prevent hamster teeth from becoming too long. This is important, because all hamsters have ever-growing teeth.

Alfalfa is also the sort of hay that hamsters would be foraging in the wild. Therefore when a hamster is presented with alfalfa, its foraging instinct is awakened, thus stimulating and generally making it happy.

Baby hamsters, expectant and lactating hamsters are the ones that stand to benefit especially in a big way from alfalfa. That is because alfalfa is one of the best sources of calcium for them, and they happen to need extra calcium.

You can feed your hamster on a pinch (or roughly one teaspoonful) of alfalfa per day – and that should be enough for the hamster.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet hamster a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️