Can Hamsters Eat Lavender?

The short answer is yes, hamsters can eat lavender plants (greens and buds or flowers). They’re safe to hamsters along with other herbs like Basil, Sage, Parsley and Coriander.

The problem with lavender is that most hamsters aren’t keen on lavender and other spicy or pungent scented herbs as well as plants such as lantana, catmint, hyssop, milkweed, bee balm, chives, onions, leeks, and garlic because of their strong scent.

Nutritionally, lavender has vitamin A, calcium, iron, as well as many vital phytochemicals and antioxidants. Other benefits include phytochemical which is limonene, and known for its ability to support secretion of digestive enzymes in the liver and may help in carcinogen detoxification.

If your hamster happens to love lavender, start by keeping portions very small, for example, you could sprinkle some lavender greens or flower buds along with their vegetables to add flavor, variety, and texture. Both dried and fresh leaves are safe for hamsters.

Due to their distinct scent, some hamsters may prefer the plant’s greens over the flower buds, while others may eat both the plant greens and the flower buds.

Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe For Hamsters?

Lavender essential oil, which has over 100 phytochemicals with linalyl acetate, linalool, tannins, and caryophyllene, being the significant majority of constituents, isn’t ideal for hamsters. The chances that your hamster will like the scent is extremely low. Anyway, there’s no real reason to want to give your hamster essential oil.

Do Wild Hamsters Eat Lavender?

As already mentioned, lavender is one of the herbs that hamsters will tend to avoid. Therefore, if you have some lavender in your garden, it’s probably not worth picking it for your hamster.

Why Is Lavender A Popular Herb?

Lavandula, more commonly known as lavender is a genus name for over 47 flowering plant species in the family mint family. It’s native to parts of Europe, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, all through the Mediterranean, Northern and Eastern Africa, Southwest Asia to parts of South-eastern India.

The various species are typically used for ornamental and landscaping plants, culinary herbs and spices, or grown commercially for lavender essential oil extraction as well as for making premium honey.

Conclusion

As you try to offer your hamster a variety of foods (greens, herbs, fruits non-leafy veggies, etc.), don’t forget to stick to the right diet proportion even if they seem to like the new food you’re offering.