Does anyone know if coriander/cilantro seeds are safe for hamsters? Also where can I find the nutritional information for white lettuce seeds? The one I’m looking at is by Manitoba (a bird seed company). I tried Googling both seeds but the results only mention the plant.
If by white lettuce, they mean rattlesnake root. It's not actually a lettuce, it's a wild flower. It's only native to a small part of the Americas and I don't think any species of hamster would run into it naturally.
I don't know that I've ever seen it on a safe hamster seed list but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. You could experiment with it but I would not say that it was known to be safe. It is in the same family as dandelions, thistles, sunflowers, marigolds, chamomile, chicory which are safe but again that doesn't guarantee that it is safe. If you wanted to try it, you could give a very small amount and see if you notice any ill effects. Wait a week and give a slighter bigger portion. continue for a month. If you are able to safely give once a week, with no noticeable effects. It's likely safe to feed, in very small quantities or occasionally. Ideally, feeding a small amount once a week for a year, would tell you if it was in fact safe.
The downside to this is that the hamster will not be able to tell you he doesn't feel well, other than rejecting the food completely. So it is somewhat risky, in that sense. Typically speaking, its better to experiment on yourself before others but since humans and hamsters can tolerant different things, it's not going to tell you anything. People have basically had to do this in the past for use to come with a "safe" foods list.
If anyone else has fed it or read about someone feeding safely, that would be good to hear, but I haven't used them myself.
Re: Coriander seeds
I do think that some people have fed that leaves or the stems before safely but I've not really heard of anyone feeding the seeds regularly. I would avoid giving the seeds, personally. If someone has a different experience, I'd like to hear about it.
Does anyone know if coriander/cilantro seeds are safe for hamsters? Also where can I find the nutritional information for white lettuce seeds? The one I’m looking at is by Manitoba (a bird seed company). I tried Googling both seeds but the results only mention the plant.
Thank you in advance.
Hi! Yes coriander seeds are safe, and I have given them to hamsters before.
Eric's Mom
she/they
Hi! Thank you for answering my hamster questions
Yes coriander seeds are safe, and I have given them to hamsters before.
