Updated
Small mammal food safety
Can Small Mammals Drink Alcohol?
Unsafe
No. Alcohol is unsafe for small mammals. If any was licked, swallowed, spilled onto bedding or fur, or mixed into food, remove access and call an exotic-pet veterinarian or poison hotline.
AlcoholCall before guessing
If any small mammal may have licked, swallowed, inhaled, or contacted alcohol, call an exotic-pet veterinarian or poison hotline with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Guinea pigs
Call if exposed
Do not feed alcohol to guinea pigs. If alcohol was licked, swallowed, inhaled, spilled on fur or bedding, or mixed into food, remove access and call with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Syrian and dwarf hamsters
Call if exposed
Do not feed alcohol to Syrian and dwarf hamsters. If alcohol was licked, swallowed, inhaled, spilled on fur or bedding, or mixed into food, remove access and call with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Rats
Call if exposed
Do not feed alcohol to rats. If alcohol was licked, swallowed, inhaled, spilled on fur or bedding, or mixed into food, remove access and call with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Mice
Call if exposed
Do not feed alcohol to mice. If alcohol was licked, swallowed, inhaled, spilled on fur or bedding, or mixed into food, remove access and call with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Gerbils
Call if exposed
Do not feed alcohol to gerbils. If alcohol was licked, swallowed, inhaled, spilled on fur or bedding, or mixed into food, remove access and call with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Chinchillas
Call if exposed
Do not feed alcohol to chinchillas. If alcohol was licked, swallowed, inhaled, spilled on fur or bedding, or mixed into food, remove access and call with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Ferrets
Call if exposed
Do not feed alcohol to ferrets. If alcohol was licked, swallowed, inhaled, spilled on fur or bedding, or mixed into food, remove access and call with the species, weight, alcohol type, strength if known, amount, time, and symptoms.
Act on exposure
Alcohol is not just a bad treat. A lick, spill, soaked bedding, or alcohol-soaked food can matter because small animals have little margin for guessing.
Have the facts ready
The alcohol type, strength, amount missing, time, species, weight, and symptoms help the veterinarian or poison hotline judge the next step.
If exposure happened
- Remove alcoholic drinks, cups, spills, soaked bedding, contaminated food, sticky residue, and any access to the bottle or glass.
- Keep the animal contained and calm while you call an exotic-pet veterinarian or poison hotline.
- Save the bottle, label, recipe, or ingredient list and note the amount missing and time.
Avoid
- Beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, liqueurs, fermented drinks, alcohol-soaked desserts, alcohol spills, and food or bedding contaminated by alcohol.
- Waiting for dramatic symptoms after a tiny animal licked alcohol.
- Trying home treatment, forced water, or extra food before speaking with a professional.
Helpful food-safety supplies
Optional tools for measuring, storing, serving, and cleaning up small portions safely.
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