Most of the baby hamsters love fresh fruits to eat. There is nothing wrong with feeding your hamsters fruits like strawberries. However, though they might like almost all the fruits, all the fruits are not safe for them. If they take the fruit that is not suitable for them, they might get an upset stomach and diarrhea. In the worst-case scenario, some fruits can be toxic and deadly to them. So, you must be cautious about what fruits you offer to your hamsters to eat.
In this article, we are going to explore what fruit can hamsters eat and what fruits are not suitable for them and that’s why you should not feed them. At the end of the article, we will also include a FAQ section to answer some commonly asked questions. Let’s go ahead.
Good Fruits for Hamsters (Acceptable Fruits to Feed)
All the fruits available out there can be divided into two categories when it comes to hamsters’ food. Some are good for them and some are bad. Let’s now have a look at some of the good fruits for hamsters:
- Strawberry (not more than one)
- Stoneless peach (a small cut)
- Blueberry (just two pieces)
- Papaya (tiny proportion)
- Seedless apples
- Banana
- Lychee
- Melon
- Raspberries
- Mango
- Figs
- Honeydew
- Cherries
- Cranberries
- Cantaloupe
- Seedless grapes
- Pitless plums, etc.
Bad Fruits for Hamsters (Fruits You Should Not Feed)
Certain fruits are not good at all for your hamsters. Some of these fruits contain substances that are toxic and deadly for the hamsters. On top of that, some fruits cause problems in the digestive system of the hamsters and some might decay teeth. Here are a few of the fruits you should never let your hamsters eat:
- Oranges or any kinds of citrus fruits.
- Tangerines.
- Cherrystone.
- Apricot stone.
- Jam.
- Jelly.
- Almonds.
- Apple seeds.
- Pickles.
- Peach stones and leaves.
- Avocado.
- Pineapple.
- Grapefruits.
- Lemon.
- Watermelon.
- Any hard seeds, stones, and pits. Etc.
Things to Remember about Feeding Fruits to Hamsters
- Only buy those fruits that are appropriate for the hamsters. You should not buy the fruits that might be appropriate for the gerbil or guinea pig but not for the hamsters.
- Do not offer damp and molded fruits to your hamsters. Always keeps the fruits in a dry place.
- Keep your hamsters in a cage wide and big enough for them to breathe and live with space. A good hamster cage is helpful to feed fruits with care.
- Fruits are not compulsory for your hamsters to eat regularly. As a hamster eat only about half an ounce a day, you can go for commercial mixes of millet, oats, corn, seeds, and pellets from your nearest shop or online. However, serving fruits as treats occasionally will boost metabolism and health.
- Fruits are more liked by baby hamsters than the adult ones. You should just give a tiny bit of fruit after 3 or 4 days of break.
- Do not let your hamsters eat citrus fruits. As citrus fruits like oranges contain much acid, that might upset the stomach.
- Avoid serving watery fruits like watermelon to your hamsters. Watery fruits can cause diarrhea in the hamsters.
- When you are not safe about the safety of fruit, you should consult your vet to ask whether you should feed that fruit to your hamsters or not.
- Always feed washed fruits to your hamsters. Unwashed foods can contain many germs and can cause diarrhea and other diseases.
- Do not offer whole fruits like a full strawberry to hamsters. They cannot deal with a big chunk of fruits. So, offer chopped up fruits by cutting or slicing into small pieces so that your hamsters can eat easily.
- While the hamsters’ mix available in the pet stores might seem to be enough, fruits will add more vitamins and minerals to keep your hamsters healthy.
- You should give hamsters fruits gradually to make them used to fruits. For example, you can offer fruits once a week at first and then twice a week.
- If hamsters get diarrhea eating any fruits, you should stop feeding fruits and vegetables and feed only hamsters mix until they get recovered.
- If your hamsters are prone to diabetes, do not offer them sweet fruits regularly.
Faq
Can I Feed Apples to Hamsters?
Ans: Yes, hamsters love to eat apples. However, make sure that you have taken off all the apple-seeds before serving those to your hamsters. All seeds including that of apples should be avoided by all means.
Do Hamsters Love Bananas?
Ans: Yes, they do. You can offer a small cut of banana twice a week. Do not offer much of it if your hamsters are prone to diabetes.
Can Hamsters Eat Strawberries?
Ans: Yes, they can eat strawberries.
Can I Feed Watermelon to Hamsters?
Ans: As watermelon contains a high level of water, it may cause diarrhea to your hamsters. So, we suggest you avoid watermelon in the hamsters’ fruits list.
Should I Give Peanuts to Hamsters?
Ans: A small portion of the peanut is fine. However, many peanuts can cause a problem.
Do Hamsters Like Oranges?
Ans: No matter whether hamsters like oranges or not, you should not feed oranges or any kind of citrus fruits like lemons to hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Pineapple?
Ans: We discourage you to offer pineapples to the hamsters. Its acidic substance is not good for the hamsters. If you offer pineapple to hamsters, they might react badly to it.
Do Hamsters Eat Raisins?
Ans: Most of the hamsters like dried fruits like raisins. However, due to its excess sweetness, you should limit the intake of raisins in your hamsters.
Can I Give Avocado to Hamsters?
Ans: You should avoid avocado as it’s really a hard object to deal with for your hamsters.
Do Hamsters Eat Almond?
Ans: Almond and any kind of hard seeds should not be offered to hamsters.
What to Do If My Hamsters Have Diarrhea or Upset Stomach?
Ans: Stop giving them any fruits or vegetables. Consult with your vet as soon as possible.
Where Should I Preserve the Fruits for Hamsters?
Ans: Always keep fruits in a cool but dry place. If you keep fruits in a wet or damp place, the fruits might get mold in it and can become harmful for your hamsters.
Is Feeding Fruits to Hamsters Compulsory?
Ans: No, it is not. Fruits are just for a change of taste. Even if you do not give fruits to your hamsters, they can still survive will other foods such as veggies and commercial pellets.
Conclusion
Fruits are not the staple food for the hamsters. You should not offer those daily to your hamsters. It is good if you offer them occasionally just for a bit of change in the routine.
We hope that you now know what fruits can hamsters eat and what fruits hamsters cannot or should not eat. Follow our guidelines to keep your hamsters strong and healthy.
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