Can Hamsters Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries are popular because they are delicious and healthy. Is this true for your small and furry hamster companion? Can hamsters consume strawberries, and if so, are strawberries beneficial to them? Let us investigate.
To address the first question succinctly, most hamsters may safely consume strawberries as a little addition to their usual diet. They’re not a good idea for certain hamsters, though.
Dwarf hamsters are predisposed to diabetes, hence meals high in sugar, such as strawberries, should indeed be ignored. Strawberries should never be provided to your hamster to replace the nourishment they get from their usual diet of pellets, hay, and veggies.
Pros of Strawberries
Strawberries are full of antioxidants and contain a lot of vitamin C. They can aid in the health of our hearts and lessen the consequences of inflammation. Vitamin C is required for normal eyesight and heart function, and it is also utilised to repair cells in the body.
Because hamsters might be lacking in vitamin C, include items high in this vitamin in their diet is a smart idea. Strawberries include fibre, which is crucial for keeping your hamster’s digestive tract healthy.
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They also comprise a lot of water, which keeps your hamster hydrated. Strawberries have a pleasant flavour that most hamsters enjoy. So, if your tiny hammy is picky, this reward will typically entice them to eat.
However, this sweetness is due to an increased sugar content, which brings us to the not-so-good aspects of strawberries.
Cons of Strawberries
Strawberries, like other fruits, have a high sugar content. This can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of certain diseases such as diabetes and fat deposits surrounding organs such as the liver.
If you feed your young hamster too many strawberries, he or she may develop stomach problems such as diarrhoea. Because some hamsters are sensitive to strawberries, you should closely monitor your hamster’s reaction the very first time you feed it.
How to Add Strawberries to Your Hamster’s Diet?
Begin by giving your hamster a little piece of strawberry, perhaps the size of a quarter of a teaspoon. Hamsters should consume no more than 1 teaspoon of mixed fruit twice a week.
Strawberries can contribute a little amount to this. Keep a keen watch on your hamster over the following 48 hours to ensure that they are not experiencing any unpleasant responses as a result of eating the strawberry. Things to keep an eye out for include:
• Diarrhea: If your hamster gets diarrhoea or loose stool after eating strawberries, don’t give them any more of the fruit. Diarrhea, if left untreated, can cause severe dehydration. If it hasn’t fixed itself inside 24-48 hours, you should contact your veterinarian for advice.
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• Lethargy: If your hamster appears to be less lively than usual after eating a strawberry for the first time, they may be having difficulty digesting it.
• Appetite loss: This is another sign that your hamster is having difficulty digesting the new diet, and they would not want to eat their regular meal in the meanwhile.
• Pica: This is characterised as an animal ingesting something that has no nutritional value. This could include their bedding, excrement, or anything else that isn’t food in their cage! Pica may signal that your hamster is attempting to ease their tummy, which may suggest that whether they ate earlier did not agree with them.
If any of these symptoms persist for more than two days, you should contact your veterinarian and make an appointment for a check-up. Strawberries must always be cleaned before giving to your hamster since many of them are pesticide-sprayed as they grow.
Organic strawberries are the greatest option because they are pesticide-free, but you should still give them a short washing. It is recommended to feed your hamster their normal pellets and veggies first, followed by a little quantity of fruit as a treat.
This also ensures that they aren’t filling up on fruit first and getting the most nourishment from their pellets.
What Fruits Can Hamsters Consume?
Because some hamsters enjoy fruit, you may want to give your hamster a tiny bit of it once or twice a week. This should be little more than a teaspoon-sized portion of tiny fruit pieces.
Strawberries can be combined with pears, apples, bananas, blueberries, peeled and de-seeded grapes, and melons. Hamsters enjoy storing part of their food for subsequent use, so always inspect your hamster’s cage carefully to ensure they haven’t hidden any bits of fruit that may get mouldy later.
What is The Maximum Number of Strawberries That a Hamster Can Consume?
The typical diet of pellets, veggies, and hay should provide 99 percent of your hamster’s daily nourishment. If your hamster prefers certain fruits, such as strawberries, you may give them these twice a week as a special treat.
Fruit shouldn’t be used to give nutritional advantages, and if your doctor suspects that your hamster is deficient in some way, it is far preferable to first re-balance the remainder of their diet.
Dried Strawberries are Safe for Hamsters to Consume?
Although it may appear obvious that if your hamster could eat fresh strawberries, they can also consume dried strawberries, it is best to avoid the dehydrated variety of this fruit.
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They’re significantly richer in sugar than fresh strawberries, and because it takes more dried strawberries to feel full, your hamster may wind up eating more than you meant. Any fruit snack that is heavy in sugar should be consumed in moderation.
Strawberry Consumption by Dwarf Hamsters is OK?
In a nutshell, no. Chinese Dwarf hamsters are significantly more likely than any other hamster breed to acquire diabetes. The level of sugar of strawberries might increase the likelihood that your Chinese dwarf hamster will develop this illness.
Campbell’s hamsters are another type of hamster that is predisposed to diabetes. You could decide it’s best not to give these small mice any sweet fruit goodies. If you’re unclear, your veterinarian can assist you in determining which type of hamster you have.
Fruit is normally safe to provide to Roborovski or Syrian hamsters since they have a lower risk of getting diabetic.
Take Away Message
Most hamsters will love a treat of sliced strawberry, but keep their quantities small and never give your hamster fruit almost double per week. Strawberries provide little nutritional value which your hamster cannot get from their usual diet.
Some hamster owners choose not to feed their hamsters any fruit. Check your hamster’s cage to make sure they haven’t stored any strawberry bits that may decay. You should consult your veterinarian before beginning to offer strawberries to your hamster.
They may want to know what kind of hamster you have, since some are considerably more likely to acquire diabetes than the others and therefore should not be fed sugary foods.
