Hamsters and their love for food are inseparable.
Do you remember the childhood cartoons where we would see hamsters chomping on fruits with their cute teeth?
Their eyes glitter at the very sight of fruits.
But can your hamster eat oranges too?
Hamster owners often ask this question.
Unfortunately, your hammy can’t eat everything that we can.
Not all foods are good for your cutie.
Tune on till the end to know more about your cute pet’s food preferences.
Can I feed oranges to my hammy?
Why not?
Your hamster can’t eat oranges as the fruit is very acidic. Orange is a citrus fruit.
Such fruits can cause stomach issues and even diarrhea in hamsters.
Avoid feeding it highly acidic foods and keep your hammy in sound health.
You can feed it the other variants of fruits that have low acid content.
And if you ask me- Can hamsters eat orange peels? The answer will be- an unfortunate ‘no’.
Are tiny pieces of Tangerines good for my hamster?
Tangerine also falls under the class of highly acidic citrus fruits.
Even a tiny piece of tangerine can adversely affect your hammy.
Try to strike a balance in your hammy’s diet. You can feed it food mix and other fresh pet foods.
These are easily available in any pet store.
Is every food that is good for me, good for my hammy too?
Always remember, your hammy can’t munch on everything that you eat.
Some foods are good for you but equally bad for hamsters. Take oranges, for example.
Orange is a very popular fruit. The juicy ball of delight- that’s what I call it. It is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, fiber, copper, potassium, and calcium.
With such amazing nutritional richness, it makes a very healthy snack for you.
Oranges can boost your energy level. They strengthen your immunity system. The fruit is wonderful for your skin too.
But, orange is not a good option for your hammy. It can have severe health issues from the fruit.
So, orange for your hammy is a strict no-no.
Which foods should I keep in my hammy’s diet?
The crunchy pellets are the healthiest food for your hammy. You can collect them from any nearby pet store. It is highly nutritious and energizing.
Feel free to give it the following fresh foods twice or thrice a week:
- Mango
- Blueberries
- Green beans
- Strawberries
- Lettuce
- Squash
- Apple
- Cherries
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Banana
- Bean sprouts
- Melon
The above list also answers the question- which fruits can hamsters eat?
Every time you introduce a new item to your hammy, be patient. Carefully observe if your pet likes the food or not. Gradually acquaint it with the new food.
Remember, haste makes waste!
Which foods aren’t good for my hamster?
Some foods aren’t good for your hammy. Try to avoid them as far as possible. Here I have enlisted some of them for your convenience
- Highly acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges
- Chocolaty foods
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Almonds
- Onions
- Red beans
- Rhubarb
- Sweets
- Iceberg lettuce
- Pickles
- Cabbage in large amounts
These foods can cause diarrhea and dehydration to your pet.
Why should I keep my hammy hydrated?
Do you know that dehydration is as bad for hamsters as for us? It is very important to keep your pet hydrated.
You should give it clean drinking water every day or once every couple of days.
Stagnant and contaminated water can pose threats to your pet’s health.
Make sure your hammy is drinking enough water regularly.
Dangerous Foods for Your Hammy
Now you know why oranges are bad, an in-depth look is essential for the foods out there that are viewed as unsafe for your hamster to eat.
You are wondering which foods you need to avoid giving to your voracious little furballs.
It loves the occasional treat, but some treats are harmful.
Hamsters are omnivores. They need to eat different kinds of foods to stay healthy.
Hamsters that live in the wild eat foods that they forage and catch like roots, vegetables, insects, and even small lizards.
A seasoned hamster owner relies on high-quality commercial hamster pellets to provide it with a nutritional and well-balanced diet.
Trying to broaden your hamster’s taste buds isn’t a bad idea. Introducing a variety of foods to your hamster is beneficial for your hamster’s general well-being.
As long as you make sure that your hamster is eating right and has a balanced diet (by feeding, eating commercial and hamster-specific food) giving it small treats is alright.
Here is a list of foods you should not let your hamster eat, under no circumstances (if by chance, you find yourself feeding it one, do it in extreme moderation).
*Unwashed Vegetables
It doesn’t matter what kind of vegetables, even the favorite ones your hamster likes to eat. If they’re not properly washed and clean, you should not give it.
There’s always a risk of pesticides getting inside your hamster’s body.
Salmonella and other bacterial strains can also get through via unwashed vegetables.
Like yourself, that doesn’t eat dirty food is the same as your hamster.
*Raw and Bitter Almonds
Bitter almonds are deadly to your hamster. It contains glucose, cyanide, and emulsin (an enzyme that produces essential oils).
Cyanide is a poisonous salt of hydrocyanic acid, and bitter almonds have four times the amount of cyanide than sweet almonds.
If your hamster has too much cyanide in its system, it will die.
*Processed Sugars
Some of your hamster’s favorite veggie or fruit treat has natural-occurring sugars in them like apples, bananas, and skinless sweet potatoes.
Those are okay to feed your hamster, but it is the processed sugary foods that are a cause for concern.
It will cause your hamster to gain weight and get rotten teeth.
Treats with natural sugar in them are the best options for your hamster.
*Beans and Potatoes
These kinds of starchy foods will give humans constipation, but the opposite happens to hamsters: diarrhea. If your hamster eats too much, it will cause dehydration.
Excessive dehydration can kill your hamster. If you notice that it is weak and slow, has sunken eyes, and has no appetite to eat, then it might be dehydrated.
If this happens, take it to your veterinarian immediately.
*Onions, Garlic, and Peppers
Onions and garlic are spicy vegetables. Onions contain N-propyl disulfide, a substance that can affect your hamster’s red blood cells.
Actual peppers have varying degrees of spiciness. Avoid giving them to your pet hamsters.
Sweet peppers or bell peppers, should be consumed in moderation. They are acidic vegetables and can upset your hamster’s delicate bodily makeup if eaten in large quantities. Be sure to take out the stalks and seeds.
*Peanuts
It contains a toxin called aflatoxin. It is present in small amounts in peanuts. However, the small amount is enough to cause death, so don’t feed it to your hamster.
*Fatty Meats
Meat isn’t a natural food for your hamster. There is a risk for obesity, liver, heart, and kidney disease.
*Tomatoes
Tomatoes are fruits (or vegetables) that can also cause damage to your hamster’s delicate health.
It is sweeter than most veggie treats, but it is acidic.
If your hamster eats too much of its pulpy red meat, it will get diarrhea.
However, feeding it small amounts is alright. A small amount means half of one teaspoon.
*Raw Rhubarb
Consuming raw rhubarb will give your hamster intestinal pain, uterine contractions, and diarrhea.
*Chocolate
Chocolate is bad for your hamster, especially dark chocolate.
It has theobromine. It is an alkaloid occurring in cacao plants, which can lead to circulatory issues in your hamster.
Same with tea plant leaves and kola nuts. Keep them away from your hamster.
*Junk Food and Chips
The processed ingredients, high salt, and sugar content can lead to dehydration, diarrhea, and upset stomach in your hamster.
These include candy, chips, cookies, cakes, or any other junk food. Your hamster will have a hard time digesting these foods.
What are some healthy activities and games for my pet hamster?
Just like us, our pets can also get bored at times. But how to keep your pet active? The answer is, playful physical activities can make your hammy cheerful.
They can help your pet to be stress-free.
You can put a cylinder or spinning wheel inside your hamster’s cage.
Let it play around with them. This way, your baby can do some exercise and be free from obesity.
Do you know that hamsters are afraid of noise? Noisy places can stress your pet.
So, choose a peaceful corner for your hammy.
Give it a balanced diet and adequate water to avoid a series of health issues.
Don’t overfeed your darling. Let it munch on healthy foods in moderation.
Avoid feeding it highly acidic foods like oranges. They can mess with your hammy’s health.
Remember, a healthy body and a healthy mind are the keys to your hammy’s wellbeing.
Your little buddy needs a lot of attention and love. The more you love it, the happier it will be.
After all, happiness is a way of life, be it for animals or humans.