Hamsters are cute adorable animals which make ideal pets for the home. They don’t take up too much space in your room and they are great pets for your kids. Hamsters do not require a lot of maintenance. They are quite easy to have around and care for mainly due to their size. Different species come in different shapes and sizes. This includes the Dwarf Hamster, Chinese Hamster, Syrian Hamster, and a lot more.
Your pet hamster does not require a lot of food – again thanks to its size, but they do need a good selection of food to keep them healthy. Hamsters are fond of fruits, seeds, and vegetables, and they do well feeding on these. Ensuring a healthy balanced diet for your hamster is a must as it depends on these to thrive. So if you are still asking yourself ‘Can hamsters eat carrots?’, read on to discover all you need to know about your hamster’s diet.
Related Post: Best Hamster Food
Hamsters and Carrots
Hamsters most definitely can eat carrots since they already love fruits and vegetables. Carrots are sweet treats to have around and they offer your pet great satisfaction when eating – therefore they are highly likely to hoard some carrots to munch on later. That is why it is good to occasionally serve your hamster small portions of carrots at least twice a week as a supplement for their meals.
Many hamsters may love carrots but not all do though. You should take note of your hamster when it hoards but refuses to eat carrots, they may just not like it. Consider an alternative that would be a healthy choice for them when carrots are not the best.
Health Benefits of Carrots For Hamsters
Carrots are great for your hamsters. They are packed with many nutrients that are essential to keep your pet healthy and strong. Carrots have high levels of calcium and vitamins A and C. They contribute to keeping your hamster’s teeth firm and strong as well as giving them good vision and keeping their brains active.
- Vitamin A ensures your hamster grows in a healthy way. It protects your hamster’s eyesight and is a powerful antioxidant that protects against certain cancers.
- Vitamin C boosts your hamster’s immune system and wards off heart disease. It strengthens your hamster’s blood vessels and promotes healing and restoration throughout its entire body. Vitamin C in carrots also helps prevent scurvy and repairs body tissue faster for your hamster.
- The calcium in carrots is responsible for giving your hamster stronger teeth and bones. It maintains the tooth’s firm grip and keeps it nice and solid at all times.
One thing to note is that carrots contain a healthy amount of moisture and thus keeps your hamster hydrated. From this review we can see that carrots are absolutely healthy for your hamster as they ensure that your hamster gets the minerals needed to keep it active and mentally sound at all times. Now although carrots contain many health benefits for your hamster, eating it excessively can be dangerous for them as well.
Related Post: Water Bottle for Hamsters
Health Risks of Carrots For Hamsters
As mentioned, hamsters love carrots and would not shy away from nibbling on them. But be warned that a high carrot diet in your hamster posing health risks as follows:
- Diabetes – Hamsters are prone to diabetes. You should check the sugar intake of your hamster and regulate how much and how often your hamster consumes sweeter foods. Carrots contain an amount of 4.7 grams of sugar per 100g of carrot and should only be given to hamsters occasionally. Dr. Carol Osborne (Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center – Ohio) states that giving carrots in small quantities to your hamster is enough for them.
- Diarrhea and bladder stones – Very high levels of calcium, Vitamins A and C can cause diarrhea and bladder stones in your hamsters.
An Alternative Diet For Hamsters
So perhaps your hamster loves carrots, but you want to regulate the amount it takes? Or perhaps your hamster doesn’t even like carrots, but you still want a healthy option for it? Well, we’ve got some varieties of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds for you to choose from for your hamster. Always consult your vet if you are ever unsure of how much and how often you should feed these foods to your hamster.
- Grapes – Grapes are healthy for your hamster, but should also be taken in moderation just like with carrots due to its high sugar content.
- Cheese – Providing low-fat cheese to your adult hamster is also a great option you can consider.
- Pineapples – Pineapples are also another healthy choice for your hamster. They are sweet and juicy, containing a level of Vitamin C which is healthy for your hamster. Again portion control is crucial here.
- Walnuts – Hamsters love nuts, and walnuts will be good for them. They are healthy and would provide your hamster with just the right amount of nutrients they need.
Other fruits, vegetables and seeds that can be considered as well include:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Peaches
To Summarize
Hamsters generally love different types of fruits, vegetables, and seeds, and would be happy in their cages when provided with these. It is good to know that although they may love everything you give them hamsters can be quite picky. They may choose to eat certain fruits and seeds over others. It is good to become aware of your pet’s preferences and make the selection that they love best.
Feel free to give your hamster a variety of meals such as grapes, apples, cheese, raisins, spinach, carrots, pellets and a whole lot more. Crucially don’t forget to provide fresh water for your little pet to keep him well hydrated at all times. If you stick to these guidelines, your hamster will be receiving a well-balanced diet.
Carrots are a great way to go as they contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals that are good for your hamster. Nevertheless, it is always safe to give carrots in moderation to your hamster for the optimum health.
Providing a balanced diet for your hamster is essential. Never give it food in a thoughtless manner. Rather you should carefully make nutritionally balanced choices for your hamster. He will indeed be very grateful.
You May Also Like: Can Hamsters Eat Avocado? (Nutritional Guide)
Sources:
- Getting a Pet Hamster, WebMD
- Geoff Williams, What Can Hamsters Eat? Carrots, Grapes, Tomatoes, and More, PetMD
