Strawberries are beneficial to dwarf hamsters, but because they are heavy in sugar, they should only be given to them in moderation. If you feed your dwarf hamsters foods containing a lot of sugar, especially natural saccharine, your pet may experience severe digestive issues.
Benefits of feeding dwarf hamsters’ strawberries
- Rich in fibre but low in calories
You must closely monitor your hamster’s diet because of their small body mass because if they eat too much food, they can easily gain weight.
- Decreases the risk of heart disease
Giving your hamster a diet high in fat increases their risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Because they are delicate creatures, hamsters should be shielded from shocks as much as possible.
- Strengthens vision
As nocturnal creatures, hamsters are extremely sensitive to sunlight. Additionally, they do not have as good of eyesight as humans have, thus they cannot see as clearly as we can. Therefore, it is strongly advised to include a portion of two to three strawberries at least twice a week, as doing so will help to improve your hamster’s vision and maintain the health of its eyes.
Risks of feeding dwarf hamsters’ strawberries
- Diarrhea
A hamster who consumes too many strawberries may get diarrhoea, which may cause the hamster to become dehydrated or potentially develop other health issues. Strawberries contain acids that aggravate the digestive tract’s mucous membranes. This frequently results in stomach ulcers or gastritis.
- Allergy
Hamsters may get adverse responses from strawberries. It is advised not to give your pet strawberries if he has previously experienced an allergic reaction.
- Issues with the kidneys
About 90% of strawberries are made up of water and potassium, which causes the kidneys of hamsters to urinate more frequently. Your hamster could die if the kidneys are unable to handle such a hefty load. Considering that most of these negative effects may not manifest right away, portion control is crucial while feeding strawberries to hamsters.
How often can you feed dwarf hamsters strawberries?
A dwarf hamster can have strawberries up to three times each week, but you shouldn’t give them on the same day as other sweet snacks. Unless you properly portion the offering so that the total amount of fruit supplied is made up of many small portions that when combined make a single serve the size of a hamster. To ensure that your hamster has access to a variety of nutrients throughout the whole week, it is typically simpler and safer to simply make a schedule in which the goodies are alternated.
How to feed strawberries to your dwarf hamster
- Clean your hands.
Make sure to fully wash your hands before handling the strawberries you plan to give your hamster. This lowers the possibility of health issues brought on by feeding your pet contaminated strawberries.
- Wear your gloves.
You can avoid having your hands meet the strawberries you’re about to give your pet by putting on gloves. This may seem like a lot for a straightforward feeding procedure, but it is your duty to reduce any health risks that might make your hamster ill.
- Wash the strawberries completely.
The strawberries should then be carefully washed in clean water. Make sure to do this correctly to remove all potentially dangerous chemicals and pesticides from the strawberry’s skin since they can sicken your pet.
- Take the seeds out.
Due to their extreme sensitivity and little body mass, dwarf hamsters are especially vulnerable to choking hazards and catastrophic health issues that might result from strawberry seeds. Therefore, it’s crucial to remove the strawberry seeds before feeding.
- Peel the top skin of the strawberry
It’s crucial to remove the leaves and green portion of the strawberry before feeding it to your hamster. According to studies, they are poisonous to dwarf hamsters. Therefore, it is advised to get rid of them.
- The strawberries should be cut into small bits.
Since dwarf hamsters are small animals, you shouldn’t give them whole strawberries because they won’t be able to consume the entire fruit.
In conclusion
Yes, Dwarf hamsters can eat strawberries, but only in moderation to prevent your hamster’s digestive system from becoming upset.
If you own hamsters and are looking for additional advice, be sure to check out other blogs such as:
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