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Can hamsters eat cashews? Yes they can, but let’s see what it will do to your hamster.
Can Hamsters Eat Cashews?
If your hamster’s diet consists of 20% or more cashew seeds, the animal will be fine. If the animal’s diet contains 50% or more of the nuts, signs of toxicity will appear. These signs are excessive salivation, diarrhea and uncoordinated movements of the limbs. If you notice these symptoms in your pet, cease feeding it cashews immediately. Also avoid feeding it anything else that contains high levels of fat and sugar because this will only make matters worse. Your best bet is to take the animal to a vet as soon as possible for treatment and further instructions.
Hamsters should eat Cashews in Small Amounts
Hamsters can eat cashews but only in small amounts. Cashew seeds are rich in fats and sugar so they should only be fed to hamsters in moderation–about 20% of their diet. Too much fat can lead to fatty liver disease, which manifests itself in symptoms such as salivating and diarrhea. Because the seeds are also rich in omega-6 fatty acids, it’s best not to feed them to your hamster more than once a week. Lastly, make sure you remove any uneaten cashew nuts after a couple of hours to prevent any pest infestations or decay caused by high levels of moisture.
Help – my Hamster is Vomiting!
A medical condition called fatty liver disease could be the reason why your hamster is vomiting. To combat this condition, take your pet for a thorough checkup and prescription medications when appropriate. If you notice these signs, don’t panic–just do everything you can to prevent fatty liver disease from developing.
You also shouldn’t feed your hamster cashews more than 20% of its diet or else it will suffer from a fluctuating level of blood sugar that could cause symptoms such as excessive salivation and diarrhea.
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