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Mealworms are a small insect that is actually the larvae of the mealworm beetle. These little guys are packed full of protein and for years have been a popular choice for feeding wild birds, squirrels and more. Did you know that these insects can also be a nutritious treat for your pet too?
Can hamsters eat mealworms?
So, Can hamsters eat mealworms? If you’ve got a brand new pet hamster, or if you are an experienced owner who is looking to introduce something new to your hammie’s diet, you may be wondering if you can feed mealworms to your pet. The short answer is absolutely yes! In the wild insects form a significant part of a hamsters’ diet, so giving them mealworms is a good way to replicate something they naturally eat.
You should be mindful that you only ever feed hamsters dried mealworms and not live insects, this is because live mealworms can bite your pet and cause a nasty wound. Remember hammies often stuff their cheek pouches full of food before digesting it, and you certainly don’t want a live mealworm in their chomping down on your pet’s cheek.
Are mealworms good for hamsters?
Dried mealworms are full of protein, which is essential for helping your hamster to stay healthy and happy. This protein will help hamsters to grow and repair muscles, which is especially helpful if your hamster is very active and loves running around on their wheel or in a hamster ball. Mealworms also have a reasonable amount of fibre, which helps them with digestion and maintaining a strong and healthy heart.
How many mealworms can I give to my hamster?
Mealworms do contain a reasonably high amount of fat, so you should remember that they are a treat for your hamster and should not become a main part of their diet, otherwise the additional calories may bring on obesity and other chronic problems.
A few mealworms per week is a reasonable measure, but the exact amount that you give your hamster should be dictated by their size. Larger Syrian hamsters may able to have a slightly larger portion than smaller dwarf, Chinese or Roborovski hammies.
When giving a new treat it is often better to start off by giving your hamster a very small amount, this it to ensure that they enjoy it and their body can process it without any problems.
Remember to always consult your vet regarding the exact portion size of any treat and the frequency you should be feeding your hamster.
Where can I get mealworms for my hamster?
There are a few ways to get tasty mealworms for your hamster to enjoy. You can purchase a pack of mealworms like this one from Trixie, which you can then feed individually to your hamster as a treat when training or playing with them to help with bonding.
You can also feed your hammie dried mealworms as part of a pre-prepared food mix, such as this one from Witte Molen. The mix of foods also has other delicious treats including sunflower seeds and puffed rice.
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