Can Hamsters Eat Pistachios – Any Risks For Hamsters Eating Pistachios?
Do you always feel tempted to feed pistachios to your hamsters but unsure if the nuts are good for them? This is considering that hamsters have a sensitive digestive system. Not to mention, there are certain foods that these pets should never eat, like apple seeds, citrus fruits, and almonds.
So then, can hamsters eat pistachios? Yes, whether you have a Syrian, Campbell, dwarf, or Robo hamster, you can feed them pistachio nuts in moderation. This is because the nuts don’t contain any toxic compounds. Instead, pistachios are packed with many healthy nutrients and are rich in antioxidants.
But how often should hamsters eat these nuts? In this article, you can find everything there is to know about pet hamsters eating pistachios and other nuts.
Can You Feed Pistachios to Hamsters?
Yes, they can. Do you know why? First, pistachio nuts are rich in many nutrients, including healthy fats, antioxidants, fiber, and several vitamins. Therefore, these nuts can make a healthy snack for your hamsters, whether you have a Syrian or dwarf species.
Below is a table showing the nutritional value of pistachios to help you understand better how nutritious these nuts are to hamsters. This is according to the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
Type of Nutrient | Nutritional Value Of Raw Pistachios (Amount Per 1 Cup, 123 g) |
Fat | 56 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 1.2 mg |
Potassium | 1260.8 mg |
Dietary fiber | 13 g |
Protein | 25 g |
Vitamin C | 6.89 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 2.09 mg |
Magnesium | 149 mg |
Calcium | 129 mg |
Phosphorous | 603 mg |
However, not all pistachios are suitable for your hamster and could lead to health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease. These include:
- Salted Pistachios
- Sweetened or Seasoned Pistachios
- Shelled Pistachios
In other words, your hamster can only eat natural pistachios which do not contain any added sugar or other additives. Now, you can choose to give the pistachios either raw or dry roasted but unsalted. However, raw nuts are the best for your pet because they contain more fiber than raw pistachios.
The best part? Your hamster can safely eat any type of pistachio nut if it is not made with sweeteners, additives, and preservatives. Some of the best types of pistachios for your pet are:
- Green skinned
- Iranian pistachios (round, long, and jumbo)
- Turkish pistachios
- Kernel pistachios
- Akbari, or Persian pistachios
But can dwarf hamsters eat pistachio nuts considering their small size? Yes, as long as it is deshelled. You also have to break the nut in half to minimize the risk of choking. In addition, you must give the pistachios to your dwarf hamsters in moderation to prevent adverse side effects.
Health Benefits of Hamsters Eating Pistachios
Pistachios contain many nutrients. As such, there are many health benefits to hamsters eating these nuts. Let’s check them out.
Healthy Heart
Pistachio nuts are cholesterol-free, which makes them healthy for your pet’s heart. Besides, most of the fats present in these nuts are healthy and unsaturated.
Boosts Overall Health
Pistachios contain more antioxidants than other nuts at 176.9 mg per 100 g serving. Therefore, giving the nuts to your hamster can help improve their overall health by preventing cell damage.
Enhances Eye Health
Like other types of nuts, pistachios also contain zeaxanthin and lutein, which are beneficial for eye health.
Healthy Gut
In every cup of pistachios, you get 13 grams of dietary fiber. Therefore, these nuts can help improve the digestive health of your hamsters and bowel movement.
Combating Inflammation
Pistachio nuts are rich in fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid, which is popularly known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. Consequently, this helps reduce the risk of your hamster suffering from heart disease.
Any Risk to Feeding Hamsters Some Pistachios?
While the answer to the question, can dwarf hamsters eat pistachio nuts is a yes, there are some risks. However, these risks only occur when you feed your hamster too many pistachios. Therefore, if your pet eats these nuts in moderation or occasionally, you won’t have to worry about anything. The common risks include:
- Excessive weight gain
- Chances of getting arthritis or diabetes due to obesity
- Hypertension and heart disease because of too much sodium
- Digestive problems like bloating due to too much fiber intake
How Much Pistachios Should Hamsters Eat
So then, how many pistachio nuts can you feed to your Syrian or dwarf hamster to avoid any potential risks? If you have Syrian hamsters, you can let them eat 1-2 salt-free nuts because of their large size.
However, other smaller hamsters, including the Roborovski, dwarf, Chinese, and the Campbell, should eat one piece every 7-10 days. This also applies to younger golden hamsters.
How To Feed Pistachios To Syrian Or Dwarf Hamsters
If the pistachios still have shells, you must remove them first. This is because the nutshells can cause choking hazards and not easily digestible. Next, wash the raw pistachios thoroughly with clean water to eliminate any chemicals.
Then, hand-feed the nuts to your Syrian hamster. You could also add pistachios to their primary food. But for smaller species like the dwarf, you should break the pistachio nut into two. This is to help reduce the risk of choking.
Here is a short video of a Syrian hamster enjoying a pistachio nut:
What Other Types Of Nuts Can You Give To Hamsters?
Yes. Hamsters can safely eat nearly all nut varieties as they are rich in several minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients. The important thing is not to let your pet eat these nuts excessively. Also, you must ensure the nuts are unsalted and have no additional sweeteners. Below is a list of the nuts your hamsters can feed on.
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
- Brazil nuts
- Hazelnuts
- Cashew nuts
- Macadamias
- Pine nuts
On the other hand, hamsters eat several types of seeds, including pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. Among these, sunflower seeds are considered the best food for hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Salted Pistachios in the Shell?
No. Hamsters should only eat unsalted pistachios. This is because salted nuts contain too much salt, which could cause dehydration for your hamster. On top of that, small-sized hamsters may choke on the shells. However, if you have a fully grown Syrian hamster, you can feed it pistachios in the shell as long as they are not salted.
So then, can hamsters eat roasted salted pistachios? All hamster species can eat dry and roasted pistachio nuts. However, you must ensure the nuts have no additives, sweeteners, or salt. This is because, besides causing dehydration, salted pistachios can raise your pet’s blood pressure.
Can Hamsters Eat Pistachios In The Shell?
Yes and no. Hamsters boast strong incisors that can nibble and gnaw on anything they find. Therefore, full-grown hamsters can easily crack the shells of pistachios. You just ensure to wash them thoroughly before letting your pet eat them.
However, for younger and smaller-sized hamsters like dwarfs, you cannot feed them pistachios in the shell. This is because the nutshell is hardened. Therefore, your pet may have a difficult time cracking it open. Not to mention, it could choke the young hamsters.
FAQs
Without further ado, let’s quickly look at frequently asked questions regarding, can Robo hamsters eat pistachios?
Is It All Right To Give Nuts To Hamsters?
Yes, but not as part of your hamster’s primary diet. Hamsters should only eat nuts as an occasional treat. Do you know why? Eating too many nuts can lead to obesity, bloating, and diarrhea. It does not matter whether it’s hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, or cashews.
How Often Can Robo Hamsters Eat Pistachios?
To protect your hamster from any adverse effects, Robo hamsters should eat pistachios once a week or every ten days. However, for young hamsters, you can feed them pistachios once every two weeks.
Can Golden Hamsters Eat Peanut Butter?
Yes. You can give your hamster about 1.2 grams or 1/4 teaspoon of the butter. And to avoid complications, you can do this once or twice a week. One of the best ways to give peanut butter to your Syrian hamster is to rub a small amount on its food.
Final Verdict
Besides their mildly sweet flavor, hamsters can eat pistachios because they are packed with healthy fats and other nutrients. Not to mention, these nuts offer a range of health benefits to your hamster. That is why the answer to, can dwarf hamsters eat pistachios is yes. However, there are also risks if you feed too many pistachios to your hamster. Therefore, knowing how many pistachios your pet should eat is critical. You should also learn how to feed pistachios to your Syrian or dwarf hamsters correctly.