Can Hamsters Eat Cranberries? Everything You Need To Know
Maintaining a proper diet helps to keep pet hamsters in good health. Moreover, treats are given to keep them cheerful and happy. Fruits are the most commonly given treat to them.
Now, can hamsters eat cranberries? Similarly to other fruits, cranberries are good for hamsters’ health when given in small amounts. They are high in fiber, which can help balance the digestive system of your pet hamster. However, Russian and Chinese dwarf hamsters can not tolerate this high sugar-containing fruit.
There are also other foods that are restricted for the hamsters. In the below sections, an overview of the foods that are necessary, along with the pros and cons of cranberries in the hamster’s diet, is included. Let’s check it!
Are Cranberries Bad For Hamsters?
Cranberries are not exactly bad for the hamsters. But the amount should be adequate. Excessive feeding would lead to bad health conditions in the hamster.
Give cranberries to hamsters as a treat. Moreover, it contains high amounts of sugar for tiny animals like hamsters. Excessive feeding can increase the sugar level in the blood, which results in instigating diabetes and obesity.
Benefits Of Cranberries For Hamsters
Despite having some cons of feeding cranberries to the hamster, it comes with plenty of benefits. The contribution of cranberries to hamsters’ health is included below.
Fiber
Fiber-rich foods are essential in order to prevent digestive discomfort. It helps in times of stomach ache and relieves pain. Also, it’s a good food source for dealing with constipation. Moreover, insoluble fibers are also good for diuretic conditions.
Antioxidants
Cranberries are antioxidant-rich fruits. Antioxidants are essential for the body in preventing disease effects of infectious disease, vascular disease, and colonic inflammation. It also protects the body from urinary infections and cancer. Additionally, antioxidants give protection against cancer by scavenging free radicals.
Apart from that, anthocyanin tends to improve the cholesterol level in the hamster.
Regulate Blood Pressure
Cranberries also contain polyphenols, which help in maintaining blood pressure. It also contains Mg, which is known to be the best regulator of blood pressure.
Vitamin C
Cranberries also contain vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and regulates it. Vitamin C promotes healing and also prevents scurvy. Vitamin C is also essential for damaged tissue regeneration.
Protects Eyesight
Cranberries improve the eyesight of the hamsters through the function of their ingredients such as vitamin A, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins. The vision can be improved by removing harmful free radicals from the body.
Nutrients In Cranberries
Below, the table highlights 100 gm of cranberries containing nutrients in estimated amounts.
Nutrient | Amount |
Calorie | 46 kcal |
Water | 87.3% |
Fat | 0.13 grams |
Sugar | 4.27 grams |
Fiber | 3.6 grams |
Protein | 0.46 grams |
Carbs | 12 grams |
How Do I Feed My Hamster Cranberries?
Feeding hamster cranberries is not the problem, but managing the correct amount for feeding is. So, follow the below feeding steps to give the hamster the best taste.
- Step 1: Remove the leaves and stems of the fruit.
- Step 2: Wash and remove the skin of the cranberries. Well, the skin might contain contaminants.
- Step 3: Cut the cranberries into small pieces. Seeds should be avoided due to their fat content.
- Step 4: Afterward, put the pieces in a small bowl.
- Step 5: Let the hamster take the fruit from the bowl and eat.
- Step 6: Remember to only provide one or two cranberries to the hamster. To avoid danger, feeding only one is enough. Dwarf hamsters and young hamsters would not be able to tolerate too sugary fruits. Also, feed them cranberries only once a week.
Risks Of Feeding Cranberries For Hamsters
As long as cranberries are fed in moderate amounts, it is not bad for hamsters. However, excessive feeding can lead to several health problems, which are discussed below.
Diabetes
Inadequate sugar levels in the body can increase the risk of diabetes. Similarly, excess sugar is not suggested for the hamsters.
However, 100 gm of raw cranberries can contain around 4 gm of sugar. Being high in sugar content, can increase health risks in hamsters.
On the other hand, dwarf hamsters and younger ones can not tolerate high sugar-containing foods. Apart from that, Chinese Campbell and Winter White hamsters are prone to diabetes.
Feeding them cranberries can worsen the condition. At the same time, Syrian hamsters have the highest tolerance to sugar. But feeding the younger ones should have limitations.
Stomach Problems
Cranberries are also considered an acidic fruit. Excessive intake of cranberries can lead to gas formation in the stomach. Consequently, it can cause stomach pain. Later, it can lead to corrosion in the stomach lining and make the hamster severely ill.
Are Hamsters Allergic To Cranberries?
Most of the time, hamsters are not allergic to cranberries. Yet, better to be ensured. In order to detect if the hamster is allergic to cranberries or not, let them try a small amount first.
Observe the reaction of the pets. After eating cranberries, if they feel discomfort, they are most likely to be allergic. Apart from that, they might not like cranberries due to their taste. In that case, you do not need to force them to eat.
Well, can hamsters eat fresh cranberries? Yes, raw and fresh cranberries do not do any harm to the hamsters unless they are overfed or allergic to them.
Other Safe Fruits Can Hamsters Eat
High-fat-rich foods and sugar-containing fruits are harmful to pets. That’s why a moderate amount should be given as a treat. Also, hamster diet requirements should fulfill protein of 10-20%, carbohydrate of 30-40%, fat of 4-5%, and 4-5% fiber.
Overall, calories should come from pellets, and seeds and fruits can be the source of it. Apart from cranberries, let’s check out a list of other safe fruits and vegetables for hamsters.
A List Of Safe Fruits For The Hamsters Is Added Below.
- Cherries
- Cucumber
- Dates
- Guava
- Apple
- Banana
- Apricot
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Watermelon
- Coconut
Safe Vegetables For Hamsters
- Carrot
- Cereals
- Grains
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Leafy vegetables
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Bell paper
Foods To Avoid In The Hamster’s Diet.
- Fruit seeds
- Dragon fruit
- Raisin
- Tomato
- Eggplant
- Kiwi
- Citrus fruits
- Almond
- Raw potato
- Dairy products
- Chili papers
- Garlic
- Star fruit
- Avocado
- Beans
- Salty foods
- Onion
- Processed foods
- Chocolate
Can Hamsters Eat Dried Cranberries?
Hamsters should not be allowed to eat dried cranberries. Dried cranberries have a higher sugar content than the raw ones. As previously known, excess sugar can lead to health problems. That’s why dried cranberries are not suitable for hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Cranberries Juice?
Processed foods are not good for the hamster’s health. The same goes for cranberry juices, which contain a high amount of sugar. Though cranberry juice increases antioxidant activity, it only supports pure extract. You can give pure cranberry juice without the addition of other substances. But the amount should be too little and almost 1-2 drops. Processed juice contains preservatives, sugar, and other flavor components that leave a bad impact on the hamster’s health.
Final Verdict
Overall, cranberries are high in sugar and antioxidants. In addition to that, this nutritious food promotes good health. But can hamsters eat cranberries? Cranberries benefit health and prevent the risk of cancer and stomach pain when fed in small quantities.
On the other hand, sugary fruits are harmful to hamsters when fed in high amounts. Proper diet moderation can help to protect the hamster. Nevertheless, feeding cranberries once a week would improve the health of the hamsters. However, consuming a higher amount of cranberries can pose a threat to the hamster’s health.