Can Hamsters Eat Cuttlefish? Will the Cuttlebones Hurt?
Hamsters, especially the Syrian or Golden Hamsters, make amazing pets. If you own a Hamster, you’re probably concerned about its diet. Although commercial Hamster pellets are used as a staple diet, you could still struggle to figure out some healthy chews for them.
Can Hamsters eat cuttlefish? Yes, the cuttlebone (the inner shell of the cuttlefish), makes a safer and more popular chew for Hamsters. It’s more like the mollusk shell and doesn’t contain any toxic elements for the Hams. It’s a natural source of calcium and mineral salts, and your Hams will find it perfectly safe and enjoyable to chew on.
While it’s safe for your Hams, you could still be unsure about how to feed it to them regarding preparation method and quantity. And also if there’s any risk associated with it. We’ll answer all your queries in this article here.
Can You Feed Your Hamster Cuttlefish or Cuttlebones
![Can You Feed Your Hamster Cuttlefish or Cuttlebones](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Can-You-Feed-Your-Hamster-Cuttlefish-or-Cuttlebones.jpg)
The cuttlefish belongs to the Cephalopoda class, similar to the squid and octopus. Its body is mainly formed with a unique internal shell named cuttlebone. And you can feed this marine animal to your favorite Hamster without harm. But remember, when we’re discussing cuttlefish as a part of your Hamster’s diet, we’re referring to the cuttlebone.
Cuttlebone is a popular dietary supplement for many pets, including Hamsters, for its rich amount of natural calcium and mineral salts. It isn’t a bone; it’s made of materials similar to invertebrate mollusk shells. Some of its features are:
- Solid oval-shaped piece.
- It consists of eight arms and two long tentacles (ranging between four to twenty inches, unlike the octopus that has eight long tentacles).
- It is made of aragonite, which is pure crystallized calcium carbonate.
- Rich in mineral salts like magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus sulfate.
The calcium and salts in the cuttlebone are highly absorbable that help the bone development and organism of your Hamster. Besides adding minerals to your Hamster’s diet, they keep your Hamster’s teeth healthy and clean.
However, cuttlefish or cuttlebone is high in protein & salt and also low in fat. So if you’re considering it for your Hamster, feed it in moderation. Also, in cases like digestive issues, your Hamster shouldn’t eat seafood like cuttlefish to avoid stomach upsets.
Health Benefits of Cuttlefish bone for Hamsters
![Health Benefits of Cuttlefish bone for Hamsters](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Health-Benefits-of-Cuttlefish-bone-for-Hamsters.jpg)
The research finds cuttlebone usually contains around 90% of calcium [Learn more]. And that’s why it’s one of the most widely used pet food to meet calcium requirements. It also provides protein that can’t be found in vegetables or regular pellets.
It includes essential trace minerals that can neutralize stomach acids and pepsin activity if consumed moderately. Adding cuttlebone also changes the pH of the diet, promoting better digestion.
Hamsters like chewing on hard food items like the cuttlebone. It has that grainy outer texture, chewing on which will polish your Hamsters’ teeth and keep them healthy. They can also help promote jaw exercise for your Hamster.
Risks of Eating Cuttlebone for Hamsters
![Risks of Eating Cuttlebone for Hamsters](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Risks-of-Eating-Cuttlebone-for-Hamsters.jpg)
Since cuttlefish contains too much salt, it can make the Hamster more thirsty than usual. It also contains too much protein, which could cause digestive issues for your Hams and lead to diarrhea if consumed excessively. Also, overconsumption calcium or phosphorus can cause kidney-related issues like urinary complications.
Some manufacturers sell artificial mineral blocks that look like cuttlebone. But they’re made of Plaster of Paris and may contain artificial seed or food coloring, which could harm your Hamster.
Do Hamsters Like Cuttlefish or its Bones?
![Do Hamsters Like Cuttlefish or its Bones](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Do-Hamsters-Like-Cuttlefish-or-its-Bones.jpg)
They absolutely adore eating cuttlebones. If your Hamster enjoys hard items like dog biscuits or wooden, then you can be sure that it’ll love the cuttlebone equally, if not more.
How to Prepare Cuttlebone for Your Hamster
![How to Prepare Cuttlebone for Your Hamster](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-to-Prepare-Cuttlebone-for-Your-Hamster.jpg)
You can buy pre-sterilized cuttlebone from any pet food store. It’s inexpensive and can be prepared easily. If you’ve found a cuttlefish bone while walking around the coast, then it’s not sterilized. You’ve to soak it in salt water for 24 hours, rinse it, and leave it in the sun for one more day. You can also boil or soak it in an avian disinfectant for around 48 hours.
The best way to offer cuttlebone to your Hamster is to add it to your Hamster’s regular diet. You can use a sharp knife, mortar, or pestle to scrape bits of it into the diet. The powder at the top of the food can keep it both tasty and healthy for your Hamster.
Besides breaking them apart, some owners use cuttlebone holders or treat clips to attach them to your Hamsters. Regardless of how you prepare it, always offer it in moderation, so your Hamster doesn’t have any health issues.
How Much Cuttlefish or Cuttlebone Should Your Hamster Eat
![How Much Cuttlefish or Cuttlebone Should Your Hamster Eat](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-Much-Cuttlefish-or-Cuttlebone-Should-Your-Hamster-Eat.jpg)
It’s better to consult a vet regarding how much cuttlebone is enough for your Hamster on every diet. Regarding the frequency, our experience says you should feed your Hamster cuttlefish a maximum of twice a week. Anything more than that could harm your lovely pet’s health.
FAQs
Let’s get some more queries answered here.
1. How is cuttlefish bone collected?
After breeding, the adult female cuttlefish generally die, and after a few weeks, their bones are washed up around the beach due to windy weather. They’re then collected and washed thoroughly in avian disinfectants.
2. Can I feed my Hamsters biscuits instead of cuttlefish bone?
If you’re looking for a good chew for your Hamster, you can safely try the dog biscuits instead of the cuttlebone. Most Hamsters enjoy chewing them, and that also helps the Hams wear down their teeth. The dog biscuits also provide decent nutrition value.
3. What are some other safe chews for Hamster?
Some other safe chews to consider for your Hamsters are mineral chews such as salt wheels, rodent pumice, pet treats such as dog biscuits, cat foods, and wood chews. Try picking more natural ones that do not contain artificial flavorings.
Outro
Cuttlefish mainly consists of a large shell that’s known as a cuttlebone. It’s considered a super food for many pets, including birds, tortoises, turtles, and, more importantly, Hamsters. Cuttlebone is a multipurpose food used not only as a dietary supplement for your Hamster but also as a chew that can wear down your Hamster’s teeth. It’s easily available in most pet stores, and they’re inexpensive and easy to prepare for your Hams.
Try to avoid the ones that contain artificial chemicals. You may also get them on the beach if you live in such coastal areas. In that case, ensure to disinfect them with avian disinfectants before offering them to your Hams. Talk to your vet for the optimal amount of cuttlebone to offer in every diet. Don’t offer too much; otherwise, excessive salt, protein, and calcium can cause different health issues for your Hamster.