Can Hamsters Eat Kiwi? Are Kiwis Healthy For Hamsters?
Every animal needs a good diet for a comfortable life, and thankfully, hamsters have a surprisingly versatile palate. These omnivores love their grasses and plants, but they’re just as happy when they’re given a variety of other food, including fruits.
But can Hamsters Eat Kiwi? This isn’t something you should be worried about because hamsters can eat kiwi. As long as you don’t complicate things by experimenting too much with the kiwis, they are safe for hamsters. Kiwis can be a great addition to the hamster’s diet.
Moving on, we will tell you more about the benefits of kiwi and how to feed them to hamsters. We will discuss other fruits as well so that you can build a well-balanced diet for your hamster.
Are Kiwis Safe For Hamsters?
If you want to introduce kiwis to your hamster’s diet, feel free to do so. Hamsters can eat kiwi. They are a healthy option. Although, there are a few do’s and don’ts that you have to follow to ensure your hamster’s safety.
Kiwis have beneficial minerals and vitamins that help with the growth and development of hamsters. They are a great source of hydration but have a high sugar and citrusy content, too.
While smaller hamsters has energy requirment of 58 kcal and the larger ones even less at 28 kcal; The kiwi itself can contain about 48 kcal of energy. So, if eaten in an unreasonable amount, this fruit can make your hamsters extremely sick over time.
You can give your hamster pawn-sized pieces of kiwi every week. However, in the beginning, we recommend giving them every two weeks. If your hamster has a positive reaction, add more kiwi to the diet. Remember, moderation is the key!
Can All Types of Hamster Breed Eat Kiwi?
Whether or not your hamsters can eat kiwi also depends on the breed of your hamsters. While some breeds love kiwi, others can be sensitive to it. Syrian hamsters are comparatively bigger and can handle kiwis. Yet, we recommend not serving more than once a week. The same goes for Roborovski hamsters.
Campbell’s Dwarf hamsters are the ones that you need to be more careful with. They are smaller than regular hamsters, and hence, they might need more attention.
You can serve them bite-size servings every couple of weeks. If you notice any anomaly in your hamster’s behavior after eating the kiwi, stop serving them immediately.
Winter White Dwarf hamsters and Russian Dwarf hamsters are more delicate and have sensitive digestive systems. They should not be given kiwis. Chinese hamsters are a type of dwarf hamster, too, but they can digest small chunks of kiwi every other week.
Benefits of Kiwi for Hamsters
Kiwis have a range of benefits, not just for humans but also for hamsters. They’re loaded with vitamin C, which strengthens their immune systems. Furthermore, kiwis have vitamins E and K that ensure hamsters have a healthy heart and body.
Moreover, these fruits are rich in Calcium, which helps with bone development. They also have an abundance of Magnesium, Potassium, and Iron, all of which help to keep the hamsters healthy.
Kiwis also help with digestion and bowel movements because of their high fiber content. Thus, kiwis can also help with constipation. Also, kiwi is a great source of carbohydrates and provides an abundance of hydration. Both of these keep your hamsters energized.
Furthermore, kiwis can help to improve the quality of blood. They help to control blood pressure and blood clotting. So, all in all, this fruit can be extremely beneficial to your hamsters as long as you feed them in moderation.
Down below, we’ve summarised the nutritional data of an average-sized kiwi of about 69-70 grams.
Nutrition | Amount |
Energy(calories) | 42 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 10.1g |
Fiber | 2.1g |
Protein | 0.8g |
Iron | 0.2mg |
Potassium | 215mg |
Calcium | 23mg |
Phosphorus | 23mg |
Magnesium | 11.7mg |
Sodium | 2.1mg |
Vitamin C | 64mg |
Vitamin E | 1mg |
Vitamin K | 27.8mg |
How To Serve Kiwi To Your Hamster?
You can’t just serve your hamster small chunks of kiwi and call it a day. Both you and your hamsters have to be patient for this. You need to do a few other things before serving the kiwi.
- Start by washing the kiwi with clean water.
- Choose a fresh and ripe one that’s neither underripe nor overripe.
- Remove the skin and the seeds because they can be hard to digest for your hamster.
- Proceed to cut the kiwi into small chunks, making sure there are no sharp edges.
In addition to this, you can mash up the fruit and or make a puree out of them. This will get rid of any choking hazards and make it easier for your hamster to digest it. Besides, you need to remove any leftover kiwi from your hamster’s feeding bowl.
Risks of Kiwi for Hamsters
Most hamsters love kiwis because of their soft texture and high sugar content. However, don’t let your adorable hamsters manipulate you into overfeeding them.
There are certain risks of kiwi for which your hamster may fall sick. So, let’s give you more information on the risks.
High Sugar Content
We have been talking about the sugar content, but you might ask what exactly the risks are here. To put it simply, excess sugar will cause weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and dental issues.
Most importantly, do not serve your hamsters dried kiwi. They are higher in sugar and citrus content, which, as mentioned before, will make your hamster sick.
High Water Content
Excessive amounts of Kiwi can make your hamsters overly hydrated. Overhydration can cause an imbalance in electrolytes in the body, making the hamsters feel nauseous and fatigued.
Hight Citrus Content
The citrus content makes kiwis quite acidic, which can disrupt their digestive systems. This may lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, and sometimes GI issues.
High Fiber Content
Fiber content isn’t as high as sugar or citrus, but overfeeding the kiwis may affect your hamster’s fiber levels. Too much fiber can cause digestive issues.
Allergies
Some hamsters may be allergic to kiwi. This can lead to mild rashes, breathlessness, and sometimes digestive issues.
As mentioned before, you need to make sure your hamster isn’t overeating kiwis. If you notice any of the aforementioned risks, call your vet immediately.
What Other Fruits Can Hamsters Eat?
Kiwis aren’t the only fruits you hamsters might love. You need to be mindful of the fruits you’re feeding your hamsters. In the table below, we have mentioned some of the popular hamster-safe fruits and some that you should avoid.
Hamster-safe fruits | Fruits to Avoid |
Apple: Remove the skin and seeds and cut them into small chunks. Apple is one of the healthiest fruits for a hamster. | Fruits that mainly have citrus in them. Orange, Tangerine, and Lemon should be avoided completely. |
Pears: Remove skin and seeds and cut them into smaller chunks | Blackberry: Removing the seed from them can be very hard, so it’s best to avoid them |
Bananas: Only ripe bananas should be served | Rhubarb: They have high levels of oxalic acid, which can be toxic to hamsters |
Strawberries: Cut them into smaller chunks | Grapes and Raisins: They have been associated with kidney failures in hamsters |
Blueberries: One teaspoon of blueberries should be served. If needed, cut them into smaller chunks | Fruit Pits: Not only are they a choking hazard but some of them are also poisonous. |
However, fruits aren’t the only thing that you should be concerned about. An ideal diet should be well-balanced, fulfilling, and nourishing. You should be serving them a mixture of high-quality pellets, seeds, nut mixes, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
People are often confused about what veggies to serve to their hamsters. This isn’t as complicated as you might think. Just offer them a range of fresh vegetables like dark leafy greens, carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers.
Conclusion
To sum up, can hamsters eat kiwi? Yes, they can, but you need to observe how much you’re feeding them. Excess kiwi in the diet can make your hamster very sick. So, be extra careful about this and look out for any adverse reaction your hamsters might have to kiwis.
Furthermore, you want to be careful about the overall diet you’re providing to your hamsters. Don’t miss out on hydration as well; give them plenty of water every day. As long as you’re providing fresh and high-quality food in moderation, you’re good to go!