Do Hamsters Eat Insects? An Essential Read for Hamster Parents!
While some rodent family members are herbivores, feeding exclusively on plant matter, others, like hamsters, are omnivores. So, apart from plant materials, hamsters also feed on animal matter. But do hamsters eat insects?
The answer is yes. Hamsters can eat a wide range of bugs and other small animals. These include small lizards, roaches, worms, slugs, snails, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders and dried earthworms. Typically, they can eat these insects dead or alive, as they are high in protein content.
So then, what are the benefits of the insect hamster diet, and are there any alternatives to insects for hamster nutrition? This guide has answers to all your questions, including the precautions to take when feeding insects to your hamsters.
Benefits of Insects in a Hamster’s Diet
Including insects in your pet hamster’s diet has many potential health benefits. The typical benefits of eating insects of hamsters include:
![BENEFITS OF INSECTS IN A HAMSTERS DIET](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BENEFITS-OF-INSECTS-IN-A-HAMSTERS-DIET.webp)
1. Protein Content
Insects are extremely protein-rich compared to plant protein sources. However, the protein content in insects varies based on developmental stage, species, diet, and sex. The protein is essential for:
- Building and repairing tissue
- Promoting healthy bone growth
- Maintaining lean muscle mass
- Supporting a healthy immune function
2. Vitamins and Minerals
Apart from protein, insects also contain high levels of vitamin B12 or cobalamin. This vitamin is crucial for the production of red blood cells, nerve tissue health, and brain function in hamsters.
Additionally, insects are rich in minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, and calcium. The benefits of these minerals are:
- Supporting growth and development of strong bones and teeth
- Promoting proper muscle and nerve function
- Boosting hamster’s metabolism
- Protecting against illnesses
3. Fats and Carbohydrates
Insects are also rich in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. They also contain carbohydrates in two forms, namely chitin, and glycogen, which are both long-chain polysaccharides.
Generally, fats and carbohydrates are excellent sources of energy for these rodents. This is because they burn so much energy when active.
Insects that Are Safe for Hamsters to Eat
Some insects may be poisonous, and others may be exposed to harmful chemical substances like pesticides. So, below is a list of the insects safe for these rodents to eat.
![INSECTS THAT ARE SAFE FOR HAMSTERS TO EAT](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/INSECTS-THAT-ARE-SAFE-FOR-HAMSTERS-TO-EAT.webp)
1. Mealworms
Hamsters eat these worms in the wild. But in captivity, you should feed them 1-4 pieces every other day, either live or dried. They are a great source of protein, fat, and vitamins. For example, dried mealworms have about 53% protein content, 28% fat, and 6% fiber.
On the other hand, when alive, these worms contain about 20% protein, 13% fat, and 2% fiber content.
2. Crickets
Your pet can safely eat 1-2 of these insects a day. They are low in fat but high in protein and fiber. Generally, house and field crickets contain about 60%-70% of the protein in dry weight.
Their fiber content ranges between 0.5 and 13.4% per 100 grams of dry weight. They are also high in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and minerals like calcium and sodium.
Read More About: Can Hamsters Eat Crickets
3. Grasshoppers
These are excellent treats for hamsters. Like other insects, grasshoppers are rich in protein, fat, and dietary fiber. Generally, they contain around 40% protein, 43% fat, and 14% dietary fiber. Grasshoppers are also high in minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
4. Other Insects
Additionally, pet rodents can eat other insects such as waxworms, earthworms, super worms, and silkworms. They can eat them either dead or alive. But do hamsters eat ants? Yes. Ants are safe for hamsters to eat. Ants are rich in protein, fat, calcium, and iron.
For example, black ants contain about 39.79 to 44.64% of protein content. However, some large ants, like wood ants, contain formic acid, which can harm your rodent.
See the following table summarizing the nutritional values of the insects that hamsters can eat.
Types of Insects | Protein Content Per 100g | Fat Content Per 100g | Carbohydrates Per 100g | Fiber Content Per 100g |
Mealworms | 53% | 28% | 11.5% | 6% |
Crickets | 60-70% | Up to 33.44% | 2.5-47.2% | 0.5-13.4% |
Grasshoppers | 40% | 43% | 2.5-3.2% | 11-14.5% |
Black Ants | 39.79-44.64% | 42.07-49.77% | 30.86% | 1.46% |
Precautions When Feeding Insects to Hamsters
Unfortunately, not all insects are safe for hamsters to eat. So, here are some precautions to take when feeding your hamsters insects.
![PRECAUTIONS WHEN FEEDING INSECTS TO HAMSTERS](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PRECAUTIONS-WHEN-FEEDING-INSECTS-TO-HAMSTERS.webp)
Choosing the Right Size
Hamsters are small rodents. Therefore, feeding them large insects can pose a choking hazard. So, you should feed your hamster small to medium-sized insects like bloodworms.
Avoiding Wild-Caught Insects
Only feed your hamsters insects that have been bred specifically for pets. This is because wild-caught insects may contain harmful substances and pesticides.
Ensuring Proper Hygiene
Don’t feed your hamsters dirty insects. Instead, clean them thoroughly with lots of clean water to avoid digestive problems.
Avoid Over-Feeding
Your pet rodents should eat insects in moderation as a treat. Eating too much can upset their stomach and cause health issues.
Alternatives to Insects for Hamster Nutrition
Despite their excellent nutrition, insects are not the only food option for pet hamsters. Some alternatives include the following:
![ALTERNATIVES TO INSECTS FOR HAMSTER NUTRITION](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ALTERNATIVES-TO-INSECTS-FOR-HAMSTER-NUTRITION.webp)
Commercial Hamster Food
There are many healthy commercial food options available for these rodents, including:
Pellets
Pellets provide complete nutrition for your rodent. They are packed with protein, carbohydrates, fat, and antioxidants. Some pellets may also be fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Seed Mixes
You could also feed your pet rodent seed mixes that are free from any artificial flavors or colors. Like pellets, they are highly nutritious and packed with carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
But can hamsters eat walnuts since they are also seeds? Yes, but they must eat nuts in moderation because they are high in fat and could make them obese.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
These are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Some fruits your hamster can eat include apples, grapes, bananas, pears, and berries.
When it comes to vegetables, you can feed them broccoli, cucumber, carrots, spinach, kale, cauliflower, and lettuce. But can hamsters eat Brussel sprouts? Yes. Like other veggies, they are packed with essential dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Protein-Rich Alternatives
Apart from commercial food, there are also protein-rich alternatives for hamsters. They include:
Cooked Chicken or Turkey
Plain-cooked chicken or turkey is an excellent treat for your pet rodent as it is rich in protein but low in fat. For example, cooked chicken breast has about 27.3 grams of protein and 2.8 grams of fat per 85 grams or 3 ounces.
On the other hand, cooked turkey contains approximately 24 grams of protein and 2 grams of fat per 84 grams serving. Just be sure to cut the meat into small pieces that your pet can eat without risking choking. Also, you must remove any bones.
Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein, iron, choline, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins B12, D, B5, B2, and A. Your pet rodents can consume the eggs, either scrambled, soft-boiled, hard-boiled, or baked.
According to the USDA, scrambled eggs contain about 20% protein, 16% fat, 6% sodium, 18% iron, and 13% vitamin B6 per 100 grams.
Tofu
Tofu is made from the curds of soy milk. It is low in calories, naturally gluten-free, and does not contain cholesterol. However, it is rich in protein, fat, calcium, manganese, copper, and carbs.
According to the USDA, tofu contains 8.08 grams of protein (16%), 4.78 grams of fat (7%), and 350 mg of calcium (35%) per 100 grams.
How To Feed Insects to Your Hamster?
When feeding insects to your pet rodent, there are several things to keep in mind.
![HOW TO FEED INSECTS TO YOUR HAMSTER](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/HOW-TO-FEED-INSECTS-TO-YOUR-HAMSTER.webp)
Proper Portion Sizes
The first thing is you must observe portion sizes since hamsters are supposed to eat insects in moderation. For example, they should only eat 1-4 worms a day.
How Often to Include Insects in Their Diet
You should only feed your hamsters insects to supplement their regular diet. So, you can feed them the insects 2 to 3 times a week. But if you’re unsure how often your rodents should eat insects, always consult your veterinarian.
Introducing Insects to Your Hamster’s Diet
Always start with offering your pet rodent small amounts of insects and increase the amount gradually while observing their reaction. While introducing the insects, monitor for signs of digestive upset like vomiting or diarrhea.
If there are any severe issues raised, immediately stop giving the insects to them.
Where to Buy Insects From?
![WHERE TO BUY INSECTS FROM](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WHERE-TO-BUY-INSECTS-FROM.webp)
You probably are wondering, where can I get insects from? Whether you want live or dried insects, you can buy them from your local pet shop. Simply search for pet stores in your neighborhood that specialize in selling reptile feeds.
Alternatively, you could get the insects from your backyard. This is as long as you don’t use any chemicals or pesticides in your garden. You could also source some insects near your kitchen, fireplaces, woodpiles, and heaters.
In this section, we will respond to some commonly asked queries regarding what bugs hamsters can eat.
Q: Can hamsters eat all types of insects?
No. Some insects can be difficult for these rodents to digest, while others are toxic. For example, certain spiders, like the brown and black widow species, are poisonous.
Q: Are insects necessary for a hamster’s diet?
Yes, since they are omnivores. Besides, plant matter alone is not as rich in protein as insects. On top of that, insects contain other essential nutrients like fat that hamsters need to stay healthy.
Q: What are the risks of feeding insects to hamsters?
One is that your pet rodents could choke from eating large insects. They could also experience digestive problems if they eat in excessive amounts. Your hamsters could also get sick from eating dirty insects or suffer allergic reactions.
Q: Can I feed my hamster the insects I find in my garden?
Yes, but you must wash them thoroughly with clean water. However, it is not recommended because the insects could be contaminated with harmful chemicals or substances like pesticides.
Q: How do I store and prepare insects for my hamster?
Always store the insects in a cool and dry place that is not directly exposed to sunlight. You can place them in a refrigerator or in an airtight container. Before feeding your hamster the insects, wash them first. Then, cut the larger pieces into small bit sizes.
The Bottom Line
Hamsters have a varied diet in their natural habitat, comprising seeds and grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as insects. Each of these foods plays an important role in promoting the health of these rodents.
However, compared to other food sources, the benefits of including insects in a hamster’s diet are many. The first is that they are rich in protein. In addition, insects are an excellent source of fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The important thing is knowing where to source quality insects.
But guess what? There are several alternatives to insects for hamster nutrition, including commercial seed mixes, pellets, tofu, scrambled eggs, and cooked chicken or turkey. And like insects, these alternatives offer similar health benefits.
Relevant Resources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/polysaccharide
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336068043_Nutritional_Values_and_Functional_Properties_of_House_Cricket_Acheta_domesticus_and_Field_Cricket_Gryllus_bimaculatus
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7835793/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279544482_Nutritional_Value_and_Consumption_of_Black_Ants_Carebara_vidua_Smith_from_the_Lake_Victoria_Region_in_Kenya
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5383563/#:~:text=Wood%20ants%20are%20also%20chemical,1992%3B%20Morgan%2C%202008).
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172187/nutrients
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172476/nutrients