Can Hamsters Eat Apricot? All You Need To Know

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:35 pm

Apricots are a delicious fruit that we humans love to eat, but do hamsters like to eat apricots, will they like their taste.

Fruit is important in the diet of hamsters because it provides important nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for them to be healthy and have a longer life span.

Fruit should be given to hamsters as a supplement or dessert, in addition to the regular diet of pellets, seed mixes and occasionally a certain amount of vegetables.

Can hamsters eat apricots?

Yes, hamsters such as Syrian and Robo can eat apricots, but small dwarf hamsters cannot eat this fruit due to the presence of a large amount of sugar in this fruit. Leaves and seeds should be avoided and not given to hamsters. Apricots have vitamin C, as well as other vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that are good for the health of hamsters as long as they are given in moderate amounts, otherwise too many apricots contribute to diabetes and obesity.

In today’s article, we will find out how many apricots hamsters can eat, as well as all the benefits and risks of this fruit for their health.

What should we know about apricots?

Apricots are a very tasty fruit that is produced all over the world, and Turkey is the largest producer of apricots with over one million tons of production of this fruit.

Apricots are used to make juices, jams, they are used in fruit salads and other dishes. The taste of apricot is very specific and we humans love it, and so do our hamsters.

Apricots have an orange-yellow color and are soft and juicy, people can’t resist them, and hamsters too.

Can hamsters eat apricots?

Yes, hamsters can eat apricots, but always in moderate quantities because of the sugar that is in large amounts in this fruit.

We must emphasize that not all breeds of hamsters can eat apricots. Syrian and Robo hamsters can eat apricots, while dwarf hamsters can’t because of the sugar.

Hamsters can eat apricots as long as they are well washed and have no added sugar.

How many apricots can hamsters eat?

Depending on the breed of hamsters, the amount of apricots they are allowed to eat depends on it.

For example, Syrian hamsters, the largest, always eat the most, while dwarf hamsters are not allowed to eat this fruit at all.

So let’s see which breed of hamsters can eat how many apricots without having side effects.

How many apricots can Syrian hamsters eat?

Syrian hamsters are the largest breed, and they can eat the most apricots, or rather one bite-sized piece of apricot once a week.

You may think that Syrian hamsters can eat more because of their size, but there is no need to take such a risk.

And with this amount of apricots, Syrian hamsters will have super benefits to improve their health and extend their life span.can hamsters eat apricot

How many apricots can Robo hamsters eat?

Robo hamsters are smaller than Syrian hamsters, so they need to eat a smaller amount of apricots.

It is best for Robo-hamsters to eat half a bite-sized piece of apricot once a week.

With this amount of apricots, Robo hamsters will benefit from the nutrients and will certainly be healthier. A larger amount of apricots can only harm them and cause diabetes and obesity.

How many apricots can dwarf hamsters eat?

Dwarf hamsters that include Campbell’s, Chinese and winter white hamsters are not allowed to eat apricots.

Dwarf hamsters cannot eat food that is rich in sugar, their digestive system cannot process a large amount of sugar.

For dwarf hamsters, it is best to eat fruits that do not have so much sugar in their composition.

Can baby hamsters eat apricots?

At the beginning of their life, baby hamsters must not eat apricots, even after a few weeks they can start eating apricots, but before that, you should consult a veterinarian to see how far their development is.

In the first weeks, they should consume only breast milk, water, and food specially designed for their age.

How to start giving hamsters apricots?

Hamsters are very timid by nature, so at first, you have to approach them very carefully, when they have to taste some new food like apricots.

First, wash the apricot well and a very small piece, to begin with, is quite enough for the hamsters to try the taste, to see if they like it.

Our recommendation is that you personally, as the owner, give them an apricot because that way they will have more courage to try and at the same time you will strengthen their confidence with your furry friend.

When you give it to them, see if they like it, next time give them more, and if they don’t like it, don’t give them more of this fruit.

What to do if hamsters eat too many apricots?

If by chance the hamsters suddenly eat too many apricots, you should not panic, most likely nothing terrible will happen to them.

But that does not mean that the same scene should happen again in the future.

In this situation, it is best to give them a larger amount of water, so that they can more easily process the apricots and sugar, which they have in large quantities.

Diarrhea, stomach pains, and similar symptoms may occur as an unwanted phenomenon, but they should pass in 24-48 hours, otherwise, if there is no improvement, take the hamster to a veterinarian.

Nutritional composition of apricots

Here is what the composition of 100 grams of apricots looks like:

  • energy 300 kcal
  • fibers 10 g
  • proteins 3.3 g
  • carbohydrates 73 g
  • sugar 63 g
  • iron 4.8 mg
  • calcium 133 mg
  • sodium 13 mg

As you can see, apricots offer benefits to both humans and hamsters, as long as they are eaten in moderation.can hamsters eat apricot

Benefits of apricots for hamsters

Yes, hamsters can benefit from apricots for their health, as long as they eat them in the right way and in moderation.

Here are some of the benefits:

  • Vitamin C – is the most important vitamin for the health of hamsters, which they cannot produce on their own and must get through food. It provides protection against diseases such as scurvy, easier healing of wounds, and helps to protect against colds, overall is excellent for the health of hamsters.
  • Vitamin A – is a very important vitamin that protects the health of the eyes of hamsters, because they naturally have very poor eyesight, so this vitamin is always welcome.
  • Vitamin E – helps to protect the fur and skin of hamsters, and enables them to have healthy fur and skin.
  • Potassium – is an excellent mineral that helps with heart health in hamsters and protection of the entire cardiovascular system. In addition, potassium also helps in the proper growth and development of muscles in our pets.
  • Fibers – are very important for the health of hamsters, they allow proper digestion of food and fewer stomach problems.
  • Hydration – the presence of water in the apricots allows the hamsters to always be sufficiently hydrated, it is especially important in the summer period, when they need water the most.
  • Anthocyanins – an ingredient that is fortunately found in apricots, and prevents and reduces the occurrence of inflammation in hamsters, which is quite common.
  • Antioxidants – help fight against free radicals that attack healthy cells of hamsters, and can cause cancer. Antioxidants slow down the aging of hamsters and increase their lifespan.
  • Calcium – is a mineral that helps the proper growth and development of bones and teeth in hamsters.

All these benefits are great for our furry friends, we only have to be careful about the amount we give them due to the presence of sugar.

Side effects of apricots for hamsters

Every food has good and bad sides, it’s the same with apricots, if hamsters eat in moderation they will benefit, and if they eat too much then they will have bad effects on their health.

So let’s see what happens if hamsters eat too many apricots:

  • Diabetes – the high amount of sugar in apricots can cause diabetes, which in turn can cause a lot of other diseases for your furry friends.
  • Diarrhea – anything that is eaten in excess is not good for hamsters, nor for us humans, the same is true with apricots, too many apricots will contribute to the occurrence of diarrhea, which is not good at all for our furry friends.
  • Obesity – the sugar in apricots is the main cause of possible weight gain in hamsters. When hamsters gain weight, they have difficulty with movement and balance.
  • lack of nutrients – because if hamsters eat too many apricots, they will not want to eat other food, more precisely, they will lack certain ingredients that they need, which are not in apricots.

Can hamsters eat apricot leaves?

No, hamsters cannot eat apricot leaves, they are toxic and dangerous for them.

Apricot leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide, i.e. poison when ingested by hamsters.

Therefore, keep the hamsters as far away from the apricot leaves as possible, giving them only the fruit.

Can hamsters drink apricot juice?

No, hamsters should not consume apricot juice, it is not nutritious enough for them.

Apricot juice can only be given to them to taste, and it should be squeezed from the apricot itself with the addition of water in a 50-50 ratio.

Otherwise, purchased apricot juices are harmful to hamsters because they have additives that are used to make them last longer, and at the same time they are harmful to their health.

Apricot juice has some nutrients, but much less than the fruit itself, so it is not recommended to give it to hamsters.

Can hamsters eat apricot seeds?

No, hamsters should not eat apricot seeds at all, they are poisonous and harmful to them.

Apricot seeds can also cause hamsters to choke, so stay away from the seeds, always remove the seeds before giving apricots to your hamsters.

Can hamsters eat fresh apricots?

Yes, hamsters can eat fresh apricots, in fact, they are the best for their health.

Fresh ripe apricots have the best nutrients of this fruit and are therefore the most suitable for hamsters to have maximum health benefits.

Just give them moderate amounts and the hamsters will be satisfied and you will be happy watching them eat this dessert.

Can hamsters eat frozen apricots?

Yes, hamsters can eat frozen apricots, because they have the same nutrients as a regular, unfrozen apricot.

The only thing is that before you give them frozen apricots, you must thaw them to room temperature so that they can consume them.

If happen to give them frozen apricots without thawing them, then the hamsters will have stomach problems, they will have diarrhea, stomach pains, and similar symptoms.can hamsters eat apricot

Can hamsters eat green apricots?

No, hamsters should not eat green or unripe apricots.

Unripe apricots can only cause diarrhea in hamsters, their taste is much sourer, and they will certainly not want to eat them.

Only ripe apricots are a good choice for hamsters.

Can hamsters eat dried apricots?

No, hamsters should never eat dried apricots, due to the presence of sugar.

There is 4-5 times more sugar in dried apricots, so you can imagine how harmful and dangerous they are for the health of our furry friends.

Therefore, avoid giving them dried apricots, they will not contribute at all to improving their health.

read more: Can Hamsters Eat Chestnuts?

Can hamsters eat canned apricots?

No, hamsters should not eat canned apricots or any other canned food.

Because canned apricots can be toxic to hamsters, they contain additional ingredients such as preservatives, colors, and sweeteners.

Canned apricots cannot be part of the menu for our furry pets.

read more: Can Hamsters Eat Cinnamon? All You Need To Know

Conclusion

Hamsters can eat apricots but always in moderate amounts to have health benefits such as more energy, better digestion, vision maintenance, healthier bones, and stronger muscles, as well as protection from scurvy and other inflammations and diseases.

If they eat too many apricots, they will have harmful consequences such as diabetes and obesity, diarrhea, and stomach problems.

One small piece of apricot is quite enough for hamsters to enjoy this fruit and has good benefits for their health.

Hamsters can eat the apricot fruit, but they must not eat the apricot seeds and leaves.

read more: Can Hamsters Eat Cookies?