Can Hamsters Eat Basil? All You Need To Know -

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:19 pm

Can hamsters eat basil? Yes, hamsters can eat basil, but in moderation, so that they can make the most of the nutrients in the best possible way because if they overeat, they can have side effects on their health.

Basil is a great herb that is good for hamster health and should be included in their diet.

Of course, vegetables should be present about 10% in their diet, and 90% should be pellets and food designed specifically for them.

In today’s article, we will find out how much hamsters should eat basil, as well as its benefits and side effects for the health of your pets.

Table of Contents show

Can hamsters eat basil?

Yes, hamsters can eat basil, they will enjoy eating this herb, they will be delighted and happy.

By eating basil, hamsters will use the nutrients and will have better health and greater resistance to various diseases.

But eating basil should be moderate, not to overdo it, because if hamsters eat too much of this herb can have side effects on their health.

Will hamsters want to eat basil?

Yes, of course, they will want to eat basil, but there is always a chance your hamster will refuse to eat this herb.

Although most hamsters will want to eat basil, your pet may not want to eat it, but that should not disappoint, as there is a large enough selection of vegetables and fruits that can be given to hamsters in their diet.

Although basil has healthy nutrients needed for hamster health, there is honestly no need to force your pet to eat basil if it does not want to, let your pet make the choice.

How to start giving basil to a hamster?

Initially, basil, like any other food, should always be thoroughly washed to remove any pesticides used for its cultivation that are harmful to its health.

It is best to give it from your hands, so hamsters will have more confidence to try new foods because they are very scary by nature.

This way of giving basil, at the same time you will strengthen your relationship with your pet, in the future, he will trust you more every time you try new food.

Then at the beginning, you should give him a small amount of basil, to see his reaction, if everything is fine for 24 hours without any allergies, diarrhea, or something similar you can continue to gradually increase the dose.

If problems arise then you should stop giving him basil, and it is best to consult a veterinarian for further steps.

Nutritional values of basil for hamsters

To find out better what hamsters get when they eat basil, we will show you the nutritional value in half a cup of basil:

calories 10

fat 0 g
magnesium 16 mg
calcium 12 mg

potassium 14 mg
vitamin C 2 mg

Should baby hamsters eat basil?

No baby hamsters should not eat basil, or any other vegetables and fruits.

Until the age of 2-4 months, baby hamsters should only be fed with breast milk, water, and food specifically designed for their age.

Only after a few weeks, new foods, vegetables, and fruits should be slowly introduced, and of course, basil is here, of course, you should consult a veterinarian beforehand.

How much basil should hamsters eat?

Moderate feeding with basil is great for their health, a moderate amount is crucial for how much the hamsters will use the nutrients.

Because if they overdo it by eating basil, then a domino effect will occur, ie side effects will appear, which are not good for their health.

Depending on the breed of hamsters, the quantities recommended for them also vary, so that Syrian hamsters as the largest always have the privilege of eating the most, unlike all other breeds.

How much basil should a Syrian hamster eat?

The Syrian hamster, like most others, can normally eat the most basil.

For maximum effects on his health, the Syrian hamster should eat about 2-3 teaspoons of basil per week, or one tablespoon every two days, never two days in a row.

Their digestive system will make the most of this amount to improve health without adverse effects.

How much basil should a Robo hamster eat?

Because Robo hamsters are smaller than Syrian hamsters, normally the amount of basil provided for them will need to be smaller.

Robo hamsters should eat 2-3 teaspoons of basil but for a period of two weeks.

With this amount, they will get the nutrients, and they will not have harmful consequences for their health.

How much basil should dwarf hamsters eat?

Dwarf hamsters, like Campbell and Chinese hamsters, always eat the least of all other hamster breeds.

Dwarf hamsters need to eat 2-3 teaspoons a month for optimal utilization of basil nutrients, nothing more than that.

It may seem like too little, but their digestive system can not process more than this amount.

What are the health benefits of basil for hamsters?

Basil has a number of benefits for hamsters that should be taken into account in the intake of your pet:

Vitamin C – will help your hamster reduce the chances of developing scurvy, a disease that appears as a lack of enough of this vitamin in their body, this vitamin will contribute to disease protection and better immunity.
better eyesight – with the presence of vitamin A and beta carotene in basil, your hamster will preserve eyesight and eyes, because naturally, they have poor eyesight.
Antioxidants – they are always very important for both us humans and hamsters, enable the fight against free radicals, prolong the life of hamsters and protect them from cancer.

Vitamin A – is an excellent vitamin that will always maintain the level of protection, ie improving the immune system of hamsters.
Magnesium – helps keep blood pressure at a normal level for your furry pet.
Vitamin K – helps for normal blood clotting in hamsters, and better and easier healing of possible wounds, also. helps to have good reproductive health.

Can hamsters eat basil leaves?

Yes, hamsters can safely eat basil leaves.

Of course, before giving them basil leaves, you should first wash them well, to remove any chemicals and impurities from them.

Be careful not to give them too many basil leaves, as this can lead to indigestion.

Can hamsters eat basil flowers?

Yes, hamsters are free to eat basil flowers as well.

After all, hamsters will enjoy eating basil flowers, which are usually sweet-tasting, although sometimes they can be bitter.

Bitter flowers are not their favorite, so they may refuse to consume them. In any case, basil flowers in moderation will help improve the health of hamsters.

Are hamsters allergic to basil?

Most hamsters are not allergic to basil and can enjoy the nutrients of this herb.

A small number of hamsters may be allergic to basil. The best way to check if your hamster is allergic to basil is to give it a small amount of basil and wait 24 hours.

If hamsters have an allergy you should stop giving this herb immediately, and it is best to consult a veterinarian.

Can hamsters eat basil seeds?

Our recommendation is not to give hamsters to eat basil seeds.

Just because we humans eat them, does not mean that your furry pet should eat them.

There is still not enough information about the effects of eating basil seeds, so it is best not to experiment.

Can hamsters eat basil stems?

Yes, hamsters can eat basil stems, and they will enjoy their meal.

Basil stem is a great source of vitamin C, which is extremely important for your pet.

But you should be careful about the amount because, in addition to vitamin C, the stems also contain a lot of calcium, which is harmful to hamsters if consumed in large quantities.

Can hamsters eat fresh basil?

Yes, hamsters can eat fresh basil, in fact, we recommend that you always give them fresh basil.

Fresh basil has the best amounts of nutrients beneficial to your pet’s health.

Basil when fresh is much easier to digest in the hamster’s stomach, which is another important advantage for your hamster, but in moderation.

Can hamsters eat dried basil?

Yes, hamsters can eat dried basil, it is safe for their health.

Our recommendation is to give them dried basil occasionally, not too often like fresh basil.

Of course, you as the owner just need to make sure there are no added preservatives or any other additives that could harm the hamster’s health.

Can hamsters eat sweet basil?

The answer is yes, hamsters can also eat sweet basil.

Of course, all attention should be directed to you in moderation, never give them more than the required amount of sweet basil, so that they do not have side effects and health problems.

What are the side effects of basil on hamster health?

Like any food, basil has its pros and cons, but it depends mostly on the amount that the hamsters eat. Therefore, if you overdo it with the amount you give him, the following negative effects on their health can occur:

obesity – eating too much basil can lead to weight gain, which can eventually lead to diabetes.

Fewer nutrients – Although basil has healthy nutrients, if your hamsters eat too much of this herb alone, your hamster will not want to eat other foods that have nutrients not found in basil.
Digestive problems – occur if hamsters eat too much basil and have stomach problems, diarrhea, and other digestive problems.
Urinary complications – if hamsters eat too much basil they can lead to urinary complications due to the presence of too much calcium.

What are the healthy alternatives to basil in a hamster diet?

As we said at the beginning, hamsters like to eat basil, but there can always be exceptions, if your hamster does not want to eat this herb, there are always alternatives:

spinach
artichoke

broccoli
carrot
green beans

cucumber
pumpkin
celery

tomato
sweet potato
parsley

mint
beets

Conclusion

Basil is a great herb for hamster health, which will offer excellent nutrients to improve their health.

Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants are great for hamsters, they will help your pet have healthier blood, heart, normal blood pressure, and other benefits.

Side effects occur only if you overdo it with the amount you give to hamsters, then there may be digestive problems, urinary diseases, allergies, diarrhea, obesity, and the like.

As long as you give hamsters moderate amounts of basil they will have great health benefits for their health and life.