Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:16 pm
Wondering if hamsters can eat bread? Yes, they can eat bread, but in moderation, in order to get the most out of it, without harming their health.
Although the main food of hamsters should be cereals, plant seeds, commercial food mixes, still 10% of the diet should be from other foods. In any case, not all bread has the same composition, so some are good, some are not so healthy for hamsters.
Bread is simple food made from flour and water, although different pieces of bread have additives that make it better or worse for the health of both humans and hamsters.
In today’s article, we will find out how much bread is, what kind of bread, benefits, side effects, and other facts about eating bread by your furry pet.
How much bread should hamsters eat?
We, humans, eat a lot of bread, but hamsters can not eat such large quantities, they should eat in small quantities, although they are greedy, they will want to eat much more.
It is best to give a piece of bread twice a week to give hamsters a bite, this amount is the safest for them and their health, and always be careful not to give them two days in a row.
When giving him bread, give him more than the crust because it is crunchy, and they will enjoy it, also avoid white bread, give him rye bread, because it is a healthier option for your furry pets.
The Syrian hamster, as the largest, of course, should eat the most bread, ie two pieces a week, while the dwarf hamster should eat half the amount of the Syrian hamster and only once a week.
How to give bread to hamsters?
Giving bread to hamsters is very simple, break a piece of bread, maybe from the middle or the soft part, and not bad and a little of the crunchy crust, which they will like more.
When you first give bread to your pet, watch it for 12-24 hours to see if there will be any side effects, if everything is fine you can gradually include it in his diet.
It is very important that the bread is fresh because any old moldy bread can be very dangerous to their health and even cause fatal consequences, including the death of your pet.
White or rye bread for hamsters?
White bread as mentioned above in the article should be avoided, it has a lot of starch, which unfortunately can be very dangerous for the health of hamsters. It can cause tooth decay and help your sweet pet gain weight.
Hamsters can become bloated, but only if you give them too much bread, so stick to the recommended amount.
Rye bread may not be as popular as white bread, but on the other hand, it has many more benefits for hamsters, so it should be practiced more in their diet.
It has much less starch or sugar and is, therefore, a healthier option for hamsters than white bread.
Can young hamsters eat bread?
Unlike older hamsters, young hamsters should avoid eating bread, as it is much more difficult for them to digest such food.
In young hamsters, bread yeast is very risky because it can create gas in the stomach, which can lead to bloating, nausea, vomiting, food refusal, and similar problems.
Therefore, when the young hamsters are older, only then can you try to give them bread, and until then avoid such heavy food for their body.
Can hamsters eat bread crackers?
Yes, hamsters are free to eat bread crackers, in fact, they will enjoy eating them because they are crunchy. Bread crackers will help hamsters sharpen their teeth, which is very important for hamsters.
Since bread crackers with their composition can not offer many nutrients, give them crackers but not often, mostly because of a change in diet and because of the curiosity of hamsters.
Benefits of bread for hamsters
There are many benefits to including bread in your hamster’s diet, of course as we have already said only if it is eaten in moderation, it is most important for hamsters.
- Fiber for better hamster health- eating bread for hamsters will improve their fiber intake, which will allow them to have a better metabolism and more energy. Fiber will successfully prevent colon problems and is excellent in preventing constipation.
- Proteins- because bread also contains protein, it will contribute to better muscle development of your pet, proteins are what builds muscle. Hamsters will have much stronger muscles, which will allow them to move better and be more stable in coordinating movements.
- Calcium- calcium has a good amount in bread, which will help your hamster have much stronger and healthier bones, teeth and will affect the growth and development of their body.
- Iron- by eating bread, your pet will have a much better level of iron, which will help maintain the value of hemoglobin, which is vital for the transport of oxygen in the blood.
- Folate- folate plays a very important role when it comes to improving and developing blood cells in hamsters. Because when your pet has healthy blood cells, it will help him to have an excellent supply of oxygen, as well as easier removal of all toxins from the body.
What are the side effects of eating bread on hamsters?
Side effects occur if you give him too much bread, more than the recommended amount for him. Weight gain and diabetes can be caused by the sugar in bread. Gaining weight can cause heart and circulation problems in your furry pet, so be very careful with the amount.
If hamsters hide pieces of bread especially the bread crust if it is found in their pouches near the cheeks, it can cause sores, especially if the bread crust is very sharp.
Because the texture of the bread is quite sticky, there is a risk of ending a piece of bread in the trachea, which can choke your pet, which is another reason to be careful about the amount you give him.
A healthy alternative to bread for hamsters?
You have probably concluded from today’s article that bread, especially white bread, is not so healthy for your pet, so it may be best to give him other foods that are much healthier for them.
For example, you can give:
- spinach
- basil
- asparagus
- celery
- green beans
- cucumber
- cabbage
- pumpkin
- broccoli
- tomatoes
- sweet potato
- cauliflower
- parsley
- carrot
Conclusion
Hamsters can eat bread, but in moderation, so that they can make the most of its benefits without harming their health.
Although there are not many benefits, bread still contains nutrients that are good for hamster health such as protein, calcium, iron, and other ingredients.
The sugar in bread is the biggest opponent for the health of hamsters, so you must be careful about the amount you give to hamsters. Twice a week a small piece of bread preferably rye or brown bread is an ideal dose for your pet.
Finally, bread can be given to hamsters to eat, with great care and strict observance of the amount provided for them.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Lettuce? (Benefits and Risks)
Can Hamsters Eat Blueberries? Benefits and risks
Can hamsters eat cheese? (Benefits And Risks)
