Can Hamsters Eat Cherries? Benefits and Risks -

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:23 pm

Hamsters are small pets that are very interesting, but at the same time very fragile.

They have a delicate digestive system, so we have to be careful what food we give them to eat because they can not eat literally everything.

Often when we eat cherries we wonder if we should give a little to our furry pet?

Can hamsters eat cherries? The answer is yes, hamsters can eat cherries, but we must be careful about the amount we give them. By eating cherries, hamsters will benefit from vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients that are good for their health.

In today’s article, we will learn more about whether cherries are good for hamsters, how much they can eat, and all the benefits and risks of eating and introducing this fruit into their diet.

Table of Contents show

What are cherries?

Cherries are a really tasty fruit that hardly anyone can resist.

Cherries are found everywhere, in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world.

There are sweet and sour cherries according to their taste.

The United States, Turkey, and other countries have the most cherries, or about 2 million tons of cherries are grown every year.

Cherries are used in the preparation of various types of food, for making cherry pie, cherry juice, ice cream, and the like.

Can hamsters eat cherries?

Yes, hamsters can eat cherries, they are safe for them but in moderation.

Hamsters will enjoy eating this sweet treat, they will be a great dessert, which they should eat occasionally, in addition to other foods.

As long as they eat moderately hamsters will have benefits, and if they overdo it then there can be side effects on their health.

Will hamsters want to eat cherries?

Yes, hamsters will love to eat cherries, the sweet taste of cherries is something they can not resist.

Most breeds of hamsters will want to eat cherries, although there may always be an exception, ie a small number of our furry pets may refuse to eat cherries.

But if your hamster does not want to eat cherries, there is no need to be disappointed, because if he does not like cherries, there is a large selection of other fruits that they will want to eat.

How do initially give cherries to hamsters?

Our recommendation is always that you, as the owner, let them try cherries.

The reason is that hamsters are still very scary by nature, so you need to approach your pet with cherries very carefully.

Giving cherries to your pet personally will at the same time encourage the hamster to try to eat them, and on the other hand will strengthen the trust between you and your pet, which will mean that in the future it will be much easier to want to try new foods or fruits.

If he refuses to eat, then stop giving him cherries, because it makes no sense to force him to eat something he does not like.

How to prepare cherries for hamsters?

Preparing cherries for hamsters is one of the most important things, as it makes a difference in how they affect their diet and health.

First, you need to wash the cherries very well, that is always the most important step in their preparation.

With a nice and thorough wash, you will remove the impurities and possible pesticides used for their cultivation, which are very harmful to your pet.

Cherries should be given fresh, without any additional additives like sugar or anything like that.

Cherry seeds must be removed, they are harmful, hamsters can not eat them, and they can only cause problems such as suffocation.

Cherries should be soft and sweet, hamsters do not like to eat sour cherries.

After giving them cherries for the first time, wait 24 hours to see if they will have a reaction such as allergies, diarrhea, or the like.

If all goes well, continue to add cherries to their menu, otherwise, in case of adverse reactions, consult a veterinarian for further steps.

How many cherries should hamsters eat?

Hamsters depending on their size and breed eat different amounts of cherries, in order to have the best benefits for their health without harmful consequences.

For example, Syrian hamsters as the largest can eat the most, and dwarf hamsters can eat the least cherries.

So let’s see in more detail which breed of hamsters and how many cherries to eat.

How many cherries should Syrian hamsters eat?

Syrian hamsters as the largest have the honor to eat the most cherries, after all, they can always eat the most of any food.

Syrian hamsters should eat one teaspoon of cherries a week.

With this amount, Syrian hamsters will make the most of the benefits of this fruit, without having any side effects on their health.

How many cherries should Robo hamsters eat?

Robo hamsters are slightly smaller than Syrian hamsters, but they are larger than dwarf hamsters.

Ideal for Robo hamsters is to eat a teaspoon of cherries every two weeks.

This may seem like a small amount, but it is still enough for them to get the maximum amount of nutrients in a safe way.

How many cherries should dwarf hamsters eat?

Dwarf hamsters along with Chinese and Campbell hamsters are the smallest breeds and therefore they always eat the least cherries or some other food.

It is best for them to eat one teaspoon of cherries a month, or 4 weeks and 1/4 of a teaspoon.

It is a very small amount but their digestive system is very fragile and can not process large amounts of food.

What are the benefits of cherries for hamsters?

As we said at the beginning, cherries are a delicious and healthy fruit with great benefits for the health of your furry pet.

If hamsters eat in moderation they will reap the following benefits:

Vitamin A – helps maintain vision in hamsters, who naturally have very poor eyesight.
Vitamin C – is one of the most important vitamins for hamster health which is important for immunity, general health improvement, and protection against scurvy (vitamin C deficiency).

against arthritis – cherries have anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent arthritis or inflammation of the joints, especially in hamsters older than 2 years.
Potassium – is an excellent mineral in the composition of cherries that allows for regulating blood pressure in the body of hamsters.
Antioxidants – are important for the prevention of cancer in hamsters, because they fight free radicals, and at the same time protect them from premature aging.

fiber – is always welcome for hamsters, because they help digestion and improve their overall digestive system.
Vitamin K – is a mineral that is great for improving blood health for your hamsters.

What are the side effects of cherries for hamsters?

Any food, and here is the cherry, if you eat too much of it can have negative risks to the health of your furry pet.

If hamsters eat too many cherries, the following health effects may occur:

diarrhea – can occur if hamsters overeat cherries.
obesity – too many cherries mean consuming too much sugar in hamsters, which can cause obesity, which is certainly not healthy for them, and will ultimately shorten their lifespan.

diabetes – again sugar is the cause of diabetes in hamsters, so be careful in moderation when giving them this sweet fruit.
Digestive problems – Too many cherries can cause digestive problems in hamsters.
Nutrient deficiency – can occur if hamsters are fed up with too many cherries, so they will not want to eat other foods that contain substances that are not in the cherries.

Can baby hamsters eat cherries?

No, baby hamsters can not and should not eat cherries.

Until a few weeks have passed since their birth, small hamsters should use only breast milk, water, and food specifically designed for their age.

Only after some time should they get acquainted with new foods, including cherries.

Our recommendation is that before you start giving them cherries, you should consult a veterinarian to check how far the development and growth of the baby hamster is and whether it is ready for new challenges in nutrition.

Can hamsters eat sweet cherries?

Yes, hamsters can eat sweet cherries, in fact, our recommendation is to always give these cherries to your pets.

The sweet cherry will offer them the best nutrients, and of course, they will like the taste of the sweet cherry, the hamsters will be very happy when they consume them.

Can hamsters drink cherry juice?

No, hamsters are best not to drink cherry juice.

In fact, hamsters should not drink juice from any fruit, stick to fresh fruit it is best for them.

Cherry juice does not have the same nutrients as fresh fruit and can cause your pet to become dehydrated.

Can hamsters eat sour cherries?

No, hamsters should not eat sour cherries, because they are very sour.

Hamsters are not accustomed to eating sour food, it can only cause them digestive problems and diarrhea.

Your pets still love to eat sugary foods.

Can hamsters eat cherry pie?

No, hamsters can not eat cherry pie.

Cherry pie contains many additives and sugars that can only harm his health.

Fresh cherries are always the best and most delicious choice for your furry pets.

Can hamsters eat cherry pits?

No, hamsters can not eat cherry pits.

Cherry pits are harmful to hamster health because they contain a small amount of cyanide.

So always make sure you remove the pits before giving cherries to your furry pets.

Can hamsters eat dried cherries?

No, hamsters should not eat dried cherries unless they don’t have added sugar, and only then can they eat them.

The problem is that dried cherries have too much-added sugar which is too bad for their health.

Dried cherries can cause obesity and diabetes in your furry friends.

Also, due to the sugar, dried cherries can stick to their cheeks and can be an additional problem.

Can hamsters eat cherry seeds?

No, hamsters can not and must not eat cherry seeds.

Cherry seeds are very dangerous especially if the hamsters swallow them, it can only cause stomach problems and there is a danger of suffocation.

That is why you must always carefully remove the cherry seeds before giving them to your furry pet.

Conclusion

Cherries are a delicious and sweet fruit that hamsters will love to eat.

As long as they eat cherries in moderation, hamsters will make the most of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients to improve their health.

Excessive eating of cherries can lead to diabetes, obesity, and reduced life expectancy.

Finally, cherries are a fruit that will make hamsters happy, but you should always be careful about the amount you give them.