Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:26 pm
Cranberry is a fruit that is very popular all over the world and is often consumed. We, humans, enjoy eating cranberries, but what about our furry friends, can they eat this fruit too?
Can hamsters eat cranberries? The answer is yes and no because Syrian and Robo hamsters can, and dwarf hamsters can not eat cranberries, mostly because of the large amount of sugar in cranberries, which can cause diabetes.
But let’s see in today’s article how much they can, what are the benefits, and what are the risks of this fruit for hamsters.
What is cranberry?
Cranberry is a fruit with a round shape, red color, and slightly sour taste.
Cranberry grows on vines and is most common in North America and South Canada.
Due to the presence of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients, there are good benefits for the health of humans and our hamsters.
Can hamsters eat cranberries?
As we said at the beginning hamsters can and can not eat cranberries.
Syrian and Robo hamsters can eat in moderation, while smaller breeds can not due to the presence of sugar in the composition of this fruit.
Moderation is very important for hamsters to get the most out of their nutrients by eating cranberries.
Will hamsters want to eat cranberries?
Yes, hamsters or most of them will want to eat cranberries.
Because of its sour and bitter taste, hamsters can eat or refuse to eat this interesting fruit.
But if your hamster does not want to eat cranberries, there is no need to be disappointed, because in nature there is a large selection of other fruits that your furry pet will want to eat.
How to give cranberries to hamsters?
If you have a Syrian or Robo hamster then you can give it a cranberry, and it is best to start giving it directly from your hand.
Because hamsters are by nature scary, when you personally give them a cranberry they will have more courage to try to eat.
In addition, this way you will strengthen the mutual trust between you and your hamster, and in the future, they will trust you more when they need to try new foods.
When you give him a cranberry, wait until you see his reaction, if he wants to eat right, and if he refuses then stop giving them a cranberry.
How to prepare cranberries for hamsters?
First and foremost, it is always nice to wash the cranberry with water.
This is done to remove impurities and any chemicals used to grow the cranberry. If you are able it is best to buy or find an organic cranberry, which will reduce the presence of chemicals.
Chemicals are very harmful to hamsters and can cause health problems. The next thing is to cut the berry in half and give it to the hamsters.
If cranberry residue remains, you should remove it, as it will cause flies and other bugs to appear.
How much cranberry can hamsters eat?
Hamsters, depending on their size and breed, differ in the amount they can eat.
Syrian and Robo hamsters can eat cranberries as big ones, while small ones can not.
As we said, only Syrian and Robo hamsters can consume cranberries due to the presence of large amounts of sugar.
But let’s see how much these two groups of hamsters can eat to benefit their health.
How much cranberry can Syrian hamsters eat?
Syrian hamsters as the largest always have the honor of eating the most cranberries or any other food.
In addition to the Syrian hamsters is the fact that they can tolerate more sugar and have less chance of developing diabetes and gaining weight.
It is best for their health to eat 2 cranberries in a week, or one on 2-3 days and not be two days in a row.
How many cranberries can Robo hamsters eat?
Robo hamsters are smaller than Syrian ones but still larger than a dwarf and other smaller breeds of hamsters.
It is ideal for Robo hamsters to eat one cranberry a week.
It does seem small, but it is still enough to be able to make the most of the benefits of this fruit, without having harmful effects on their health.
Can dwarf hamsters eat cranberries?
No, dwarfs and other small breeds such as Campbells and Chinese hamsters should not eat cranberries.
Their digestive system is much more specific and can only have harmful effects from cranberries.
Due to the high sugar content, if dwarf hamsters eat cranberries they can only get diabetes and gain weight.
Can baby hamsters eat cranberries?
Hamster babies can eat cranberries but only after a few weeks of their lives.
In the beginning, they should use only breast milk, water, and food specially designed for their age.
After a few weeks of their life, you can give them a piece of cranberry once a month.
Of course, we recommend that before you start giving them cranberries or any other food, you first consult a veterinarian to check how far your baby hamster is developing and whether he is ready to introduce dietary innovations.
What are the nutritional values of cranberry
In 50 grams of cranberry there are:
- calories 23
- sugar 2.1 g
- fiber 1.8 g
- protein 0.25 g
- vitamin C 6 mg
- calcium 4 mg
- potassium 40 mg
- phosphorus 6 mg
- fat 0.05 g
As can be seen from its composition, cranberry contains good nutrients, but sugar is the biggest problem in this fruit for the health of hamsters.
What are the benefits of cranberries for hamsters?
If Siberian and Robo hamsters eat cranberries in small quantities, they can have health benefits.
Here are some of them:
- vitamin C – which is contained in cranberries, is one of the most important vitamins for hamsters because they can not produce it themselves, and prevents the appearance of scurvy. Vitamin C also helps to improve the immunity of your furry pets.
- fiber – cranberries are rich in fiber that allows better digestion and generally have a better digestive system.
- stronger bones – because cranberries contain potassium, which helps build bones and strengthen them in hamsters.
- antioxidants – are very important in the fight against free radicals and prevent cancer in hamsters, at the same time slowing down their aging and increasing their lifespan.
- better eyesight – because cranberries contain substances that help improve the vision of hamsters, which is especially important for these pets that naturally have very poor eyesight.
- better oral health – because the ingredients in cranberries help prevent various problems and gum disease in hamsters.
- healthy liver – because cranberries contain antifungals and antiviral properties, which help cleanse the liver of toxins.
- normal blood pressure – with the help of polyphenols cranberry helps maintain normal blood pressure levels and prevents possible cardiovascular problems in hamsters.
What are the side effects of cranberries for hamsters?
If hamsters eat more than the required amount of cranberries they will have side effects on their health.
Here are some of them:
- obesity – occurs because sugar is present in large quantities in cranberries, which can cause obesity and hamster problems.
- stomach problems – occur in hamsters if they overeat cranberries due to the acidity of this fruit, which can damage the lining of the stomach walls of your pet.
- liver problems – because cranberry seeds have a lot of fat which, when deposited, leads to the fattening of the liver in hamsters.
- diabetes – is another problem that occurs as a result of a large amount of sugar in the composition of cranberries, so you must strictly pay attention to the amount you give to your hamsters.
Particularly small hamsters such as dwarfs, Campbells, and Chinese hamsters are prone to diabetes when they ingest a lot of sugar.
Are hamsters allergic to cranberries?
No, hamsters are not allergic to cranberries.
While hamsters eat cranberries in moderation it is completely safe for their health.
However, just in case, the first time you try to give a cranberry, watch your pets for a period of 24 hours, to see if they will have any side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or similar.
If they occur, stop giving them cranberries.
Can hamsters eat cranberry leaves?
No, hamsters should not eat cranberry leaves.
The reason is that the cranberry leaves have a bitter taste and they will not like it.
You can try giving them cranberry leaves but most hamsters will certainly refuse to eat them.
Can hamsters eat cranberry stems?
No, hamsters should not eat cranberry stems.
The cranberry stem is not at all beneficial for their health in terms of nutrients and the stem itself is not suitable for eating.
So stick to fresh cranberry fruit it is the best choice.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Coconut?
Can hamsters eat cranberry skin?
Yes, hamsters can eat cranberries with skin it is completely safe as long as they are given in the right way.
The correct way to give cranberries to the skin is to wash them thoroughly before eating. Organic cranberries in this regard are a much safer option for your pet.
Because cranberry skin can easily contain chemicals that are harmful to the health of your pet.
Can hamsters eat cranberry seeds?
Yes, hamsters can eat cranberry seeds, they are safe for them.
Cranberry seeds are very soft and the hamster’s digestive system can handle them and process them more easily.
The only thing to pay attention to is the amount because cranberry seeds also contain oil with a lot of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that should not be given to hamsters in large quantities.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Pumpkin Seeds? Benefits and Risks
Can hamsters drink cranberry juice?
No, hamsters should not drink cranberry juice, it is harmful to their health.
Because cranberry juice contains added sugar and preservatives that are usually found in juice bought in markets, all these ingredients are very harmful to the body.
The processing of the juice itself reduces the nutrients, especially the cranberry juice, so fresh fruit is always the best choice for your pet.
Can hamsters eat cranberry jam?
Cranberry jam is another product that is harmful to hamsters and should be avoided from their menu.
Cranberry jam again has a lot of added sugar which is harmful to them, and the processing of cranberry jam itself reduces the nutritional value of this fruit.
Added sugar can only cause problems for diabetics and obese hamsters.
Can hamsters eat cranberry sauce?
No, hamsters should not eat cranberry sauce.
Again the main reason is the added sugar as well as other additives used to make this sauce.
It may look delicious and beautiful, but cranberry sauce is not the right choice for your furry friends.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat French Fries? All You Need To Know
Can hamsters eat dried cranberries?
Yes, hamsters can eat dried cranberries, but care must be taken in their selection.
It is best to give them organic dried cranberries, without added sugars and other chemicals which as we said are extremely harmful to their health.
We must mention that the dried cranberry during the processing process loses some of its nutrients, fresh cranberry is of the greatest benefit in this regard for hamsters.
Can hamsters eat cranberry jelly?
No, hamsters should not eat cranberry jelly at all, it is harmful to their health.
Hamsters should not eat homemade jelly, much less purchased cranberry jelly.
Cranberry jelly has too much sugar, and will not really benefit hamsters, it can only cause diabetes, weight gain, and other problems in your pet.
Can hamsters eat canned cranberries?
No, hamsters should never eat canned cranberries or any canned food at all.
Canned cranberries are bad for their health because they contain sugar and chemicals that can be used for canning.
Canned cranberries prepared in this way are harmful to the digestive system of your pet and can only cause them a lot of problems.
Can hamsters eat frozen cranberries?
Yes, hamsters can eat frozen cranberries but only when they have been thawed.
Cold and frozen cranberries are harmful to them, to the digestion and digestive system of hamsters.
That is why cranberries must first be thawed at room temperature before being given to your furry friends to eat.
However, our recommendation is always fresh cranberries and generally fresh fruits and vegetables to eat for hamsters, it is a better choice.
Conclusion
Hamsters can eat cranberries, but in moderation due to a large amount of sugar in this fruit.
Syrian and Robo hamsters can, but dwarfs and other smaller breeds of hamsters should not eat cranberries
If consumed in moderation they will reap the benefits of its nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants in the best way.
By eating cranberries, hamsters will have healthier bones, better eyesight, better digestion, protection from many diseases, and other benefits.
Excessive consumption of this fruit can only lead to diabetes, obesity, and digestive problems.
Lastly, give your pet cranberries but always in the right way and in moderation.
