Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:25 pm
In addition to a regular pellet diet and timothy hay, hamsters need to eat a certain amount of fruit to use the nutrients to improve their health.
Have you ever wondered if you should give some hamster fruit to hamsters?
Can hamsters eat dragon fruit? The answer is yes, hamsters can eat dragon fruit, but without the seeds and skin. If they eat this fruit from time to time they will benefit from the nutrients and benefits of dragon fruit.
In today’s article, we will find out how much they can eat, as well as the benefits and risks of dragon fruit for the health of hamsters.
What is a dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit and is becoming increasingly popular around the world.
Dragon fruit originates from Central and South America and Asia and is very tasty to eat, its taste is similar to kiwi and pear.
Its nutrients are welcome for hamsters, as well as for us humans, as long as it is consumed in moderation. By nutrients, we mean vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that are great for hamster health.
Can hamsters eat dragon fruit?
Yes, hamsters can eat dragon fruit, but without seeds or skin, and occasionally because eating this fruit more often is not recommended for them.
Hamsters by eating dragon fruit will use the nutrients to improve their health.
Hamsters can eat dragon fruit with great attention to quantity because moderation is the key to the good health of your furry friends.
Will hamsters want to eat dragon fruit?
Yes, hamsters will want to eat dragon fruit, they will enjoy the taste, and in fact, they will eat as much as you give them.
Although most hamsters will want to eat dragon fruit, a hamster may refuse to eat this fruit.
But this should not discourage you, because there is a large selection of other fruits that your pet will surely want to eat.
How much dragon fruit can hamsters eat?
Depending on the breed and size, it will depend on which hamster is allowed to eat the dragon fruit.
Syrian hamsters as the largest can eat the most dragon fruit, white dwarfs and other small breeds can eat much smaller quantities.
So let’s find out about a few breeds of hamsters, what is the amount they can eat, and what amount is best for their health.
How much dragon fruit can Syrian hamsters eat?
Syrian hamsters are the largest of all, so they can always eat the most dragon fruit, just like any other fruit.
It is best for Syrian hamsters to eat a small piece of dragon fruit once a week.
With this amount, Syrian hamsters will make the best use of nutrients, without having side effects on their health.
How much dragon fruit can Robo hamsters eat?
Robo hamsters are smaller than the Syrian but larger than the dwarf and other smaller breeds of hamsters.
The ideal amount for Robo hamsters is a small piece of dragon fruit once every two weeks.
It may seem small, but still, it is enough for them, and the maximum utilization of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from this fruit.
How much dragon fruit can dwarf hamsters eat?
Dwarf hamsters along with the Campbells and Chinese are the smallest breeds and therefore they should eat very little of the dragon fruit.
Dwarf hamsters should eat a small piece of dragon fruit once a month.
Their digestive system can not process large amounts of this fruit, as well as other foods, but this amount is quite enough to have health benefits.
Can baby hamsters eat dragon fruit?
No, baby hamsters can not eat dragon fruit for the first few weeks of life.
In the first few weeks of life, young hamsters should consume only breast milk, water, and food specifically designed for their age.
Only after a few weeks can they start eating other foods such as dragon fruit, but in very small quantities.
In any case, our recommendation is to first take the hamster to a veterinarian to check how far his development is, and whether he is ready for new challenges in nutrition.
What is the composition of dragon fruit?
To find out exactly what the hamsters will eat, here is what the composition of the 6-ounce dragon fruit cut into cubes looks like:
- calories 102
- protein 2 g
- fiber 5 g
- fat 0 g
- sugar 13 g
- carbohydrates 22 g
- Vitamin C 4 mg
- magnesium 68 mg
- iron 0.1 mg
- calcium 31 mg
As can be seen from the composition of dragon fruit, sugar and calcium are the biggest danger for hamsters, so moderation is key.
What are the benefits of dragon fruit for hamsters?
If hamsters eat dragon fruit in moderation then they will have beneficial health benefits.
Here are some of them:
Vitamin C – is the most important vitamin for hamsters who can not produce it themselves and must enter it through the dragon fruit, as well as through other fruits, vegetables, and the like. Vitamin C helps protect against scurvy and other diseases.
fiber – help for better digestion of hamsters, and greater satiety for a longer period.
iron – for better movement of oxygen in their blood, as well as more energy for your hamster.
Calcium – promotes healthier and stronger bones in hamsters, as long as they eat this fruit in moderation.
better hydration – because dragon fruit has large amounts of water, hamsters will always be sufficiently hydrated and refreshed.
Antioxidants – help protect against the effects of free radicals, as well as prevent cancer and extend the life of hamsters.
What are the side effects of dragon fruit for hamsters?
When hamsters eat more than the allowed amount of dragon fruit, side effects can occur that can harm their health.
Here are some of them:
obesity – too much dragon fruit will mean eating more sugar and calories that will increase his weight, which increases the chances of health problems, as well as problems with coordination and movement of your furry friends.
Diarrhea – will occur as a result of eating too much dragon fruit, but this situation will stabilize in a few hours in your pet.
Kidney and bladder stones – occur because hamsters by eating a lot of dragon fruit will take in more calcium, which their body will not be able to process and will create urinary complications.
diabetes – occurs because the sugar from the dragon fruit will do its thing, of course, if consumed in large quantities, so moderation is very important.
How to properly prepare dragon fruit for hamsters?
First, you need to choose a ripe dragon fruit, it is best eaten by hamsters.
When the color of the fruit is red or yellow it is ripe, and if it is green then it is immature.
The next step is to wash the fruit well, to clean it from any impurities and chemicals that may be present, which are very harmful to their health.
Then you have to peel the skin of the dragon fruit because it is too hard and hamsters should not eat it, Fruit seeds should also be removed, as they are harmful to your furry pets.
The inside of the fruit is the part that hamsters should eat, so give it a small piece and your hamster will enjoy eating it.
If any of the dragon fruit remains uneaten, remove it from the cage, as it will spoil and attract flies, insects, and the like.
How to initially give dragon fruit to hamsters?
When you first give them dragon fruit, you have to do it very carefully.
Hamsters are very timid by nature, which is why we personally recommend that you, as the owner, give him a small amount of dragon fruit.
This way you will only encourage your pet to try it.
Watch his reaction, if he likes it okay, and if he refuses to eat then there is no need to continue giving him this fruit.
What to do if hamsters eat too much dragon fruit?
If hamsters eat too much dragon fruit nothing terrible will happen to them, just be careful that it does not happen to them often.
In such a situation, the most important thing is to react properly, and that is to give them a larger amount of water so that a large amount of this fruit can be digested easier and faster.
When your pet eats too much dragon fruit they may experience diarrhea, stomach aches, and similar symptoms, which should go away in a few hours.
If they do not pass then take your hamster to a veterinarian for appropriate treatment.
Can Hamsters Eat Dragon Fruit Seeds?
No, hamsters can not eat dragon fruit seeds.
Dragon fruit seeds can cause problems for hamsters, including the danger of being strangled.
Another reason not to give dragon fruit seeds is that the seeds of this fruit also contain certain ingredients that are toxic to them.
We recommend that you always carefully remove the seeds from the fruit when offering it to your pets to eat.
Can hamsters eat dragon fruit leaves?
No, hamsters should not eat dragon fruit leaves.
The reason is that there is still no evidence of the effect of the leaves of this fruit on the health of hamsters.
Our recommendation is because we do not know how much and if they are safe for their health, still avoid them, give them only fruit.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Thyme? All You Need To Know
Can hamsters eat dragon skin?
No, hamsters can not eat dragon skin.
The reason is that the skin of the dragon fruit is not suitable for them, it is very difficult to digest in their stomach, and it is too hard, so it should not be given to your pets.
Dragon fruit skin may contain chemicals that are harmful and can only harm your hamster’s health.
It is best to remove the skin and give them only from the inside of the fruit itself, it is best for your furry friends.
read more: Can Hamsters Drink Milk? Benefits and Risks
Conclusion
Dragon fruit is great for hamster health, as long as it is consumed in moderation.
It contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other substances that are welcome for the health of your pet.
By eating dragon fruit hamsters will have stronger and healthier bones, a better digestive system, more energy, and protection from scurvy.
Eating too much of this fruit can lead to diabetes, obesity, kidney and bladder stones, diarrhea, and other side effects.
Due to the sugar, care must be taken to always be in moderation, not to overdo it when your pets eating this food.
Finally, give your hamster small pieces of dragon fruit, and watch how they will enjoy eating this tropical fruit.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Bean Sprouts? All You Need to Know
