Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:11 pm
Hamsters can eat different types of food in their diet, among which certain plants find their place. Surely when you see lavender in front of you, you wonder if you should give some to your hamster too.
Can hamsters eat lavender?
Yes, hamsters can eat lavender and reap the health benefits, but it should always be given in moderation. Lavender offers many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that are welcome for hamsters. Lavender also contains limonene, a phytochemical to improve the secretion of liver enzymes in our furry friends.
In today’s article, we will find out how much lavender hamsters can eat and the benefits and risks of this plant for our pets.
What is lavender?
Lavender is a flowering plant from the mint family; it originates in Europe and is grown worldwide.
Lavender has a lighter purple color and contains nutrients that are good for human and hamster health.
It has a very specific smell and a beautiful appearance, which is why it is used for decorations, cooking, and spices.
Nowadays, lavender is increasingly used for medicinal purposes, which increases its value and popularity even more.
Can hamsters eat lavender?
Yes, hamsters can eat lavender, but always in moderate amounts so that they don’t have side effects on their health.
Hamsters can eat lavender because it is entirely safe for them and get the minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, making them healthier and have a longer life span.
Lavender should always be nicely washed and clean without impurities so our furry friends can safely enjoy this plant.
Will hamsters like to eat lavender?
Yes, hamsters will love to eat lavender, although a number of them will refuse to eat this plant.
The specific and robust smell of lavender can cause your hamster to refuse to eat this plant.
If your hamster refuses to eat lavender, don’t worry, there are several other herbs that he will love to eat, such as parsley, sage, basil, and others.
How much lavender can hamsters eat?
Hamsters, depending on their breed, depending how much lavender they can eat.
Syrian hamsters, as the largest, can always eat the most, while dwarf hamsters can eat lavender the least.
So let’s see which breed and how much they can eat from this plant.
How much lavender can Syrian hamsters eat?
Syrian hamsters are the largest and strongest breed so they can eat the most significant amount of lavender.
Syrian hamsters can eat one teaspoon of lavender twice weekly for the best health benefits.
With this amount, they will absorb the lavender nutrients in the best possible way without having side effects on their health.
How much lavender can Robo-hamsters eat?
Robo hamsters are slightly smaller than Syrians, so they can eat a teaspoon of lavender once a week.
Although it may seem small, it is still totally enough for them to benefit from vitamins and minerals for their health.
Giving them large amounts of lavender can only have the opposite effect and harm their health.
How much lavender can dwarf hamsters eat?
Dwarf hamsters include Campbells, and Chinese and Russian hamsters are the smallest breed and always eat the smallest amount of lavender or any other food.
Dwarf hamsters can eat one teaspoon of lavender once a month, so they don’t have health problems.
This breed of hamster has a very delicate digestive system and cannot process a large amount of lavender. But even this tiny amount is enough to have benefits for improving health and a longer life span.
Can baby hamsters eat lavender?
Baby hamsters should not eat lavender for the first few weeks of their lives.
In the beginning, they can only consume breast milk, water, and food specially designed for their age.
Only after prior consultation with the veterinarian can they start introducing other types of food, such as lavender.
How to start giving lavender to hamsters?
Hamsters are very timid animals by nature, so you, as the owner, should encourage them to try this plant, so it is best to give them from your hand first.
In this way, the hamsters will more easily dare to try lavender, and you will strengthen mutual trust, which will help you in the future when he needs to try some new food.
Before you start giving them lavender, you must wash it well so that there are no impurities and chemicals that can harm the hamster.
Give your hamster a small piece of lavender to see if he likes it, if he likes it next time give him more; otherwise if he doesn’t want to eat don’t give him lavender; he doesn’t need to eat something he doesn’t like.
Benefits of lavender for hamsters
If hamsters eat moderate amounts of lavender, they will have excellent health benefits.
Here are some of them:
- Vitamin A – is an excellent vitamin that improves vision in hamsters, who naturally have very poor eyesight, so this vitamin is essential for them.
- Calcium – is a mineral that helps improve and develop bones and teeth in hamsters. A lack of calcium can only cause brittleness of their bones when falling and when injured.
- Antioxidants – help fight free radicals that attack healthy cells in hamsters. With the action of antioxidants, hamsters get protection from cancer, reduce the aging process and extend their life span.
- Phytochemicals – they have an ingredient called limonene which with its action, helps to improve the secretion of digestive enzymes in the liver. Phytochemicals also help to detoxify the hamster’s body of carcinogenic substances or cleanse it of toxic substances.
- Iron – helps to improve the blood in hamsters, better flow of oxygen through their blood, protection from anemia and easier healing of wounds.
- Healthy skin – with its ingredients, lavender contributes to hamsters having healthier skin and fur.
- Anti-inflammation – because lavender contains polysaccharides that help hamsters cope more easily with various inflammations to which they are often exposed.
Apart from these benefits, lavender also helps calm and relax hamsters’ muscles, allowing them to sleep better.
The smell of lavender is good against insects because they will run away from the scent itself, making the hamsters safer and happier.
Side effects of lavender for hamsters
Moderation is the key to good health for hamsters, and it’s the same for us humans.
If hamsters overeat lavender, the following side effects may occur:
- Diarrhea: from overeating lavender and the inability of their digestive system to work usually.
- Stomach aches: too much lavender will not be quickly processed in the hamster’s stomach.
- Kidney stones: too much lavender will mean too much calcium and kidney stones.
What to do if hamsters overeat lavender?
If the hamsters overeat lavender, you should not panic, nothing terrible will happen to them, but of course, this does not mean that the same thing should be repeated in the future.
In this situation, giving them a more significant amount of water is best so that the food in their stomach can be processed more easily.
Diarrhea and stomach pains may occur, but they should pass for 24-48 hours.
If the situation does not improve, you should take your pet to the vet to examine him and, if necessary, give him appropriate therapy.
Can hamsters eat dried lavender?
Dried lavender is generally safe for hamsters to eat, but always in small amounts.
Dried lavender has a strong scent that may not appeal to all hamsters.
The nutrients in dried lavender are just as good for hamster health as they are in fresh lavender.
Can hamsters eat lavender leaves?
Lavender leaves are safe for hamsters to eat in moderation.
Lavender leaves contain vitamins and minerals that are excellent for their health.
They may or may not like the smell, it is individual, but generally, hamsters do not like the smell of this herb.
Can hamsters eat lavender flowers?
Yes, hamsters can eat lavender flowers; they are entirely safe.
Lavender flowers have nutrients that will make your hamster healthier and happier.
Lavender flowers are also beneficial for hamsters’ nervous system; they help them to be calmer and free from stress, and they will sleep more peacefully.
Read more: Can Hamsters Eat Rose Petals?
Is lavender essential oil suitable for hamsters?
Lavender essential oil is rich in phytochemicals such as:
- tannins
- linalool
- linalyl acetate
- caryophyllene
However, the lavender essential oil is not too interesting for hamsters because the smell of this oil will not appeal to your furry friends.
After all, lavender essential oil does not have nutrients like the plant itself, so there is no need to insist that they use it.
Read more: Can Hamsters Eat Clover? All Benefits And Risks
Conclusion
Hamsters can eat lavender quite safely, but you must always pay attention to the amount; it should never be excessive.
If they eat moderate amounts, the hamsters will have better vision, bones, and blood, be calmer, and sleep better. If they overeat lavender, they will have diarrhea and stomach problems.
A teaspoon of lavender weekly is enough for hamsters to get the best possible health benefits.
Although hamsters do not like too much the lavender smell, we hope your pet will like to eat this excellent plant.
Read more: Can Hamsters Eat Thyme? All You Need To Know
