Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:27 pm
Our hamsters want us to take care of them, give them regular food, play, and pay enough attention to them to feel happy and pleasant.
As for food, we must be careful to give them the right amounts and nutrients to improve their health.
When we eat mushrooms, we wonder if we should give them to our hamsters as well?
Can hamsters eat mushrooms? Yes, hamsters can eat mushrooms as long as you give them in moderation to reap the benefits without any harmful consequences.
In today’s article, you will find out how many mushrooms hamsters can eat and the benefits and risks they can have for their health.
What are mushrooms?
Mushrooms are fungi that grow above the ground and are quite popular, and they are used in adding to many dishes. Mushrooms have been used as food and medicine for thousands of years.
Hundreds of different types of mushrooms can be eaten, and with their nutrients and great taste, both humans and hamsters will like them.
With their vitamins, minerals, proteins and antioxidants, mushrooms benefit humans’ and hamsters’ health.
Mushrooms, with their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, are great for improving immunity and protecting against cancer.
Can hamsters eat mushrooms?
Yes, hamsters can eat mushrooms, but always in moderation to reap the benefits of nutrients without any side effects.
Mushrooms need to be properly prepared to be healthy and useful for hamsters.
They should be thoroughly washed so that they do not contain impurities and chemicals harmful to hamsters.
To eat mushrooms safely, hamsters need to eat cooked mushrooms, unsalted, and without other cooking additives.
Portobello, white, and button mushrooms are a great choice for your furry friends, and certainly the safest mushrooms for them.
Will hamsters want to eat mushrooms?
Yes, most hamsters will want to eat mushrooms, like their taste, and entice them to eat and enjoy eating.
However, we must mention that there can always be an exception, i.e., one of the hamsters does not want to eat mushrooms, which is completely normal, and we humans, just like hamsters, want to eat some food; also we do not want some.
So give your hamster a small number of mushrooms to see if he likes it or not.
How to give mushrooms to your hamster?
When a hamster needs to try mushrooms for the first time, our recommendation is that you personally, as the owner, give him some to try, to see if he likes them or not.
In this way, the hamster will find it easier to try new foods because he is naturally timid, and at the same time you will strengthen the trust between you and your furry pet.
Give him a small amount to try mushrooms and see if he likes them; if he likes them next time give him more, and if he refuses to eat then do not give him more.
How many mushrooms should hamsters eat?
In terms of the amount you should give your hamsters, it depends on the breed of hamsters.
For example, Syrian hamsters as the largest breed, can eat the most mushrooms, while dwarf hamsters can eat the least mushrooms.
So let’s see which breed of hamsters how many mushrooms can eat to have the best benefits for their health.
How many mushrooms can Syrian hamsters eat?
Syrian hamsters as the largest breed always have the honor of eating the most mushrooms or some other food.
For the best benefits, Syrian hamsters should eat one tablespoon of mushrooms twice a week, but never two days in a row.
This amount is enough for maximum benefits from the nutrients of mushrooms.
How Many Mushrooms Can Robo Hamsters Eat?
Robo hamsters are smaller than Syrian ones and therefore need to eat smaller amounts of mushrooms.
Ideal for Robo hamsters is to eat a tablespoon of mushrooms once a week.
That’s enough for their breed; they do not need larger quantities to improve their health, and at the same time enjoy consuming them.
How Many Mushrooms Should Dwarf Hamsters Eat?
Dwarf hamsters, including Campbell, Chinese and Russian hamsters, should eat very small amounts of mushrooms.
Dwarf hamsters should eat half a tablespoon of mushrooms once every two weeks; that is enough for them.
The digestive system of dwarf hamsters can not process large amounts of food, so this amount is completely safe and sufficient for them.
Can baby hamsters eat mushrooms?
No, baby hamsters can not eat mushrooms, especially in the first few weeks of life.
In the first weeks, they should consume only breast milk, water and food specially designed for them. Only after 2-3 months should they start eating other foods like mushrooms.
However, before you start giving them mushrooms, take your hamster to a vet to see how far he has come and if they are ready to start eating mushrooms.
What are the benefits of mushrooms for hamsters?
As long as hamsters eat moderate mushrooms, they will benefit from the nutrients, leading to better health and longer life.
Here are some of them:
- protein – which gives energy and strength that hamsters certainly need.
- Fiber – is always important for improving digestion and overall better functioning of your furry friends’ entire digestive system.
- Antioxidants – help fight free radicals that cause cancer in hamsters. Antioxidants simultaneously slow down the aging of your pets and prolong their life.
- Vitamin D – helps easier absorption of calcium from mushrooms in the body.
- Calcium – is one of the most important minerals for hamsters that provides healthier and stronger bones.
- Less cholesterol – Mushrooms are great for lowering hamster cholesterol and maintaining a normal level.
- Potassium – improves muscle function, heart and overall health of hamsters.
- Copper – helps produce red blood cells, which is very important for your hamsters.
- Vitamin B – helps hamsters have the strength to run and play all day.
What are the side effects of mushrooms for hamsters?
Any food given to hamsters can have side effects on their health if they consume too much.
Here are some of the risks posed by eating too many mushrooms by hamsters:
- diarrhea – if they eat too many mushrooms, they will get diarrhea, which will pass in a few hours, but you should be careful about the amount.
- Digestive problems – because mushrooms contain acid, which is harmful to their digestive system in large quantities.
- Abdominal pain – is another side effect if hamsters overdo it by consuming mushrooms.
Can hamsters eat cooked mushrooms?
Yes, hamsters can eat cooked mushrooms, after all, they are best for their health.
When mushrooms are cooked, the risk of ingesting toxic substances in their bodies is reduced.
In any case, when giving them cooked mushrooms, you should be careful about the amount, not too much, moderation is the key to good hamster health.
Can hamsters eat raw mushrooms?
No hamsters should not eat raw mushrooms, cooked mushrooms are much better for them.
Raw mushrooms because they are sour, can cause stomach problems and tooth problems in hamsters.
Raw mushrooms can also contain toxic substances dangerous to your furry friends.
Can hamsters eat roasted mushrooms?
Yes, hamsters can eat roasted mushrooms in addition to cooked ones.
Roasted mushrooms are safe for hamsters because roasting removes all bacteria that are potentially dangerous to your pets.
If you make baked mushrooms for hamsters, we recommend that you do not add spices, salt, and other additives that may be harmful to them.
Can hamsters eat mushroom stems?
Yes, hamsters can eat mushroom stems; they are completely safe for them.
Mushroom stems contain a lot of useful substances, namely beta glucagon, which is great for improving the cholesterol level of your furry friends.
Of course, because the stems contain dirt, they should be thoroughly washed before giving them to hamsters.
Can hamsters eat mushroom shells?
Yes, hamsters can eat mushroom shells; they are safe for your pet if you give them moderate amounts.
Mushroom shells contain nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, copper, selenium, and zinc, improving your hamster’s immunity and overall health.
Can hamsters eat white mushrooms?
Yes, hamsters can eat white mushrooms, but you must be careful about the amount.
White mushrooms have many vitamins and minerals that are good for hamster health.
White mushrooms will allow the hamster to be full longer because they are low in fat and high in water.
Can hamsters eat brown mushrooms?
Yes, hamsters can eat brown mushrooms, they will provide them with vitamins and minerals such as copper, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, and others.
Eating brown mushroom hamsters will improve their immunity, but you must be careful about the amount.
Because larger quantities of these mushrooms will cause digestive problems in hamsters.
Can hamsters eat champignon mushrooms?
Hamsters can eat champignon mushrooms but in strict moderation.
Because these mushrooms have a lot of calories and water, and therefore our recommendation is to give champignon mushrooms to your furry friends less often.
Can hamsters eat wild mushrooms?
No hamsters should not eat wild mushrooms.
Wild mushrooms are risky for hamsters because it is not known exactly if they are harmful to their health, so avoid giving them to your furry friends.
Wild mushrooms can be poisonous, which is certainly not good food for your hamsters.
If you notice the following signs, you will know that your hamster ate wild mushrooms:
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- suffocation
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
Which mushrooms are dangerous for the life of hamsters?
Because there are so many different types of mushrooms, we must be very careful about which ones are healthy and which ones are harmful or toxic to them.
The most dangerous mushrooms that can be deadly to hamsters are:
- Death angel (Amanita ocreata)
- Conocybe filaris
- Death cap (Amanita phalloides)
There are other dangerous mushrooms for hamsters, but be especially careful of the mushrooms we have listed.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Barley? Benefits And Risks
What to do if hamsters eat too many mushrooms?
If the hamsters eat more mushrooms than they should inadvertently or something like that, nothing terrible will probably happen to them; of course, this does not mean that the same thing should be repeated in the future.
In such a situation, you as the owner should give him a larger amount of water, so the mushrooms can be processed in their body more easily and faster.
There may be diarrhea, abdominal pain, and similar problems, which should pass in 24 hours.
If the condition does not return to normal, take your hamster to a veterinarian for an examination and appropriate treatment.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Edamame? All You Need To Know
Conclusion
Mushrooms are fungi that can be given for eating to your hamsters, of course always in moderation to benefit their health.
By eating mushrooms, hamsters will have to protect against cancer and have more energy, less cholesterol, and a better digestive system.
If your pet eats too many mushrooms, diarrhea, stomach aches, and indigestion can occur.
Finally, give your hamsters mushrooms in moderation and watch how they happily eat them.
