Can Hamsters Eat Peanuts? Update 2024

Last updated on February 18th, 2024 at 03:04 pm

Do hamsters eat peanuts, the answer is that they eat peanuts and enjoy eating them. Peanuts are one of the most popular nuts, people eat them very often, so there is no reason to introduce them to the diet of hamsters.

Feel free to give peanuts to hamsters, they are completely safe and healthy for them, but in moderation.

You just do not need to give them salty peanuts, or any other spice, it is best cooked or simply raw peanuts.

Are Peanuts Good for Hamsters?

Peanuts are certainly good for your pet, they contain vitamin E, B, and niacin. Peanuts also contain a lot of protein, as well as healthy natural vegetable oils, which together are great for hamster health.

Potassium helps improve blood pressure, iron will help hamsters have healthy blood cells.

Peanuts do not contain cholesterol, which is good for the heart and blood vessels of hamsters, because cholesterol is one of the main factors causing the clogging of blood vessels and heart problems.

Nutritional value of peanuts for hamsters?

In terms of nutrients, in addition, we present the values ​​of peanuts in 1/2 cup approximately:

  • 330 calories
  • 4 grams of fiber
  • 18 grams of fat
  • 12 grams of protein
  • 368 mg of potassium
  • 2 mg of calcium
  • 200 mg of iron
  • 18 mg of vitamin E
  • 10 mg choline

How to give peanuts to hamsters?

First and foremost, as with any pet food, wash the peanuts well. If you can buy organic peanuts, make sure they have no pesticides.

Give him raw, boiled peanuts, roasted with and without skin as a start, and watch his reaction. If all goes well you can continue to introduce peanuts as a dessert along with the rest of the food you eat every day.

If you have a problem with digestion, you should consult a veterinarian for advice and opinion about your furry pet.can hamsters eat peanuts

Can baby hamsters eat peanuts?

Baby hamsters should never try peanuts, if they accidentally try them you should immediately consult a veterinarian for further steps, and monitor the condition of your hamster.

Until the age of 3 months, baby hamsters can only consume breast milk and food exclusively for their age.

After 3 months you can gradually, but not like adult hamsters, start giving them peanuts or foods like fruits and vegetables.

How many peanuts should different breeds of hamsters eat?

  1. The Siberian hamster, like most others, can eat the most, which is 1-2 peanuts 1-2 times a week.
  2. Robo hamsters are allowed to eat half a peanut once a week.
  3. Dwarf hamsters as the smallest of all other breeds, 1/4 of a peanut once every two weeks is a sufficient amount.

All these quantities of peanuts are provided so that the health of the hamsters is not endangered by a larger amount of peanuts.

Can hamsters eat salted peanuts?

No, you should never give salty peanuts to your pet. Salt is bad for hamsters’ health and you need not only peanuts but also other foods that you give them to eat that should never be salty.

Salt will cause problems such as heart or cardiovascular disease, according to some estimates may reduce the lifespan of hamsters by 20-30 percent.

Feeding salty foods to your hamster will cause dehydration and the need to drink more water.

How many peanuts can hamsters eat?

Peanuts are good for hamster health as long as you give them a moderate amount. Giving them too many peanuts because they are high in fat will cause your pet to gain weight.

It is healthiest to give them one to two peanuts a week, nothing more.

Of course, at the beginning you should let them try, then wait for a reaction for 24 hours, to see if your hamster will have an allergic reaction, if all goes well, gradually add the peanuts to his diet.

Can hamsters eat peanut butter?

Hamsters can only eat pure peanut butter, just like raw peanuts.

Again, you just need to make sure the butter is clean and unsalted or more precisely mashed peanuts.

Feel free to give him a teaspoon or as much as one hamster bite, but only once a week.

Do hamsters like to eat peanuts?

Of course, they will want to eat peanuts, in fact, it is in their nature to eat seeds or nuts when they are in the wild.

Hamsters love the smell and taste of peanuts, although there may be exceptions to not eating peanuts.can hamsters eat peanuts

Can hamsters eat other nuts?

Hamsters love peanuts and other foods, although 90% of their diet should still be hamster pellets, and only 10% of other foods include peanuts, fruits, and vegetables.

In addition to peanuts, hamsters can eat other types of nuts, such as:

  • nuts
  • pistachios
  • hazelnuts
  • Indian walnuts
  • pumpkin seeds
  • sunflower seeds

In any case, any of these fruits should never be given to hamsters with the addition of salt or oil or anything else.

Side effects of peanuts for hamsters

As we have mentioned many times, peanuts are generally safe for hamsters, as long as they are consumed in moderation.

Too many peanuts can lead to digestive problems, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and the like. If you give them salty peanuts, dehydration can occur in hamsters.

Peanut shells, although edible, avoid giving them to prevent choking, which is very rare, but it is best to be careful.

read more: Can hamsters eat watermelon?(Benefits and Risks)

Conclusion

Peanuts are safe and healthy to eat for hamsters. The composition of peanuts will provide protein, vitamins, and healthy fatty acids that will improve the health of hamsters.

One peanut a week is okay to reap the benefits of this nut, without compromising the health of your furry pet.

Excessive amounts of peanuts can lead to hamster health problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, digestive problems, and the like.

Finally, peanuts should be given as a dessert to hamsters who will enjoy eating them.

read more: Can Hamsters Eat Blueberries? Benefits and risks