Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:21 pm
Hamsters can include a variety of foods in their diet, such as a variety of vegetables and fruits, there are some exceptions that they can not eat.
We, humans, enjoy eating a pomegranate, but can our furry friends afford to eat pomegranate? Pomegranate is a fruit that belongs to the list of foods that are not good for them and their health.
In today’s article, we will find out why pomegranate is not a good option for hamsters, what are the side effects of this fruit and which fruits are a healthy alternative in their diet.
What kind of fruit is the pomegranate?
Pomegranate is a fruit that has a red color on the outside, while inside the fruit is white, and in it are the edible seeds.
Pomegranate seeds are often used to make juices, cocktails, and in various dishes during their baking and cooking.
Pomegranate contains higher amounts of potassium, calcium, vitamin C, sugar, and fiber.
Can hamsters eat pomegranate?
Hamsters should not eat pomegranate because it contains a lot of sugar which is harmful to their health.
When hamsters eat a pomegranate, too much sugar can only disrupt their digestive system. Pomegranate will only cause them to develop diabetes and weight gain and health problems.
This fruit should be given in small quantities, however, it is best to avoid giving pomegranate to your furry friends.
Will hamsters want to eat a pomegranate?
Yes, hamsters will love to eat a pomegranate, because it has a mild taste, which they will like.
Hamsters do not know if the pomegranate is good for them or not, they will take as much as they can if you give them the opportunity.
But you as owners should be careful about your furry pets and do not give them pomegranate because of the high amount of sugar, which can impair their health.
Can baby hamsters eat pomegranate?
No, baby hamsters should not eat a pomegranate, because sugar is very harmful to them and is not the right food for their age.
When young hamsters are small, they should use only breast milk, water, and food specifically designed for their age. Their digestive system cannot process food as adult hamsters can.
It is only after a few weeks that they can start trying new foods, but the pomegranate is not on the list of food choices even when they grow up.
What will happen if the hamsters eat some pomegranate?
If your hamster accidentally eats some pomegranate, there is no room for panic, because pomegranate is not poisonous to them.
A reaction to eating pomegranate can be diarrhea, and you should consult your veterinarian for further steps on how to calm your pet’s stomach.
In case of diarrhea does not occur, then it is okay, you should not worry, just be careful not to do the same thing again, keep the pomegranates away from the hamsters.
How to remove pomegranate juice from hamsters?
If hamsters are in a position to eat a pomegranate, make sure the pomegranate juice, which is very sticky, will be all over their body.
If you do not remove the pomegranate juice from the hamster’s body, it can only cause other bugs and flies to start to stick to the hamster’s skin and cause problems for them.
To remove pomegranate juice from your hamster you need to either bathe your pet, or you can use a damp cloth to remove it.
To use the cloth with lukewarm water so that the hamster does not get cold, wipe it well from the juice residue, and then cover it with a dry cloth.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Arugula? Аll You Need To Know
Can certain breeds of hamsters eat pomegranate?
No, no matter what breed of hamsters we are talking about, none of them should eat a pomegranate, small amounts are not dangerous, but our recommendation is not to give them pomegranates, there are many other fruits that are good and safe for them.
Pomegranates should not be eaten by Syrian hamsters either, although they are the largest and have the strongest digestive system, and other breeds such as Robo or dwarf hamsters are not allowed.
However, if you want to give a small amount of pomegranate to your hamsters, here is how much you should give them:
Although pomegranate is tasty and sweet, it does not have the right amount of nutrients to meet the needs of our furry pets.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Cabbage? All You Need To Know
What is the composition of pomegranate?
To get a better idea of the composition of the pomegranate, although it should not be eaten by hamsters, here is its composition in 100 grams:
- calories 83
- sugar 13.5 g
- carbohydrates 18.5 g
- fiber 4 gr
- protein 1.5 g
- vitamin C 10 mg
- Vitamin E 0.5 mg
- calcium 10 mg
- magnesium 12 mg
- phosphorus 36 mg
- potassium 235 mg
- sodium 3 mg
As can be seen from the composition of pomegranate, it contains nutrients such as vitamin C and certain minerals that are good for the health of hamsters, but sugar is a big problem, and therefore should not be given as food.
What are the side effects of eating pomegranate for hamsters?
After a hamster eats a pomegranate, if it is in large quantities the following side effects may occur:
- Allergy – can occur in your hamster when he eats pomegranates, and can be accompanied by itching, rash, loss of fur, and possible swelling of the mouth.
- Diarrhea – after eating pomegranates, as a reaction may occur diarrhea, during which you should stop giving pomegranate, and consult a veterinarian.
- Digestive problems – occur because the hamster is not accustomed to foods such as pomegranate, as well as too much sugar.
- Low blood pressure – proteins and sugar in the pomegranate can cause an imbalance in the diet and the occurrence of low blood pressure, during which they will have problems with balance, blurred vision, and the like.
- Digestive system – may suffer from eating pomegranate and hamsters may have indigestion and stomach aches.
- Diabetes and obesity – due to the high content of sugar in the pomegranate, when eating large amounts, your furry pet can get diabetes and gain weight.
Benefits of Pomegranate for Hamsters
Although pomegranate has many side effects for hamsters, it also has some positive health benefits.
Here are some of them:
- fiber – which helps to improve digestion and overall better functioning of the digestive system in hamsters.
- magnesium – is an excellent mineral that helps normalize blood pressure in hamsters.
- calcium – helps improve the health of bones and teeth in hamsters.
- iron – which helps strengthen the heart and better blood oxygen flow in our furry friends.
- energy – so that hamsters can play and run all day long.
Can hamsters eat pomegranate seeds?
Yes, hamsters can eat pomegranate seeds but in very small quantities, on the contrary, they will cause more harm than good.
At the same time, it should be avoided to give them the shell or the white inner part which is harmful to hamsters.
If you give them too many pomegranate seeds, there is a danger that the hamsters will choke on them, so the amount is crucial, but we must always be careful.
Can hamsters eat pomegranate leaves?
Yes, hamsters can also eat pomegranate leaves, but in moderate quantities, so they do not have side effects for their health.
It is very important to first wash the pomegranate leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt and any chemicals that may have been used during cultivation.
It is preferable if you can give him organic pomegranate leaves, they are much safer for their health.
After you wash them you should give them a small number of pomegranate leaves to see if they like it.
If they want to eat fine, and if they refuse, don’t give them more, there is no need for them to eat something they don’t like.
Can hamsters eat pomegranate peel?
Hamsters can eat pomegranate peel, but most of them will probably refuse to eat it.
Pomegranate peel has a very bitter and sour taste that hamsters will not like.
Hamsters like pomegranate because of its sweet taste, but they will not like the peel.
Can hamsters drink pomegranate juice?
No, hamsters cannot drink pomegranate juice, it is too harmful to their health.
Due to the large amount of sugar in pomegranate juice, hamsters can only get diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
The only way to give them some pomegranate juice is if you squeeze a pomegranate yourself at home and mix the juice with water in a 50-50 ratio, and then you can give them a few drops for your furry friends to try.
In general, hamsters should not drink any juice, they should only consume fresh water, it is the best and healthiest drink for them.
Can hamsters get a pomegranate allergy?
Yes, hamsters can get an allergy to pomegranate, so you have to be careful if you give them to eat this fruit.
Our recommendation is always to give them a small amount at the beginning, to see if they develop any allergies.
Symptoms of an allergy in hamsters from pomegranate are the following:
- sneezing
- itching
- cough
- redness of their skin
If you notice any of these reactions, it is best to take your hamster to a veterinarian to give him appropriate therapy to reduce his allergy.
Healthy food for hamsters
How you can see pomegranate is not very good for your hamsters, but there is no need to be varied for your pets, still, they have much more choices for food, let’s find out what else they can eat, without having problems with health:
- basil
- asparagus
- mint
- parsley
- artichoke
- beets
- spinach
- arugula
- green beans
- cucumber
- celery
- pumpkin
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- sweet potato
Conclusion
Hamsters should not eat pomegranates, because they contain too much sugar.
A small amount of pomegranate is not dangerous for the health of hamsters, while too many pomegranates can cause problems with their health.
Although pomegranate contains vitamins and other nutrients, sugar is still a major obstacle to hamster health, leading to diarrhea, allergies, stomach aches, diabetes, and obesity.
If they eat a little pomegranate, nothing terrible will happen to your pets, but still, avoid giving them this fruit.
Finally, our recommendation is not to risk the pomegranate, there is no need to expose your pet to unnecessary risk, give him other types of fruit that are much better for their health.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Ice Cream?
