Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:12 pm
Can hamsters eat watermelon? The answer is yes, hamsters can eat watermelon, but just like other fruits and vegetables in moderation.
Watermelon can be eaten by all hamsters such as the Syrian, dwarf, and other breeds of this cute pet.
Watermelon has a great taste and smell, people adore it especially in summer, and your pet will also love to eat it. When should he eat? How much watermelon is recommended for hamsters? Are hamsters allowed to eat the seeds?
These are all questions that we owners are not interested in, so in today’s topic, we will answer all these questions related to consuming watermelon for hamsters.
Can hamsters eat watermelon?
As we said at the beginning, hamsters can eat watermelon. Watermelon is great for hamsters because it contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, A, potassium, magnesium, and others. Watermelon has the most water in the composition of about 92 percent, so care should be taken to prevent hamsters from getting diarrhea, which can then lead to disease or wet tail, and be careful about the amount because it contains sugar to avoid diabetes.
Although watermelon is great for its ingredients, such foods and other fruits and vegetables should make up 10% of a hamster’s diet. The main food for them should always be hamster pellets or a mixture of various seeds.
Although hamsters will enjoy watermelon, experts say that we should not get too used to such foods, because hamsters eat natural food intended for them.
How much watermelon should hamsters eat?
It mostly depends on the type of hamster, for example, the Syrian hamsters as the largest they should eat the most or more precisely a piece as big as its paw.
While smaller breeds of hamsters such as dwarfs need to eat an even smaller piece of watermelon.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Grapes? How Much and When to Eat
How often should hamsters eat watermelon?
Although watermelon is a great fruit for hamster health, it should still be eaten in moderation to prevent diabetes, indigestion, and weight gain.
It is best to start by giving a slice of cucumber because this vegetable has a lower sugar level, to get your hamster used to it, and only then start with a watermelon.
The Syrian hamsters as the largest should eat one piece twice a week, while the smaller hamster breeds should eat once a week.
How to prepare watermelon for hamsters?
First of all, whenever you can, choose watermelon of organic origin, it has the least chemicals. In any case, watermelon should be washed well before use, that is the most important rule.
Watermelon is cut just like us humans in that the pieces have to be small cubes for the hamster to eat.
As we have already said, hamsters can also eat watermelon peel. You can put some of the uncut watermelons in the fridge to use for both your family and the hamsters.
Do hamsters eat dried watermelon and watermelon juice?
There is nothing better than fresh watermelon for your pet’s health. Dried watermelon has a lot of sugar and is not good for hamsters to eat, it can also stick to their cheeks.
Watermelon juice is not good for hamsters because everything that is processed and with the addition of sugar should not be given to them at all.
Watermelon juice can only be squeezed out of the watermelon directly and by adding a little water to dilute it.
Can hamsters eat watermelon seeds?
Hamsters should not eat watermelon seeds. If you give them hamsters will eat them but the danger to their health is very high.
Watermelon seeds can cause suffocation in your hamster, especially small hamsters, such as dwarf hamsters. In addition, watermelon seeds are difficult to digest and can cause problems with their digestion.
Our recommendation is to always clean the watermelon from the seeds before giving it to the hamsters to consume.
Can hamsters eat watermelon peel?
Unlike seeds, watermelon peel can be eaten by hamsters, in fact, it is great for their health.
The fiber in the watermelon peel is very important for hamster health and improves digestion and digestion. Just be sure to chop it into small pieces so they can be eaten more easily.
Of course, before that, you need to wash the bark nicely and thoroughly to remove chemicals and impurities, or if you find organic watermelon, then even better.
One only has to pay close attention to the amount of watermelon peel because it contains the amino acid known as citrulline, which can cause reactions in the palate of hamsters.
Be prepared that the hamster may not eat watermelon peel, some love it while others do not. So first do a test to see if he will eat or not, give him some and wait for his reaction.
Do hamster babies like to eat watermelon?
Hamster babies should not eat watermelons, do not try to give them at all.
Because they are small, the most important thing for them is breast milk and food for hamsters, until they grow up, ie in the first 3 months.
If baby hamsters accidentally try to eat, they may suffocate or have major digestive problems, and end up at the vet, so be careful.
Health benefits of watermelon for hamsters?
Vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients of watermelon are very important for the health of hamsters.
Vitamin C
With the intake of the vitamin C hamsters will have stronger immunity, better collagen production, healthier fur with a better appearance. When a hamster is deficient in vitamin C, a disease called scurvy occurs.
Then your hamster will start to lose weight, will lose fur, will be lethargic, hunchbacked, and will not have good coordination in movement.
If you notice these symptoms you should see a veterinarian immediately to help you increase your vitamin C intake in hamsters.
Vitamin A for protection against infections
Ingestion of vitamin A from watermelon will improve your hamster’s protection against infections.
Magnesium for normal pressure
Watermelon magnesium will help the hamster have normal blood pressure.
Potassium
Potassium is a great mineral for your pet’s health. By taking it, you can be sure that it will reduce any high blood pressure.
Antioxidants against hamster cancer
Watermelon contains lycopene-antioxidant which gives the color of watermelon. Its action will give your pet super protection from free radicals and will keep the hamster’s body healthy and younger.
Because on the contrary when we do not have enough antioxidants, the body is prone to cancer and heart problems.
Watermelon for hydration of hamsters
Because as we said at the beginning, watermelon has 92% water, it will help the hamsters to be always hydrated when they consume this fruit. Hamsters need water because their diet is mainly dry food.
Of course, the primary and main source of hydration is plain water, and it is indispensable for both humans and your pet.
Side effects of eating watermelon in hamsters?
Watermelon has many benefits for hamsters, but it also has some side effects, which usually occur if you give too much watermelon to your pet.
Diarrhea
Watermelon is rich in sugar and water if consumed too much can cause diarrhea in hamsters. They are used to pellets and grains, and watermelon is not what should be their primary food.
The only solution to prevent diarrhea is to carefully give a certain amount of watermelon. If you notice signs of diarrhea, reduce it immediately with fruits and vegetables.
The danger of wet tail
Diarrhea also causes a condition called the wet tail.
Signs that indicate this condition are:
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- the hamster’s tail is wet and with feces
- hunchback
In such situations, your reaction as an owner is most important, you should immediately consult a veterinarian, otherwise, the consequences can be fatal, your pet may die.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Bananas? 6 Advice How to Eat
Too much sugar is risky for hamsters
Too much sugar is bad for us humans and for hamsters.
If your hamster eats a lot of watermelons, the hamsters will consume a lot of sugar and can lead to diabetes and weight gain, which is certainly not right.
Dwarf hamsters are more prone to diabetes so pay close attention to the amounts consumed by watermelon or other sugary fruits.
Remove uneaten watermelon
Watermelon stands for a long time and becomes moldy and starts to produce bacteria. Once you have given your pet a watermelon, if anything remains in the cage, remove it, and make sure the hamster is not hiding somewhere to eat later.
After an hour, you should remove any pieces left by the watermelon in the cage, as well as clean the place where the watermelon stood.
Nutrition facts about watermelon
100 grams of watermelon contain the following values:
- 30 calories
- 0.4 grams of dietary fiber
- 6.2 grams of sugar
- 0.6 grams of fiber
- 0.2 grams of fat
The following are the vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- iron
- lycopene
- potassium
- magnesium
All these nutrients are a sufficient reason to include watermelon in the diet of hamsters.
read more: Do hamsters eat cucumbers? Are They Healthy!
Conclusion
Hamsters can eat watermelon but in moderation. Their main food should be pellets, seeds, and about 10% of fruits and vegetables twice a week.
To get the most out of watermelon, you just have to be more discriminating with the help you render toward other people.
Excessive watermelon can cause problems such as diarrhea, diabetes, digestive problems, and the like.
