In addition to commercial pellets, hamsters should eat food with protein in their diet. What proteins can my hamster eat?
Hamsters can eat protein through cooked chicken breasts, boiled egg whites, sunflower seeds, unsalted peanuts, and other types of food.
Proteins are important for the development and growth of hamsters and should therefore be part of their diet.
In today’s article, you will learn which foods contain protein that hamsters can safely eat, why protein is important for hamsters, and similar questions related to the topic.
What proteins can my hamster eat?
Hamsters can eat protein from many types of food and meet their needs making them healthier and stronger with more energy.
The proteins found in unsalted raw walnuts are great for hamsters to eat, just don’t give them almonds which are harmful to them.
Other seeds that hamsters can eat that contain protein are sunflower, sesame, and flax seeds. You can also give them unsalted peanuts which are a great source of protein for your little pet.
When hamsters eat insects, they can also get the necessary amount of protein and freely eat crickets or grasshoppers.
Hamsters can get protein by eating a little unsalted cheese, plain yogurt, or cottage cheese, but with a small amount of fat in its composition.
From the meat, it is best to offer them some chicken meat or roast turkey meat and your pet will get protein for its body.
There are also proteins in eggs, so give them a little white of a boiled egg, which is an excellent and healthy source of proteins.
Meat contains a lot of protein, but you must be careful and you must not feed raw and unprocessed meat to your hamster, as this can have fatal consequences for their life.
Raw meat can have parasites and bacteria, so it must be cooked or roasted, but not fried, before you decide to feed it to your hamster.
Why is protein important to hamsters?
Proteins are important in the diet of hamsters because they help to have better growth and development of their body.
With the help of proteins, hamsters maintain the tissues and organs in their body, muscles and improve their immunity. Proteins help in the production of hormones and enzymes in your hamster’s body.
Hamsters need protein from both plant and animal sources, especially animal proteins that are a source of amino acids that hamsters cannot produce on their own.
How much protein does a particular hamster food contain?
To better know the amount of protein in the food you give to your hamsters, you need to know which food contains how much protein.
Here is a list of some types of food and the representation of proteins in their composition:
- chicken breast 31 grams in 100 grams
- white egg 4 grams in one egg
- unsalted peanuts 24.4 grams in 100 grams
- yogurt 3.5 grams in 100 grams
- sunflower seeds 21 grams in 100 grams
- sesame seeds 18 grams in 100 grams
Since hamsters need about 2 grams of protein per day in their diet, you can make a schedule yourself for when to give them and what amount is sufficient for their daily needs.
How much protein do hamsters need?
Proteins are an important part of a hamster’s diet and should be represented by 16% of their daily diet.
Hamsters eat about 11-14 grams of food per day, so about 1,5-2 grams of their diet should be protein.
Hamsters should not eat too much protein, so you should pay attention to what kind of food you give them, it is best if it is a mix with protein, but also with other food that has vitamins, minerals, and fiber in its composition.
How often should I give my hamster protein?
It is best to give your hamster a small amount of protein every day or every other day.
Proteins should be represented by about 15 percent and therefore you should be careful not to give them too much. You must not give hamsters food with high protein every day.
For example, you can’t give hamsters a boiled egg every day because it has a lot of protein in it, you can give it once a week.
Problems with protein deficiency in hamsters?
If the hamster has a lack of protein, then there can be a problem with their growth and development, especially in young hamsters.
A lack of protein causes a decrease in muscle mass, a weaker immune system, less energy, and less strength to run and play daily.
When hamsters have lack of protein they will not have enough enzymes and hormones for the proper functioning of their body.
What happens if hamsters have too much protein?
If hamsters consume too much protein, it can cause harmful consequences and damage to their liver and kidneys.
When hamsters have too much protein in their body, it can lead to weight gain and problems with their digestive system. This happens because too much protein will not be able to be processed in the hamster’s digestive system.
That is why it is important to give hamsters moderate amounts of protein in their diet so that they can have the best benefits for their health.
Hamsters should eat both vegetables and fruits
Hamsters should eat a certain amount of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
By eating fresh vegetables and fruits, hamsters will get the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fibers that are an important part of their diet.
Eating vegetables and fruits helps hamsters to have better immunity, protection against diseases, and of course more energy to carry out daily activities.
Here is a list of some fruits and vegetables that are good for hamster health:
- an apple
- melon
- peach
- pears
- green beans
- carrots
- celery
- cauliflower
- broccoli
Commercial pellet mix for hamsters
Hamsters mostly eat a commercial pellet mix specially made for their diet.
This food contains sunflower seeds, corn, and other types of seeds that are healthy for them.
Commercial pellets are often supplemented with vitamins and minerals so hamsters can get even more nutrients they need to be healthy and strong.
What food should you not give your hamsters?
Hamsters should not eat processed food with a lot of fat, salt, sugar, and other additives that are harmful to their health.
That’s why you should avoid giving them chips, candies, chocolates, and other similar products that will only have a harmful effect and can make your pet sick.
Canned food is generally not a good choice for hamsters because it always contains artificial additives that are added so that they can last longer, and at the same time are very harmful for hamsters.
Other types of food that are harmful to hamsters and toxic are the following:
- onions
- leek
- garlic
- avocado
- potatoes
This is only part of the list of foods that are not good for their health, so before giving them food that you are not sure how healthy it is for your pet, do not risk it and consult a veterinarian first.
Read more: Can Hamsters eat Chicken? (Serving, Benefits, Risks)
Conclusion
Hamsters eat protein from foods such as cooked chicken, boiled egg whites, unsalted peanuts, unsalted cheese, and other foods.
Hamsters need to eat food rich in protein because it helps them to develop their body and to have enough energy to run and play.
In addition to proteins, hamsters should also eat pellets, vegetables, and fruits and of course drink fresh and clean water to be healthy, happy, and satisfied.
