Many animals eat grass: Cows, goats, horses, rabbits, and guinea pigs, among them.
But can your hamster eat grass? The answer is a cautious yes, but it’s also very true that there are many better options when it comes to hamster snacks.
Read on to get the health information about grass and find out whether or not it’s a good fit for your hamster.
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Grass Nutrition Information
When it comes to hamster treats, grass does not have a fantastic amount of nutrients. Fiber is the biggest contender in the grass nutrient list.
How Much Grass Can You Give a Hamster?
The amount of grass you can safely give a hamster depends on its age. Baby hamsters should not eat any grass at all. Adult hamsters can safely eat three to four blades of grass at a time under supervision. Always make sure grass is given to your hamster alongside a balanced diet of regular hamster food, as it is the regular hamster food that will be providing your hamster the nutrients it needs.
More than being a source of food, grass seems to fall under the category of Things to Nibble On. Hamsters need to nibble on things to keep their teeth healthy, and a few blades of grass can fulfill that need for them.
How Often Should You Give Your Hamster Grass?
The recommended serving frequency with which a hamster can eat grass is a little bit each day as long as your hamster has other, more nutritious food to go along with it. If given the option we’d recommend going with something with more nutritional value.
What Risks Are Associated With Feeding Hamsters Grass?
Introducing any food not in a hamster’s regular diet has the potential to cause stomach upset in hamsters, including vomiting and diarrhea, so your hamster should be monitored for a few hours after munching on some grass.
It is also of vital importance to make sure you know exactly where the grass you feed your hamster comes from, and if it is treated with pesticides or fertilizers. These chemicals can be toxic to your hamster. It’s also a good idea to make sure that any grass you pick has not been marked by any neighborhood dogs or other animals as a restroom.
As with any thing your hamster could eat that might not be the best or most nutritious, it would be wise to consult with your vet prior to providing your Hammy with some grass to munch on.
A Final Word on Hamsters and Grass
Like many things that can be eaten, grass and hamsters fall under the category of Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. As we’ve seen, the nutrient content in grass simply isn’t high enough to sustain a hamster from the standpoint of vitamins and minerals and is mostly beneficial as something for them to merely chew on. But even if you’re looking for something for a hamster to nibble on that also provides even the bare minimum of nutrients – let alone many of them – consider other, better alternatives such as lettuce.
