Ham is a staple food for most adults and children, with it being a popular filling for sandwiches, as well as a meat with a roast dinner. While most larger pets enjoy a morsel of ham, you may start to wonder if it is safe for you to let your hamster have a small piece.
The answer to this important question is, in short – no. While ham is a tasty food for humans, it is not a healthy food for your hamster, and you should not be feeding it to them.
Read on to get the health information about ham and find out whether or not it’s a good fit for your hamster.
Contents
Ham Nutrition Information
One cup of ham will give you roughly the following amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds:
- 8 grams total fat
- 74.2 milligrams cholesterol
- 1684.2 milligrams sodium
- 401.8 milligrams potassium
- 2.1 grams carbohydrate
- 29 grams protein
- 1 percent calcium
- 11 percent iron
- 11 percent vitamin d
- 30 percent vitamin b-6
- 14 percent cobalamin
- 4 percent magnesium
As you can see, ham contains more than enough protein and other nutrients for humans, but one fundamental question remains…
How Much Ham Can You Give a Hamster
Ham is made by salting raw pork to cure it, and seasonings may be added. It is due to these high levels of salt that make ham unsuitable for hamsters to consume. This makes ham fall into the same category as bacon. Too much salt for your hamster can cause dehydration as well as raising their blood pressure. Salt is also dangerous for hamsters as it can cause problems with their kidneys. Hamsters are very small creatures and don’t require much food at all to make sure that they eat all the required nutrients and minerals for their diet.
How Often Should You Give Your Hamster Ham
Ham, while not being the healthiest food for your hamster, contains no nutrients that they can absorb. If you allow your hamster to eat ham, your small friend won’t be able to absorb the nutrients from their own food.
What Risks Are Associated With Giving Your Hamster Ham
Processed foods can damage your hamster’s health, and by letting them eat ham could cause health concerns for your furry companion. Furthermore, ham contains a high amount of fats, especially saturated fat, which can cause obesity in hamsters. This is a major concern with dwarf hamsters who have an extremely delicate digestive system.
Final Verdict On Can Hamsters Eat Ham
Ham, while tasty for humans, could cause health concerns for your small furry friend. Foods that contain protein and which are suitable for your hamster to eat include sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and nuts, although care should be taken to make sure they have not been salted or seasoned in any way. We recommend sticking to good veggies like celery and lettuce as staples of your hamsters diet.
If you are worried about your hamsters diet, please consult your local vet, who can make suggestions on what to feed your hamster instead. Similarly, if you do suspect that your hamster has eaten anything it shouldn’t have, phone your vet immediately to seek medical advice.
