Can Hamsters Eat Oats?

If you have a pet hamster, you know how much your furry friend enjoys eating. Hamsters like to eat grains, seeds, nuts, as well as a number of fresh fruits and vegetables. When choosing what to feed to your pet hammy, you should always ensure that they are given low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods to keep them healthy.

Generally, hamsters are quite sensitive creatures with tiny bodies. Although it is fairly easy to take care of a hamster, one must go the extra mile to ensure they are getting a healthy and non-toxic diet. 

Can Hamsters Eat Oats

Hamster-owners often wonder which foods are safe for their pet and which ones are not. One such food is oats. Are you wondering if you should give your hamster some oats? Is it a healthy snack for hammies? Keep reading to find out.

Oats Nutritional Information

Oats, also known as common oats, are a type of cereal grain. They are often enjoyed as breakfast, combined with fruits or other garnishing. 

Oats are also used in oatmeal and rolled oats. They are mostly used for livestock feed.

So, what do oats actually contain? Let’s take a look:

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 1,628 kJ (389 kcal)
Carbohydrates
66.3 g
Dietary fiber 10.6 g
Fat
6.9 g
Protein
16.9 g
Vitamins
Thiamine (B1) (66%) 0.763 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (12%) 0.139 mg
Niacin (B3) (6%) 0.961 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
(27%) 1.349 mg
Vitamin B6 (9%) 0.12 mg
Folate (B9) (14%) 56 μg
Minerals
Calcium (5%) 54 mg
Iron (38%) 5 mg
Magnesium (50%) 177 mg
Manganese (233%) 4.9 mg
Phosphorus (75%) 523 mg
Potassium (9%) 429 mg
Sodium (0%) 2 mg
Zinc (42%) 4 mg
Other constituents
β-glucan (soluble fibre) 4 g

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Can Hamsters eat oats?

Well, we can say that hamsters can eat oats and they are not toxic for then. But we must keep in mind that oats do contain a high level of acidic content. Plus, they do have high levels of phosphorus too.

This is why consuming too many oats can result in them getting sick. You must give them oats moderately and occasionally in order to ensure their health and safety.

How can Hamsters eat oats?

Oats should be eaten by hamsters only if they are completely unflavored or unseasoned. They should not contain any additives or have sugar added to them. You should always check the label first and make sure you buy plain oats.

 There is an option to give hamsters cooked or uncooked oats. When cooked, oats are mostly soaked in milk which is not ideal for hamsters.

In our opinion, some plain, uncooked oats can be sprinkled on top of their regular grains-as an occasional treat. A small pinch of oats added to their seed mix should be adequate. But this should not be made a part of their diet.

In case, you plan on giving them cooked oats, make sure to use lactose-free milk instead of the regular one. It can be readily and easily found in most supermarkets.

Furthermore, it is best to avoid giving oats or restrict them even further, if you have a pet hamster of the Dwarf breed. Syrian hamsters, that are larger in size, can safely eat them.

Risks of Eating oats for Hamsters

With hamsters, over-eating is a very common risk. These cute little animals are huge foodies, who love to devour lots of food. Hence, you must make sure they never over-eat, in order to avoid obesity. 

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Furthermore, hamsters are naturally diabetic. This means you should take extra care of their diet to keep their digestive system functioning normally.

Can Hamsters eat Green oats?

Green oats are also known as wild oats. These oats are considered quite nutritious and have antioxidants in them, making them very beneficial for heart health, and bone development.

You can safely add green oats to your hamsters’ diet as well. They can be given as a supplement to boost your pet hammies’ health. 

But we still recommend that you keep it occasional, as hamsters benefit from a varied diet with a multitude of healthy foods. 

Also, try to avoid unclipped whole oats as they can be quite sharp and can even harm your hamsters’ cheek pouches.

So, let your little furry friend enjoy some tasty oats from time to time while keeping in mind our tips and guidelines. Remember, your pet hammies’ safety and health always come first. Hence, you must keep control of its’ diet and make sure it eats in moderation.

Oats are a safe snack for your little pet, as long as they are not eaten in excess.