Ever find yourself craving a salty snack? One of the best things to reach for in those moments is a handful of pretzels. And those of us who love pretzels may find the impulse to share with our loved ones a strong one, even with our pets.
But can your hamster eat pretzels? The answer is technically yes, in small amounts and under supervision, but that feeding pretzels to your hamster is not recommended.
Read on to get the health information about pretzels and find out whether or not it’s a good fit for your hamster.
Contents
Pretzels Nutrition Information
One cup of pretzels will give you roughly the following amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds:
- 1.2 grams fat
- 496 miligrams sodium
- 89 miligrams potassium
- 32 grams carbohydrates
- 1.4 grams fiber
- .9 grams sugar
- 4 grams protein
- 1.4 percent daily value vitamin c
- 1.1 percent daily value calcium
- 10 percent daily value iron
Regardless of the serving, it seems clear that the health benefits of pretzels aren’t exactly numerous, which is probably why they’re classified as junk food no matter the species.
How Much Pretzels Can You Give a Hamster?
The amount of pretzel you can safely give a hamster depends on its age. Baby hamsters should not eat any pretzels at all. Adult hamsters can have the equivalent of a small pretzel stick, dependent on their size and their breed, as certain breeds may have difficulty eating pretzels.
How Often Should You Give Your Hamster Pretzels?
The recommended serving suggestion for pretzels and hamsters is once a month at most. Only give your hamster a pretzel piece to munch on under your supervision and alongside their regular diet of hamster food and plenty of fresh water. Making sure Fluffy has plenty of fresh water to drink is important as the salt content in the pretzels has the potential to leave them dehydrated.
What Risks Are Associated With Feeding Hamsters Pretzels?
In the case of hamsters and pretzels, the risk may well outweigh the reward. Similarly to bacon, the salt content in pretzels poses the potential for kidney problems. And the amount of fat, sodium, and sugar contained inside pretzels poses the risk for obesity, diabetes, and indigestion. Certain breeds are predisposed to conditions like these, so it’s important to consult your veterinarian prior to attempting to feed your hamster pretzels.
A Final Word On Pretzels
Pretzels are a very tasty snack. They provide just the right amount of salty flavor and make a satisfying crunch. But you may want to think twice before you give a pretzel stick to your hamster. As you’ve seen, the nutritional content of pretzels is too high in the wrong sorts of things in order to make the risk of potential health problems worth taking.
Like many good things, hamsters and pretzels fall under the category of just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If you want to give your hamster a crunchy snack, consider giving them something better suited to their diet instead, like lettuce, kale, or celery.
