Raspberries can be everything from a smoothie ingredient, to a pie filling, to a sweet snack all their own. And if you have a taste for raspberries, you’ll want to know – can you hamster also eat raspberries?
The answer to this important question is, in short, it depends. Certain breeds of hamster that aren’t recommended to have raspberries due to the sugar content, but other breeds are able to eat it in moderation.
Read on to get the health information about raspberries and find out whether or not it’s a good fit for your hamster.
Contents
Raspberries Nutrition Information
A whole cup serving gives you roughly the following amounts of vitamins, minerals, and compounds:
- 64 calories
- 14/7 g carbohydrates
- 8 g fiber
- 5 g protein
- .8 g fat
- 6 iu vitamin A
- 186 mg potassium
- 2 mg vitamin C
- .1 mg vitamin B6
- .8 mg manganese
- 1 mg magnesium
- .4 mg pantothenic acid
- .1 mg copper
- 7 mg phosphorus
- 7 mg calcium
- 6 mcg vitamin K
- 8 mcg folate
- 1 mg choline
Clearly raspberries is a very healthy food, but one fundamental question remains…
How Much Raspberries Can You Give a Hamster?
The amount of raspberries you can give a hamster is dependent largely on the age of the hamster. Baby hamsters should not eat any raspberries at all. Adult hamsters can have one large single raspberry, or two smaller raspberries. In order to get your hamster used to having raspberries, we recommend that you start them off with smaller portions.
Always make sure to wash the raspberries before you give them to your hamster.
How Often Should You Give Your Hamster Raspberries?
Raspberries should be given to hamsters only once in a while, even if Fluffy seems to have developed a taste for it. The recommended serving frequency is once or twice a week, and it’s also important not to give your hamster raspberries on the same day as you give it other fruits so as not to overdo it with sugar content. Monitor your hamster for about 12 hours after eating to make sure they exhibit no tummy troubles.
Always give raspberries to your hamster alongside a balanced diet of normal hamster food, and make sure that there is plenty of clean water for your hamster to drink after chowing down on some raspberries.
What Risks Are Associated With Feeding Hamsters Raspberries?
The sugar content in raspberries has the potential to trigger or worsen conditions such as obesity and diabetes over time. With that being said, raspberries are a better option than more sugary fruits like oranges. Certain breeds of hamsters are prone to such conditions, so it is important to consult your veterinarian prior to feeding your hamster raspberries, and to proceed under their guidance.
A Final Word on Hamsters and Raspberries
Raspberries can be a good source of vitamins and minerals for both people and animals, but when it comes to hamsters, it’s good to use a cautious approach when offering Hammy raspberries, only using small portions in accordance with the needs of your hamster breed or the recommendations of your vet. If you take all of the necessary factors into consideration, you and fluffy can be well on your way to sharing a delicious and healthy snack.