Who doesn’t love rice? It’s one of the most versatile foods across the board. And if you enjoy rice, you may be wondering if this tasty treat is one that your pet would also like – especially if you have a hamster.
But can your hamster eat rice? The answer is a cautious yes, dependent on the breed of hamster that you have, and how the rice is prepared.
Read on to get the health information about rice and find out whether or not it’s a good fit for your hamster.
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Rice Nutrition Information
Because different types of rice contain different levels of nutrients, we’ve brought you the nutrition information for a one cup serving of cooked white rice and brown rice.
A one cup serving of cooked brown rice gives you roughly the following amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds:
- Calories: 248
- Protein: 5.5 grams (g)
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Iron: 1.13 milligrams (mg)
- Thiamin (vitamin B1): 0.36mg
- Niacin (vitamin B3): 5.17mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.25mg
- Magnesium: 79mg
- Phosphorus: 208mg
A one cup serving of cooked white rice gives you roughly the following amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds:
- Calories: 205
- Protein: 4.25g
- Fat: 0.4g
- Carbohydrates: 44.5g
- Fiber: 0.6g
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Iron: 1.9mg
- Thiamin (vitamin B1): 0.26mg
- Niacin (vitamin B3): 2.33mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.15mg
- Magnesium: 19mg
- Phosphorus: 68mg
How Much Rice Can You Give a Hamster?
The amount of rice you can safely give a hamster depends on its age. Baby hamsters should not eat any rice. Newborns should pretty much only have their mother’s milk as a food source. Adult hamsters can safely eat a few grains of rice at a time under supervision. Always make sure rice is given to your hamster alongside a balanced diet of regular hamster food.
Hamsters may eat cooked or uncooked rice that is free of any salt or seasoning. Cooked rice should not be too moist or too overcooked.
How Often Should You Give Your Hamster Rice?
The recommended serving frequency can be up to three times per week, depending on the size of your hamster and the size of the rice treat being provided. Small rice treats can be given to your hamster as frequently as every other day, while larger rice treats can be given once a week.
What Risks Are Associated With Feeding Hamsters Rice?
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 rice.
It’s recommended to consult your vet before you give your hamster rice to ensure that your hamster is good to eat rice.
Additionally, if your hamster sticks a piece of cooked rice in their pouch, it has the potential to become impacted, and then infected, requiring extensive vet care and recovery.
A Final Word on Hamsters and Rice
Rice 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 some to Hammy, only using small portions in accordance with the needs of your hamster breed or the recommendations of your vet.
