Can Hamsters Eat Spinach?

Spinach is one of those foods that we either love or hate. It can be very good when prepared in a certain way, like in a salad, or thrown inside an omelet. And those of us who know how delicious it can be only want to share this good food with those we love, including, hopefully, our pets.

But can you share your spinach with your hamster? The answer is an emphatic yes!

Can Hamsters Eat Spinach

As it turns out, spinach is a very popular hamster treat with a host of health benefits for your furry friend. But like all tasty snacks, there are some things to consider before you serve it up.

Read on to get the health information about spinach and find out if it’s a good fit for your hamster.

Spinach Nutrition Information

Spinach is a leafy green in the same family as (get this) beets. An entire cup of spinach gives you roughly the following amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds:

  • 1g carbohydrates
  • 7g fiber
  • .9g protein
  • .1g fat
  • 4mg vitamin c
  • 2,813iu vitamin a
  • 167mg potassium
  • 7mg calcium
  • 7mg magnesium
  • .8mg iron
  • 145mcg vitamin k
  • 2mcg folate
  • 7mg phosphorus

How Much Spinach Can You Give a Hamster?

The amount of spinach that you can safely give a hamster is largely dependent on the hamster’s age. Realistically, baby hamsters shouldn’t be eating any spinach. However, adult hamsters can safely chow down on 1-2 teaspoons of chopped spinach.  Syrian hamsters, being slightly larger than other breeds of hamster, can eat slightly larger portions, but should be kept an eye on.

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How Often Should You Give Your Hamster Spinach?

You can give your hamster spinach to eat as often as it would like. However, it’s important to balance Fluffy’s diet with typical hamster food, as too much fresh food – like spinach – may cause an upset stomach. When first introducing spinach into your hamster’s food rotation, keep an eye on them for a day or so to make sure no tummy troubles, such as diarrhea or indigestion, occur. 

How Should You Prepare Spinach for Your Hamster?

Roughly chopped spinach leaves are ideal for your hamster to munch on. This includes the stem. Of course, it is important to thoroughly wash the spinach before you serve it. You can also serve your hamster cooked spinach but do so in comparatively smaller portions than you would fresh spinach, since cooked spinach will involve preparation in oil or some other substance that might trigger an upset stomach more easily.

A Final Word on Spinach

Spinach 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 your leafy green veggies, 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.