Hamsters eat a lot of different foods! In the wild, they aren\u2019t too choosy. They eat whatever they come across, and the high variety they wind up encountering provides them with an overall healthy diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In captivity, owners have to be careful about what they feed their hamsters. Even though a hamster will eat most things, it\u2019s important for owners to decide whether they should or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grapes and raisins are known to pet owners, because for cats and dogs they can be quite harmful. But what about for hamsters? Can hamsters eat grapes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hamsters can eat grapes, but only as a special treat and in small amounts. This is the case for many fruits like kiwi<\/a> for example. Quantities depend on the size and age of the hamster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s learn more about feeding grapes to hamsters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contents<\/p> Grape skin and seeds are dangerous to hamsters. They are both a choking hazard, and the skin could also be carrying harmful pesticides or other substances that your little rodent might have a hard time digesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s best to only feed your hamster seedless grapes, peeling them beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grapevines and their leaves are not safe for your hamster. Always make sure grape stems and leaves are cleared away. These parts of the plant could also contain hazardous substances like pesticides which could really hurt or even kill your pet hamster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raisins (dried grapes) are also edible for hamsters, but there are some special considerations just like there are for grapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most notably, grapes have high amounts of sugar. Raisins are even higher in sugar, sometimes containing more than soft drinks do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the sugar content, grapes are a healthful food. \u00bc cup of grapes contains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to health fibers, vitamins and minerals, grapes also contain antioxidants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In small amounts, grapes can benefit your hammy. They contain no salt and are virtually fat free. And if your tiny rascal is having a little trouble in the bathroom department, the fiber in grapes can help things move along and get your hamster back to regular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some benefits your hamster could glean from the micronutrients in grapes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raisins offer some extra nutritional benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of healthy reasons to feed your hamster grapes. However, you do need to weigh the pros and cons. There are also some concerns when it comes to hamsters and grapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The high-sugar content in grapes and raisins is the main concern when it comes to hamsters eating grapes. A meal with a lot of sugar can upset a hammy\u2019s stomach and give it diarrhea. The stickiness of raisins adds another layer of concern because they could cause a hamster\u2019s teeth to rot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hamsters (especially dwarf hamsters) are prone to diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where the animal\u2019s blood sugar is at extremely high levels. Normally, naturally-produced insulin regulates blood-sugar levels, but when an animal has diabetes, they have lost the ability to produce insulin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diabetes is especially dangerous for an animal as small as a hamster. They aren\u2019t born with diabetes, but many of them have genetic dispositions toward getting the disease. That\u2019s why diet and exercise are extremely important for hamsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few ways of preventing diabetes in your hamster:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you stay aware of your hamster\u2019s overall diet and wellbeing, you can safely treat them with grapes occasionally. Just know that there are some very good reasons for feeding them sweet fruits in small amounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Never feed grapes to baby hamsters. An adult hamster\u2019s grape portion depends on its size. Syrian hamsters are larger and can eat slightly more than dwarf hamsters. Syrians can have \u00bc teaspoon of grape every week, but dwarfs shouldn\u2019t have any more than that amount every two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that one raisin is a whole grape, even though it\u2019s smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t combine grapes with other sweet fruits. Remember that grapes aren\u2019t the only food with high-sugar content!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to never feed a whole grape to a hamster. First, a grape should be thoroughly washed and peeled, as well as cut into halves or quarters to ensure easy munching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you first feed a grape to your hamster, start with a tiny taste test. Observe how they react to the grape over the next half-day or so. Do they get an upset tummy? Do they have a lackluster initial reaction when you feed them the grape?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your hammy loves the grape and doesn\u2019t have a bad reaction to it, feel free to give them small amounts of grapes or raisins as a sometimes treat. Moderation is key for a happy and healthy hammy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What Parts of a Grape Can Hamsters Eat?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nutritional Facts of Grapes<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Health Benefits of Grapes and Raisins<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Health Concerns for Hamsters That Eat Grapes and Raisins<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Diabetes in Hamsters<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Much Grape Should My Hamster Eat?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Feed Grapes to Hamsters<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n