In case you are interested in habitats for two hamsters, our recent article might help you with valuable information. When you have a pet, it is very important for you to do your homework and learn everything there is to know about the animal you are caring for.
One of the most important pieces of information you need to know is the dietary requirements of your little companion. We all know that veggies are recommended for a healthy lifestyle. But what about hamsters? Can they eat cucumber and other types of vegetables?
Below, we are going to answer this question and offer more details about the nutritional requirements of your hamster.
A Hamster’s Diet
First of all, when you get a new pet, you need to know more about the species’ lifestyle in the wild. Even if your pet is domesticated and has nothing to do with their relatives from the wild, the natural instinct of the species remains.
Out there, a hamster’s diet is adapted to the area where it lives, usually, a dry place, regularly near the edge of a desert. Wild hamsters eat grain, seeds, grasses, but also some insects. These animals are omnivores which means that, similarly to humans, they require a mixed diet of meat and vegetation.
Therefore, domesticated hamsters require a similar diet to that of their relatives in the wild. It is also very important not to overfeed your pet. It is normal behavior for a hamster to beg for more food, even if his or her cheek pouches are full.
You should know that they usually do not eat all the food in their cheeks right away, but rather store it under their bedding. That is why you need to be careful when it comes to the food quantity you are providing.
Feeding Your Hamster
You can get the right type of food for your hamster from any pet shop. Usually, you will be recommended pellets or muesli. It is best to look for food that seems natural because very colored foods are full of additives.
Aside from pellets, hamsters love vegetables and fruits. However, you need to be cautious with the quantities. These are small creatures and too much fruit and veggies can cause diarrhea. A small cube of cucumber, carrot, or apple is enough.
Hamsters love carrots but due to the high sugar content, it is best to avoid feeding your pet too much of it.
There are other fruits and vegetables that are also suitable for your hamster, such as pear, banana, peach, broccoli, cauliflower, or chicory.
One thing to remember is that you should never feed your small friend any citrus fruit or onions because they are high in acid and they can disturb your pet’s stomach.
If you want to offer your cute companion a treat once a week, you can give him or her a little hard-boiled egg or some mealworms. These are both great sources of protein.
Actually, it is very easy to ensure a healthy diet for your pet. Another thing you should avoid is sharp or sticky food. It can become stuck in his or her cheek pouches and cause a lot of damage. Anyway, as long as you provide a balanced and fresh diet every day, your little hamster will not only be happy but healthy, as well.
Time for Food
Besides the type and quantity of food you should provide your hamster with, another important aspect to consider is the right time to feed your friend. According to specialists, you should offer about 10 grams of pellets twice a day.
There is a bit of a disagreement as to when exactly you should provide your hamster his or her food. There are people who believe that it is best to do this in the evening when the pet is more active. This might be because, in the wild, hamsters usually go in search of food at night, but this is mainly to protect themselves from daytime predators.
Similarly to their domestic relatives, they collect food in their cheek pouches and eat it later. Hamsters actually wake up during the day several times and eat the food they have stored.
Your hamster also enjoys snacking during the day, so you need to make sure the food he or she has is enough to allow this. Regarding the feeding routine, please remember not to leave uneaten food to rot.
It is important to provide fresh food every time you feed your pet. Water is also part of your hamster’s diet, so make sure it is fresh. You need to change the water daily and thoroughly clean the bottle at least once a week. In case your tap water is rich in chlorine, you can provide your pet with filtered water.
Hamsters and Cucumber
Now that we know what type of food you can give your hamster, it is time to return to the question from the beginning – can hamsters eat cucumber?
Where cucumber is concerned, it is safe to feed it to your small rodent, but in moderation. As previously mentioned, hamsters tend to eat or store however much they have at their disposal. When you want to feed him or her cucumber, make sure you cut it into small pieces so it’s easy for your pet to chew properly.
We must return to this idea because even the healthiest food can cause damage if eaten in excess. If he or she eats too much cucumber, your hamster’s stool can become loose, due to the vegetable’s watery consistency.
A slice, offered two times a week, should be enough for your pet. You need to make sure all bacteria is removed by washing the cucumber well. You can also peel off the vegetable peel, but that is also full of vitamins.
You should know that diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration as well as other health problems in hamsters. In case your pet has eaten too much cucumber and has diarrhea, make sure you limit all fresh fruits and vegetables from his or her diet until things get back to normal. However, if the symptoms do not improve fast, take your pet to a vet immediately.
The Benefits of Eating Cucumbers
Like watermelon, cucumbers are 95% water. This veggie is a great treat especially for overweight hamsters because of the cucumber’s high water content which also makes it low in calories. The high water content is also good in case your hamster is unwilling to drink water.
Cucumbers are also excellent for baby hamsters as they will get the necessary fluids for healthy growth and development. Constipation is usually caused by dehydration. Cucumbers contain dietary fiber that adds bulk to the stool making it easier for your pet to have regular bowel movements.
Moreover, increasing the amount of fiber in your hamster’s diet is one of the best ways to get rid of constipation. Furthermore, the combination of water and fiber found in cucumbers is great for regulating your pet’s digestion and it can also reduce the risk of other health issues.
Therefore, providing cucumber to your hamster is not only good, but it can also improve your pet’s health. However, make sure the quantity you are feeding your friend is a moderate one.
