Hamsters need a healthy diet in order to live a long and happy life. They enjoy eating most fruits and vegetables, but some of them are not safe for hamsters. Before feeding your hamster a certain food, you should be well informed whether this food is safe for him or not.
In this article we will talk about watermelon. If you are a hamster owner, you may be wondering whether watermelon is safe for your hamster. It is known that watermelon is a favorite fruit of many people, but what about hamsters? Can they also eat this juicy fruit or it may be harmful to them? Read along and you will get the answers, but first we will tell you something more about watermelon. Also, learn if hamsters can munch on crackers on our site while you’re at it.
More about Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant that is native to southern Africa, but today it is grown all over the world. It is a large annual plant that is grown for its edible fruit, also called a watermelon.
Watermelon has a smooth and hard rind and it is usually green with dark green strips. The flesh of watermelon is red or dark pink and it is very sweet and juicy. There are seeds in the interior of watermelon flesh and they are also edible. Watermelon is rich in vitamin C, but it is low in other essential nutrients.
Interesting fact is that 91% of watermelon is made of water. Watermelon is low in calories, so it can help in weight loss.
Is Watermelon Safe for Hamsters?
If your hamster has eaten a piece of watermelon, don’t panic! We have good news for you. Watermelon is safe for your hamster, but as well as all other fruits you have to introduce watermelon slowly into your hamster’s diet. It is known that large amounts of fruits can cause diarrhea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems in your hamster’s diet.
Because of that, it is best to feed your hamster a small piece of watermelon first. It is enough to feed your hamster watermelon once or twice a week. Later you can give him a small piece of watermelon more often, three or four times a week. If there are no side effects, it means that watermelon is completely safe for your pet.
However, many experts consider that hamsters should be fed watermelon only occasionally. It is not their regular food, so it should be only an additional part of their diet.
Also, watermelon is high in sugar, which is not good for hamsters. Because of that, watermelon should be served only as occasional treat. Because of its high water content, watermelon can cause diarrhea and make your hamster sick if it is consumed in large amounts.
Also, it is very important to wash thoroughly watermelon and all other fruits that you are giving to your hamster.
Summary
As you should know by now, there are some types of fruits and vegetables that are not safe for hamsters. Although hamsters enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables, some of them can be harmful.
To avoid any side effects, it is always best to check what is safe to feed your hamster. Remember that you are the only responsible for the health of your hamster. When it comes to watermelon, you don’t have to worry. This fruit is perfectly safe for your hamster, but you should feed him small portions of watermelon. If consumed in large amounts, watermelon can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.
As long as you feed your hamster watermelon in moderation, this fruit can be a great addition to your hamster’s diet. Read about hamsters eating spinach next.
