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Can Hamsters Eat Oranges?

If you want to keep your hamster healthy and lively, it is important to provide him a diet that is properly balanced and rich in nutrients. Apart from their commercially made hamster food, hamsters can also eat veggies and fruits (see if hamsters can eat bananas) but occasionally.

However, you should have in mind that not all vegetables and fruits are safe for hamsters. Some of them can be very dangerous and they can cause many health problems to your hamster. Because of that you should be well informed about a certain food before giving it to your hamster.

In this article we will deal with oranges. Are they safe for hamsters or they may be harmful? Have you ever heard that citrus fruits are bad for hamsters? In this article you will find out more about oranges and their impact on a hamster’s health. We will tell you if oranges are safe for hamsters or they may be harmful. You can also read our article on hamsters and whether pumpkin seeds are good for them.

More about Oranges

Oranges are fruits that belong to the citrus family. The orange is actually a hybrid. It is a fruit between mandarin and pomelo. Oranges are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients.

They also contain carbohydrates, sugars and dietary fiber. Like all other citrus fruits, orange is acidic and its flavor varies from sweet to sour. You can make an orange juice by squeezing oranges. Orange peel is also edible even tough people usually don’t eat it.

Oranges have a lot of health benefits for people, but what about hamsters? Can we share oranges with our little pets? You will get the answer below.

Are Oranges Safe for Hamsters to Eat?

If you are a hamster owner, you may be wondering if oranges are safe for your hamster. Well, we don’t have really good news for you. Oranges are not an appropriate fruit for hamsters and you should avoid them.

Actually, you should avoid feeding your hamster citrus fruits, such as lemon, oranges, tangerines and grapefruits. Citrus fruits are highly acidic and they can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea and other digestive problems in your hamster.

If your hamster really loves oranges, you can give him a very small amount of this fruit once in a while. It won’t probably do any harm to your hamster, but don’t do that very often. Oranges may be safe for hamsters as long as they are eaten in small amounts and without skin. It was believed before that the orange is dangerous for hamsters because its skin contains a toxic compound. This fact has been disproved later, but to avoid any health risks, it is best to remove the skin before feeding your hamster a slice of orange.

Also, if you decide to introduce orange in your hamster’s diet, you should start with very small amounts and you should watch the reaction of your hamster. If you notice any side effects, you should stop feeding your hamster oranges and try with some other fruits.

Summary

You have seen in this article that you should avoid feeding your hamster oranges and other citrus fruits. A small amount of oranges will not kill your hamster, but it will cause some digestive problems and make your hamster feel sick. Because of that, you should find some other fruits that are safe for hamsters, such as bananas, cherries, apples, strawberries or pears.

Also, you should always have in mind that not all foods that are safe for you are also safe for hamsters. Their tummies are too sensitive and they are not able to tolerate certain human foods. To avoid any health risks, don’t give oranges to your hamster because you are responsible for your hamster’s health.