Is it Good for Dwarf Hamsters to Have Banana?
Banana is no doubt, one of the most common fruits all over the world. The sweetness of this fruit makes it a favorite to both man and animals. It is common knowledge that bananas are good for your health, but are they also good for hamsters?
If you said yes to that question, then another thing you should consider is how much bananas is ok to be fed hamsters?
We can then conclude that even if we can give hamsters bananas to eat, caution has to be taken about the quantity offered. The fact remains that feeding your hamster with bananas can make it sick if eaten in excess.
Nutrition Stats of Bananas
Bananas not only give you a great deal of energy, but they also supply fiber adequately to help maintain a healthy digestive system.
For every banana (medium-sized) that you consume, here is what you get:
- 3 grams of fiber
- 0.4 gram of fat
- 27 gram of carbohydrate
- 105 calories
- 3 grams of protein
Nutritional Facts of Bananas
Bananas have been a proven source of calories, a rich calorie source compared to their other counterparts. You can always bank on them as good energy sources and fuels, especially after a rigorous workout.
Here is what is offered by every medium-sized banana:
- 14 micrograms of folate
- 3 micrograms of vitamin C
- 0.31 milligram of iron
- 0.5 milligrams of riboflavin
- 6 milligrams of calcium
- 17 milligrams of magnesium
- 76 IU of vitamin A
- 5 milligrams of vitamin B6
- 24 milligrams of phosphorus
- 5 milligrams of manganese
Can Hamsters Eat Banana?
The simple answer is Yes. They should only eat it in very small quantities and not every time. It is unhealthy to give your hamster bananas that have extra sugars. Instead, give hamsters dried bananas and the ones which have no preservatives added to them.
Is Banana Healthy for Hamsters?
It is best for your pets to have bananas once in a while, and not as a major treat.
Do They Love Banana?
It is only natural for hamsters to love bananas as they normally do so with other sweet fruits. We can simply say that hamsters go head-over-heels for bananas.
What Quantity of Banana Is Adequate for Your Hamster?
This statement is painful, but it would be said anyway. Your hamsters should not eat many bananas at all. Here is the quantity of bananas your hamster should be getting:
Baby hamsters should have no bananas, while adult hamsters should only have a quarter of a teaspoon quantity of banana.
The reason for the incredible reduction in the quantity you previously have fed your hamster with is to keep your hamster safe. Too much sugar is bad news for your pet. Here is another vital information we would let you in on hamsters and bananas:
If your pet has never had a taste of fruit in the past, it won’t be best to expose your hamster to bananas as the first sweet treat. It is best, to begin with, less sugary fruits like blueberries or grapes.
If your pet has been eating fruits and vegetables regularly, then give them half the recommended amount on first exposure. After this, watch and carefully observe them for any signs of digestive disturbances, e.g., diarrhea or stomach upset.
If the coast is clear and there are no issues, then go ahead after 24 hours to give them a full serving.
How Frequently Should a Hamster Have Bananas?
The simple technique to this is to give your hamsters bananas only once every seven days, and it shouldn’t be served alongside sugary treats.
If you just newly got a hamster, it is best not to start feeding it bananas right away. It is best, to begin with, fresh foods such as cucumbers, as hamsters can get sick eating bananas in excess. Before giving your pet a piece of banana, let it first be nourished with watermelons, grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and other fresh foods.
It Is Important to Have the Correct Diet
What hamsters eat in the forest is dependent on factors such as what is available and what season it is. Your pets are omnivores, which means that they feed on both plants and animals. That means they can be given some dried mealworms or even a little bit of boiled egg.
This action might not be necessary as hamster pellets are now available and formulated to deliver complete nutrition. Asides from these quality pellets, you could also feed your hamsters these:
- Birdseed – It is a great source of fats, and it is fun for your hamster to munch on. Offer a teaspoon of bird seeds to your hamster once a week.
- Fruits and veggies in very minimal proportions – They should be offered to your pet once everyday or just once every other day.
- Fresh, clean water – Ensure you refill your hamster’s bottle with water daily as water is essential for every animal.
- Timothy hay – Let your hamster feed on this essential and delicious treat in unlimited supply. They would also use it to make nests and tunnels as they feed on it also.
- Chewable treats – These are important for your hamster’s dental health as they prevent painful overgrowth of your hamster’s teeth. Some common favorites include coconut shell, unbleached loofah, hay cubes, softwood sticks (untreated). Many hamster toys could serve this purpose.
Due to the hoarding nature of hamsters, they would always want to keep food for later. Therefore, it is important to get rid of untouched fresh foods from their surroundings as quickly as they end nibbling. It might not be the case with bananas, but it is worthy of note as hidden veggies and fruits can become spoilt.
Other Alternatives to Bananas in a Hamster’s Diet
Although bananas are a favorite treat for hamsters, other equally healthy options also exist and are readily available.
Here is a list of some vegetables that hamsters are usually fond of:
- Red lettuce
- Buttercrunch lettuce
- Green beans
- Escarole
- Spinach
- Bibb lettuce
- Bell pepper
- Green beans
- Celery
- Winter squash
- Cucumber
- Parsnip
- Pumpkin
- Broccolini
- Broccoli
- Summer squash
- Tomato
- Zucchini
- Watercress
- Yu Choy
- Cauliflower
- Bok choy
- Baby corn
- Sweet corn
- Basil
- Artichoke
- Asparagus
- Parsley
- Mint
- Cilantro
- Cabbage
- Beets
- Romaine lettuce
- Beet tops
- Carrot tops
- Cooked potatoes
- Endive
- Arugula
- Sprouts
- Swiss chard
- Romaine
- Rocket
- Carrots
Most fruits and vegetables are safe for hamsters, but it is still very important to do thorough research before adding new foods to their diet. The truth is that some foods are toxic to them, and you do not want to mistakenly feed your hamster with something poisonous. Foods like that can ultimately lead to sickness for your pet and sometimes death, so it’s best to avoid it primarily.
Now, you are left with two options; make your hamsters happy with bananas right away or make them get used to other foods first.
Can Hamsters Eat Banana Peel?
It is only safe to give your hamsters banana peel if it has been well scrubbed to eliminate any toxic elements or it’s organic. To find out if this goes well with your hamster, give them a tiny silver for a trial. They do not usually enjoy banana peels, but it is highly nutritious for your hamsters.
Never forget to carefully introduce your hamster to bananas by giving it one-quarter of a teaspoon once a week. It should be done after they have been well introduced to fresh foods like cucumbers first.
