Is it Safe for Dwarf Hamsters to Have Watermelon Rind?
One thing that stands out in watermelons for most people is the refreshing nature of the fruit. It is juicy, very satisfying, and sweet; it is most likely part of everyone’s favorite list.
Is it possible to give your pet this treat? Is it alright to share watermelons with your pet, and just how much is appropriate for them? Are the seeds dangerous for hamsters? Can they eat them?
The quick answer to this is “Yes.”
Beyond the quick answer, there is a lot that has to be said and explained regarding this subject matter. This article gives you a quick guide into all you need to know about hamsters and watermelons.
Nutrition Stats for Watermelons
If you want a filling summertime snack, you may want to choose watermelons as they are low in calories and very tasty.
For every one-cup of watermelon you eat, here is what you get:
- 0.6 grams of fiber
- 1 gram of protein
- 0.2 grams of fat
- 47 calories
- 5 grams of carbohydrate
Nutritional Facts About Watermelons
Watermelon is seething with loads of vitamins and minerals and numerous antioxidants that keep you and your hamster healthy. It has all these nutrients even though it is low in calories compared to other fruits like grapes and bananas.
For a single-cup serving of watermelon, you get:
- 3 milligrams of vitamin C
- 0.1 milligram of vitamin B6
- 2 milligrams of magnesium
- 170 milligrams of potassium
- 865 IU vitamin A
- 0.1 milligram of manganese
- 0.1 milligrams of copper
- 0.3 milligrams of pantothenic acid
- 0.1 milligram of thiamine
Can Hamsters Eat Watermelon?
It is Ok to feed hamsters with watermelon, but it is best not to give them excess.
Is Watermelon Good for Them?
It is best to describe watermelons as a healthy choice compared to other fruits, even if its content is a little sugary. The point is, don’t overdo it.
Do They Love Watermelon?
Well, generally speaking, there has not been any hamster that has turned down watermelons so far. We can almost conclude that they love to eat watermelon.
How Much Watermelon Is Right for Your Hamster?
You should not feed watermelons to your hamster in excess. Here is the recommended amount of watermelons you should feed your hamster:
Never feed baby hamsters with watermelons but for adult hamsters, let them have one teaspoon of watermelon.
For you, having to eat one teaspoon of watermelon is the joke of the century as it is very small and negligible. But for hamsters, a teaspoon is just adequate and side effects can ensue when you go beyond that quantity.
It is Ok for your hamsters to try out watermelons if they have been used to eating fruits and veggies previously. You also want to wait after 12 hours to observe your hamsters for any odd digestive signs such as bloating and diarrhea. Also, look out for signs of painful gas and stomach upset after feeding with watermelon.
If everything goes well and there are no hassles, you can keep on feeding your hamsters with watermelon occasionally. Don’t just feed your hamsters, also take cute and adorable pictures of them eating watermelons.
How Frequently Should Your Hamster Have Watermelon?
Allow your hamster to have watermelons once a week. Prevent against feeding it on the same day as with other fruits. Please take note of these:
- Do not proceed to feed your hamsters with watermelons if they have never had fruits and vegetables before. It is best to give them cucumber or celery; something pretty low in sugar first before giving them fresh food. Have them eat a little slice per week and then slowly increase the size.
- In the third week, it is safe to feed your hamster a little piece of watermelon especially if there are no side effects from the veggies. Giving it a quarter of a spoon is quite much. Increase the serving to about half of a teaspoon the following week.
You can stylishly introduce other fruits such as blueberries and strawberries or increase the teaspoon serving the week after.
It Is Essential to Have the Proper Diet
Hamsters are generally omnivores, meaning they feed both on plants and animals too. Overall, hamsters have a low sugar diet in the forest as they only eat what they see. They eat small creatures like worms and insects, and they also feed on plants in the wild.
Asides from fruits and vegetables, you could feed hamsters with the following daily:
- Chewable treats – To prevent overgrowth of their teeth, it is best to keep them chewing on dental treats. Hamster toys, coconut shells, hay cubes, unbleached loofah, and other chewable items should be easily accessible.
- Birdseed – It provides your hamster with healthy fats that top up your pet’s diet. Offering one teaspoon per week is enough.
- Water – for your pet to stay healthy, never leave out fresh, clean water from its diet. Make sure you constantly refill your hamster’s bottle with water daily.
- Protein treats – Dried mealworms are a good source of proteins for your hamster since your pets are omnivores. You can go on to give your hamsters a piece of chicken (cooked) and also boiled egg.
- Hamster pellets – High-quality food for hamsters usually come with all the needed nutrients for your hamster. Find out just how much is required to be given daily.
- Fresh hay – it not only is delicious and feeling for your hamster, it also helps pets build nests and tunnels.
Hamsters are natural hoarders and this act won’t go so well with a perishable fruit like watermelon. Make sure you quickly remove portions of watermelon that have been left uneaten. It is important to do this to keep hamsters from hiding within their bedding.
Other Healthy Alternatives
You could also consider the following treats for your pets:
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Green beans
- Red lettuce
- Basil
- Baby corn
- Sweet potato
- Beets
- Mint
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Sweet corn
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Endive
- Arugula