Everyone knows that spinach is good for humans, but can your little hamster eat this veggie too? Yes, hamsters can eat spinach!
However, that doesn’t mean you can just dump a tub of baby spinach into your hamster’s cage and walk away. There are definite do’s and don’ts involved, so read on!
Can Hamsters Eat Spinach?
Yes, hamsters can eat spinach. Both baby spinach and mature spinach are considered safe for hamsters. Although their nutritional composition varies slightly, it is worth noting that the difference between the two isn’t extensive, especially when you factor in that spinach shouldn’t replace a hamster’s meal.
As a supplementary vegetable, it would only form a small portion of their diet, and this further makes the difference between the two forms even more negligible from a nutritional standpoint.
Veterinarians sometimes use baby spinach in a puréed form alongside other purées (such as those of apples and carrots) to syringe feed hamsters that need critical care.
Can Spinach Be Harmful to Hamsters?
Generally speaking, spinach isn’t harmful to hamsters, but there are a few things to be aware of before feeding it to your little buddy.
The first is that you need to wash the spinach thoroughly before serving it. Spinach can contain pesticides, herbicides, and all manner of other chemicals that can be extremely harmful to hamsters, so you need to get all that off before your pet chows down on it.
Also, don’t go overboard with feeding them spinach. Eating too much spinach can create an overload in their system, which can lead to issues with digestion. This often manifests as diarrhea. Please note that diarrhea shouldn’t be taken lightly in hamsters, and it can quickly become debilitating. Therefore, it is important to seek veterinary attention if you notice this.
How Much Spinach Can My Hamster Eat?
The daily energy requirement of Syrian hamsters is around 28 calories per 100 grams (3.5 oz.) of body weight per day. Since spinach isn’t calorie dense, you should only feed a few leaves at most to your pet, so as to not have them feel satiated too quickly (and therefore, nutritionally deprived in the long run).
The daily energy requirement of dwarf hamsters is significantly higher than that of Syrian hamsters, but their relatively smaller size means they would also eat just a few leaves of spinach at most.
Spinach should only be offered a few times a week, and it should be gradually introduced into your hamster’s diet.
What If My Hamster Doesn’t Like Spinach?
If your hamster refuses to eat the spinach that you offer them, there isn’t much that you can do. Hamsters may sometimes reject foods, especially if they were not introduced to them at a young age.
You can still make sure your rodent is getting their dose of greens by offering them other healthy veggies, like carrots, broccoli, green beans, peas, and squash. Wash all produce thoroughly, and cut them into small pieces (and of course, watch your hamster closely to see how they handle the new food).
Conclusion
Hamsters can eat spinach safely and most of them enjoy it. As with any good thing, though, it’s possible to overdo it, and your hamster may experience gastrointestinal distress if they eat too much.
Seek veterinary attention if your hamster develops adverse reactions to spinach (particularly diarrhea). As always, it is best to discuss your hamster’s diet with your veterinarian, as their nutritional requirements depend on various factors.
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Featured image credit: Showmeyourflowers, Pixabay
