Since broccoli contains calcium, potassium, and iron as well as Vitamins A, C, K, B6, niacin, and riboflavin; its a very good bone health-boosting food. Love it or hate it, you might be wondering if this veggie is OK for your pet. Broccoli is a good source of vitamins and minerals. And I'm always happy to share my knowledge with others. Well, not so fast. Is it safe to give raw broccoli to a hamster, and if so, how much should they eat? Hamsters can eat broccoli if it's finely chopped and fed to them in small amounts. While the information presented is deeply researched and sourced, it is not to be used as a substitute for veterinary guidance. Available from: https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/small-pet-care/hamster-care-guide/A0092.html, 2. Find him on FACEBOOK. Step 1: Chop the broccoli into bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Petsmart.com. Baby hamsters should only be given very small amounts of broccoli to start with, as their tummies are very delicate. 5% crude fiber. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Oftentimes, frozen veggies contain even more nutrients than their non-frozen counterparts because theyre flash-frozen at optimal times to preserve as many nutrients as possible. August 25, 2021 by John Eppler. They also like leafy greens such as spinach and kale. (Read This First), Why Do Hamsters Put Food in Their Cheeks? Step 2: Place the pieces in a bowl of water and allow them to soak for 10 minutes before feeding them to your hamster. Additionally, try to avoid giving all the varieties on the same day. Kaytee Timothy Biscuits Baked Carrot Treat, 4-Oz Bag. Ideally, you should give your hamster fresh, organic broccoli, but buy the best vegetable you can. However, it is better to know that it cannot replace their regular diet food, but you can add it as an additional treat to improve their health, so they eat various foods. If you give your baby hamster too much broccoli or other vegetables, he could get sick or even die. ), Can Hamsters Live Outside? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Make sure that you feed broccoli as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Why Its Not For All. Any un-ripe fresh food. Always avoid feeding your hamster broccoli thats gone bad. If you want to feed your hamster with broccoli, the ideal is to do it two to three times per week, or even just once a week for dwarf hamsters. Hamster Care Sheet & Guide | PetSmart [Internet]. This treat can be fed raw or cooked, but it is safer to go with the latter. Are Hedgehogs Nocturnal? Carrots and sweet potatoes. 3-Step System for Testing New Hamster Treats, Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix 2lbs, Oxbow Animal Health Garden Select Hamster And Gerbil Food, Garden-Inspired Recipe for Hamsters And Gerbils, Non-GMO, Made In The USA, 1.5 Pound Bag, Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Pet Hamster & Gerbil Food, 3 Pound, 4 Simple Steps on How to Mount UVB Light for Reptile Tanks, How to Build Your Own Bearded Dragon Cages (9 Steps to Follow), Test if your hamster can eat the treat. With the numerous nutrients it offers, there are a thousand and one reasons to feed your hamster broccoli. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You have to be more careful while offering this food to their babies as their stomach is sensitive to infections if you feed them without properly washing vegetables. Hamsters can eat broccoli in raw, steamed, roasted, and dehydrated forms, but it is better to feed your pet in cooked form. As such, there is always the possibility that your hamster might enjoy broccoli when prepared in a particular way. If your hamster doesnt like broccoli or if youre simply looking for ideas of other foods to feed them. Understanding the Causes and Solutions. Too much of a good thing can quickly turn into a bad thing! When it comes to vitamins, broccoli has exceptionally high amounts of vitamins A, C, D, K and beta-carotene. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Accordingly, it is better to know the ideal amount and frequency of consumption is safe for them. Not all vegetables are safe for them to eat and some can even be poisonous. As mentioned, broccoli is not necessarily bad for your hamster; the issue is the quantity. Just make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and thawed before offering it to your little friend. Robo hamsters on the other side require less amount than their bigger cousins. It can be offered in different forms, as some like it to be a crunchy snack, while others like a steamed one. You just need to wash the broccoli thoroughly, introduce it gradually and give your hamster the correct amount. When introducing a new kind of feed to your hamster, you should first give a small amount and observe for a week for any negative reaction to the food. brans). At the same time, some foods are toxic to hamsters, so youll want to do a few minutes worth of research to ensure that every new food you feed your hamster is safe. This can help prevent heart disease, constipation, and other serious health problems down the road if you include it in your pets daily diet. These vegetable parts are rich in calcium and iron, which means your hamster will benefit from it. Only give a little bit at a time two small leaves or one big one. Unless advised otherwise by your vet, broccoli is a healthy vegetable that hamsters can eat, but make sure it is cleaned properly first. Due to their tiny size, dwarf hamsters will obviously eat less than their larger cousins, the Syrian hamsters and should be given even smaller portions. Start slowly, and build up the quantity you feed gradually. In fact, you might have even been recommended to never ever give your hamster some veggies. A bit of celery (carefully prepared, see our guide to giving celery to hamsters!) Therefore, consider steaming broccoli occasionally for a texture change. Further, well go over whether broccoli is beneficial for hamsters to eat. But have you ever wondered whether its safe for your hamster to munch on it? It should come at most three times a week and never as the main hamster food. Broccoli has a whole lot of good to offer to your hamsters, but there are some precautions that you must take before feeding. The reason why it became such a hit with people around the world was that, first and foremost, broccoli tastes really delicious. It is estimated that around 85 to 90% water is present in it. The florets could hide tiny insects , so it's best to give them a good check. Humans started keeping hamsters as pets relatively recently. You can definitely feed your tiny little buddy some broccoli; you just need to follow the rules. You can check to see if your hamster likes broccoli by offering a tiny bit and watching what happens next. Lets take a look at how much of this delicious vegetable each hamster breed can have. Yes, dogs can eat broccoli rabe safely. You should try to feed your hamster broccoli as much as possible. But you'll have to introduce it to your pet to make sure that your particular hammy does like it. Now that you know your hamster can eat broccoli, you might have some other questions before feeding your hamster this nutrient-rich vegetable. What can Hamsters eat? It has a plethora of health benefits, but moderation is key. But does the same apply to hamsters? Moreover, broccoli is most nutritious when raw since it has all its nutrients. Did you know that broccoli is said to help prevent cancer and improve digestion? However, cooking the stalk does not mean that you can add seasonings or spices because they are not suitable for their sensitive stomach. It helps produce compounds that are involved in the strengthening of immunity. Check out any list of the planets most nutritious vegetables, and theres a very good chance that youll see broccoli and broccoli leaves somewhere on it! Broccoli is a safe vegetable for baby hamsters and can be added to their diet as a treat. Can Hamsters Eat Tomatoes? I enjoy spending time with my pets and believe that they are a valuable part of the family. It is normal to wonder how much you can give to your furry little friend, also if your pet can die from overeating broccoli. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For starters, it can dilute the levels of sodium and other electrolytes in its system, thereby causing a nutrient deficiency. The best baby food for hamsters would be one that only contains broccoli as an ingredient, with no added spices, salt, sugar or preservatives. Even before we get lost into the world of hamster treats, its worth looking at what broccoli is and how it came to be a favorite vegetable. So, what parts of broccoli can your hamster eat? from damage. What Are Their Health Benefits? For these little buddies, a 1/2 a teaspoon of broccoli a week will just be fine. They are more chewable and comfortable for your pet to handle. In addition, a dehydrated vegetable is also a good option when you remove moisture by keeping it in a dehydrator for a few minutes, and it becomes safe to consume even if it exceeds the required limit. This means that it has had almost all of its water extracted. The fact that the digestive system didnt react with the small amount you offered the first time doesnt mean that it can handle larger amounts. Even if your hamster decides they dont like broccoli, you might want to think about eating it more often! This tasty treat also helps cleanse the body by ensuring that no toxic substances remain in it for a long time. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This means that they need to consume a wide variety of food sources to get the nutrients that are vital to them. Step 2: Place the pieces in a bowl of water and allow them to soak for 10 minutes before feeding them to your hamster. Broccoli is a low-calorie vegetable that contains healthy nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and dietary fiber. They are known to be crunchy, and your hamsters might definitely enjoy munching on them. Most hamsters like broccoli but its not as universally loved as some other fruits and vegetables. If that is your hamster, do not force them to eat it. Although wheat bread is hypoallergenic for hamsters and therefore safer, white bread might pose some issues. While hamsters can have dehydrated berries, these tend to be more concentrated in sugar due to the absence of 84% water content. In fact, 90% of broccoli is water. However, it has to be in small quantities as their bodies cannot deal with heavily enriched food. (What You Should Know), Can Hamsters Learn Their Name? Broccoli contains a lot of water, if you feed your hamster too much of it out of nowhere it can result in diarrhea. As mentioned, your hamster should eat a maximum of three small pieces of this vegetable per week. And with all those nutrients, it offers a long list of health benefits that makes it even better as a treat for your hamster. Can hamsters have broccoli? This means that their digestive systems are still the same as those of their wild siblings. Today, 70% of the broccoli comes from China and India, USA being the 3rd largest producer. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' know. Steamed, sauted, or raw and crunchy, broccoli is one of the worlds most popular vegetables. Remember to choose fresh broccoli: Always give your hamster fresh food. Even though broccoli might not be on their natural menu, its a food theyd probably choose for themselves if they had the opportunity! Well, one thing most pet caregivers may not know is that broccolis are actually one of the most incredible treats you can give your hamster in moderation and in fact, it could be the treat that ends up as the most favorite for your furry friend! Rhubarb. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If you have, thats one of the most common questions hamster owners ask. How Long Can a Hamster Go Without Food? If your hamster already eats gas-producing veggies like cabbage, broccoli, and . A Guide for Pet Owners, Why is My Chinchillas Poop Wet? So, you can feed them any part of this vegetable, but it has to be in a moderate amount. If your hamster just arrived home from the rescue or pet store and youre not sure if theyve ever had veggies or fruit, dont offer broccoli just yet. It makes for one of the most nutritious vegetables around the world. Make sure to provide your tiny furry buddy with nutritious food that is suitable and healthy for them to eat every day. Calcium is very important for maintaining strong bones and muscle tissue in both humans and hamsters alike, while iron plays an important role in producing red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body (which helps prevent fatigue). As stated above, all cultivars of the same treatment aren't always safe. Can Hamsters Travel in a Car? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Weve earlier termed it as a nutritious treat. Baby hamster. Its also a good way to normalize your pets glucose levels and avoid dangerous fluctuations that may occur if their bodies release too much insulin when theres too much glucose in the blood. Contents show. Non-organic food contains a lot of pesticides which are bad for our furry friends. If you want to make an extra cute little salad for your hamster, nothing could be easier. To recap: A small amount of well-washed broccoli is a good addition to your hamsters diet and most hamsters enjoy eating it. You can find a lot of flavour in the shops countaining ingredients that should be avoided: All these vegetables belong to the Allium family and are actually toxic to hamsters. However, there is probably some healthy, nutritious food out there that you don't particularly enjoy. Broccoli Stems: The stem of broccoli is the last part of the plant thats safe for your pet. Also, hamsters can't digest . Here are those precautions: Always go for the organic variety: When youre shopping for broccoli, always look out for the organic type. None. Yes. Can Hamsters Eat Blueberries? Ensure that you only offer tiny pieces of broccoli to your hamster. Just make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and thawed before offering it to your little friend. The dwarf variety comes last on the least as one with the minimum recommended intake levels. 2. Heres the thing: Just like some people really love broccoli and others cant even stand the thought of it, some hamsters like broccoli and others dont care for it at all. It should come at most three times a week and never as the main hamster food. Continue with Recommended Cookies. It is not a good idea to feed your hamster raw broccoli, due to the fact that it is harder for them to digest and may cause diarrhea. Broccoli Florets: The second part thats safe for you hamster is the florets. (5 Precautions Before Feeding), Explore 30+ Beautiful British Shorthair Colors & Patterns (With Pictures! Broccoli is a staple in most peoples diets. Is it safe for hamsters to eat raw broccoli? As such, the body of a hamster is not designed to handle diets that contain a lot of water. There is no part of the vegetable thats toxic. None. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Dont offer it on the same day as you provide other veggies that might produce gas! Provide fresh water every day. should hamsters eat broccoli? This is to ensure that it has no trace of any chemicals and pesticides. This vegetable is incredibly rich in many important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. They need soft foods like over-cooked pasta or rice, bread crusts (e.g. When you dont notice any negative effects, increase the amount gradually. On the whole, broccoli offers a lot of benefits to your pet hamster, as long as its fed in moderation. When it comes to hamsters, however, moderation is key. Any over-ripe fresh food. Step 3: Change the water every day if you have leftovers or once every two days if you only have enough for one meal. If your hamster seems to be gaining weight too quickly or losing weight too slowly, increase or reduce the frequency with which you feed it broccoli accordingly. It will be less nutritious than it was raw. 2. And. Feed your pet no more than the recommended amount according to its size. Accordingly, it is better to know your pets taste by offering a small amount of this vegetable in different forms and then preparing a final treat for them. Broccoli also contains dietary fiber, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, manganese, phosphorus, choline, vitamin B1, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), potassium and copper.