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09.05.2018
A hamster's health depends on proper nutrition. The diet must be balanced and contain the vitamins the animal needs. Pampering your pets with a variety of flavors is good, but the benefits are more important. Let's talk about a frequently asked, troubling question. Can hamsters eat pomegranate?
Can hamsters eat pomegranate?
Everyone agrees that a hamster's diet should be varied. Of course, the main diet consists of solid food, since by nature he has a desire to chew. But in addition to ready-made food, you need to feed vegetables and fruits. The problem is that not all foods are suitable for these animals. Some can do a lot of harm. Therefore, you need to figure out what you can feed and what you can’t. Is it possible to give hamsters pomegranate? Unfortunately, this fruit is one of those foods that are harmful to the hamster. Pomegranate is one of the exotic fruits that are contraindicated for it. This is already a reason not to feed your pet pomegranate. The hamster's body may reject it, resulting in possible poisoning and digestive disorders. Remember that the animal is difficult to tolerate almost all diseases and even a common cold can have fatal consequences. Therefore, you need to know exactly what to feed Djungarian hamsters and others.
Remember, chemicals are contraindicated for hamsters. It may be found in supermarket products, as they are sprayed with it for long-term storage.
Why not? The answer to the question “can hamsters eat pomegranates” lies in the composition of the fruit . Of course, it contains many nutrients including vitamins B1 B2 B5 B6 B9 CE PP, as well as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, etc. It is beneficial for many diseases. For example, it is useful for anemia. In this case, pomegranate juice is diluted with boiled water and drunk 3 times a day before meals. But it is useful for humans. Our body cannot be compared with the body of a small hamster. Just compare the sizes. Do you know that pomegranate is contraindicated for people with stomach problems? In an animal it is even weaker. Children under 7 years old should not drink pomegranate juice at all. This says something. The thing is that pomegranate contains many different acids .
They are the ones that can critically affect the hamster. His digestive organs are unable to digest acids. Think for yourself, if sweet, salty and fatty foods are prohibited, then can a hamster have a pomegranate that contains not just glucose, but acid? By the way, some claim that hamsters can eat persimmon, but this is also an exotic food that is not recommended for him. It's better to offer something else, like a banana. Judging by the article “can hamsters have a banana”, it will be useful.
I hope you won’t test how your pet’s body will react to pomegranate. The health and life expectancy of your pet is in your hands. The animal will eat whatever you offer it, even if it is poison. He has no choice but to trust you completely. Appreciate it.
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Benefits of banana for rodents
We all know that this fruit is beneficial for the human body, because it contains many microelements necessary for us. But we need to find out how a hamster copes with a banana.
Despite the fact that this fruit does not contain fat, it is very high in calories, as it contains elements such as glucose and fructose in large quantities. This product is able to give the body energy. It contains vitamins C and B6, which are involved in the absorption of iron. Therefore, when a hamster eats a banana, it not only receives useful microelements, but also becomes active and energetic.
Thanks to the phosphorus contained in bananas, your rodent's teeth and bones will become stronger. And the required amount of potassium will improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and heart. These fruits also help strengthen blood vessels, regulate water-salt balance and cleanse the digestive system of accumulated harmful substances. But is it possible to feed a hamster banana? Let's find out.
Bananas at night
Hamsters can eat bananas around the clock because they love them so much. But whether hamsters can have bananas at night is up to you to decide. But still, no matter how much you would like to give him at least a small piece of the fruit, it is better not to do this. Since this fruit charges the body with energy, at night the hamster will be too active: running around the cage, making noise, preventing you from sleeping. If you really want to treat your pet, you can feed him an apple or a pear, he will eat them with pleasure. But it’s better to do this in the evening, and not before bed.
Another reason why it is better not to feed rodents bananas at night is the physiological characteristics of the body. At this time, the digestive system slows down. The animal's stomach will not be ready to eat food, and this can only harm the pet's health.
Heavy food for a hamster
Banana for Djungarian and Syrian hamsters
Djungarian hamsters enjoy eating these overseas fruits. But they are not recommended to abuse these fruits. These animals are prone to high blood sugar levels. Therefore, you should not spoil them with such goodies too often. The interval between eating bananas should be at least a week.
Syrian hamsters also love to eat tasty and sweet food. But for them, one serving of sweets per week is also recommended. The pulp of the fruit should be given in small pieces weighing approximately 5 g. The whole fruit should not be given to animals, because a small hamster and a large banana are not the best combination. The rodent simply cannot eat it at once and will hide the remaining parts of the fruit for storage. The fruit will begin to quickly deteriorate, and if the baby eats it, it can get food poisoning.
Can a hamster eat pomegranates?
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Mikhail Konovalov 05/20/2020, 21:07
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Wanting to organize the most comfortable and convenient living conditions for their pet, owners first of all think about the rodent’s diet. One of the useful products that are often found in the house is pomegranate. Let's consider whether it is possible to treat hamsters with pomegranate?
Is it possible or not?
It is necessary to understand that hamsters are quite curious animals. If a pomegranate seed gets into your pet’s cage, he will definitely taste it.
Therefore, you need to know whether this fruit is harmful or not.
Pomegranate is a prohibited food for hamsters. Why is pomegranate banned? Let's take a closer look:
- The peel of the fruit contains tannins, which have a rather strong effect on intestinal motility, which can lead to constipation. For the body of a small rodent, such a shock can be fatal.
- The peel also contains some alkaloids, which can be fatal.
- The bones contain fat, which can negatively affect the liver and cause intoxication.
- A high content of vitamins can lead to the development of hypervitaminosis.
- Increased acidity can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system.
- Essential oils can cause allergic reactions.
- The sharp edges of the bone can injure the hamster's mucous membrane.
Important. It is necessary to understand that those products that are incredibly beneficial for human health can be harmful to rodents.
All processes occurring in the body of this rodent are quite fast, including various ailments and diseases. In order for the baby to be healthy and active, he needs to create a complete diet, which should not contain pomegranate. By properly caring for your pet, you can extend its life.
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Is it possible to give persimmon seeds and skins?
Many owners share small portions of their food with their pets, thinking that this will not cause harm.
But you should know that persimmon seeds and skins should absolutely not be given to hamsters. The bone contains substances that are poisonous to rodents and can lead to poisoning and even death. In addition, the persimmon seed is quite hard. And if chewed poorly, your pet may choke on it.
Despite the love of pet hamsters for various fruits, be careful when choosing foods in your pet's diet. Do not give them products without first consulting and gathering information. It's better to be prepared than to harm your beloved animal.
But maybe it’s still possible, if you’re careful
The hamster is a very curious animal and puts almost everything into its mouth. The teeth need to be ground down with something. So, if a pomegranate seed falls into his paws, he will eat it without hesitation. But, as we have already said, not everything that is useful for people is also useful for hamsters.
But it’s delicious... is it really impossible? Even a grain?
Yes, pomegranate is the king of fruits. We will modestly keep silent about Thai durian, where can you find it here? By the way, I wonder if a hamster can have durian?
Stop. We got distracted. Let's continue. The problem with pomegranate is that it is very rich in all kinds of vitamins and microelements. It is in them that its danger for the hamster lies.
For reference: pomegranate contains about 15 amino acids, five of which are essential for the body. Also, it is rich in vitamins K, C, B9 and B6 and minerals (potassium, copper, phosphorus). With all this richness, it is a low-calorie fruit. There are only 72 kilocalories in 100 grams.
So why is it so harmful to our furry pets:
- Tannins found in the fetal crust slow down the peristalsis of the intestinal tract, which leads to constipation. Considering the size of the animal and its rapid metabolism, this constipation could cost him his life. Also, the peel of the fruit contains some alkaloids, which can simply kill the poor fellow.
- The fat contained in pomegranate seeds puts a lot of stress on the liver.
- A high content of vitamins will lead to hypervitaminosis (to put it simply - too much), which is also not good for poor Khoma.
- Too much acidity in pomegranate juice is bad for the digestive system.
- Don't forget about common allergies. In the wild, hamsters are unlikely to eat pomegranate, so there is no immunity to new substances in the animal’s body. If you see that your pet is often itching, his eyes are red and tears are flowing, then most likely the poor thing is suffering from allergies or poisoning. Urgently remember what you fed and try not to give this food again.
Yes, pomegranate is a wildly useful thing, but not for hamsters.
Once again: even one pomegranate seed can lead to serious consequences, including the death of your pet.
Interesting fact: Syrian hamsters are less susceptible to pomegranate, since they still have a chance to try it in the wild. But it’s still not worth giving a Syrian a pomegranate on purpose. It’s better not to even show it to the Djungarians at all.
Tama the Cat: Train Station Master
This happened in the early 2000s, when the unprofitable Kishi station in the Japanese city of Kinokawa was almost closed due to unprofitability. Residents, of course, protested, but it is unlikely that their efforts would ultimately be crowned with success. The situation was saved by a local cat named Tama, who loved to bask in the sun near the train station. The station manager noticed how enthusiastically passengers reacted to this couch potato and gave him the official position of caretaker. The cat was given a uniform cap, a badge and a monthly salary in the form of free food.
The duties of the newly minted minister included advertising functions. He greeted passengers, allowed himself to be petted, and was always somewhere on the platform. It must be said that this policy very quickly led to commercial success. Tourists began to come to Kishi station just to look at the railway cat and take pictures with him. From that moment on, there was no further talk about closing the station.
But the unusual cat's career did not end there. In 2008, Tama became a supervisor and was charged with monitoring the performance of professional duties by staff. That same year, the cat was knighted. Another year later, according to the project of the famous designer Eiji Mituku, the railway included in the schedule a train dedicated to the legendary animal. The carriages were painted with views of Tama, the locomotive was decorated with his muzzle, and meowing signaled the opening (closing) of the doors. But this did not become the crown of the cat’s career.
A year later, Tamu was appointed third party of the railway company, entrusted with the post of executive director. By his old age, it was already difficult for him to work every day, and the management allowed the elderly cat to come to work 3 days a week.
Tama died at the ripe old age of 14. But even after this, the career did not end. Posthumously, the cat was elevated to the rank of Eternal Station Master, thus perpetuating his memory. After all, over the years of work, this four-legged employee has brought considerable income to his company. The tourist flow through the station increased to 300 thousand people annually, and the financial indicator amounted to more than 1.1 billion Japanese yen.
The company's management did not want to accept the loss of such a profitable and already promoted advertising brand. Tama was replaced by Nitama (the second Tama). True, later with the third cat there was an overlay. He was found at Okayama Station and offered a position in Kishi. But the owner did not agree to the move. Next came Yontama (the fourth Tama), who had already had to undergo a special training course before taking her place on the platform of the railway station.
And the flow of tourists wanting to take a photo with the legendary heirs of the first Tama still does not dry out.
I like2I don't like
Well, at least a little...
You can try a drop. Moreover, 1 drop of juice is exactly one drop. Not more. In winter, the amount of vitamin C in the hamster’s body decreases. Fresh grass and vegetables are more difficult to get than in summer. But pomegranate is always full of these vitamins. Even in winter. If you have decided, at any cost, to expand your pet’s diet and provide him with vitamin supplements, here is one piece of advice:
Experts suggest diluting 2 drops of juice in half a glass of clean water. Just don’t give all this half a glass to the hamster at once. Let him drink plain water. This way you can compensate for the lack of vitamins in your hamster.
This advice should be used only in extreme cases at your own peril and risk. The best solution would be to feed your hamster regular vegetables and fruits that are not capable of harming your pet’s health.
All processes occurring in the hamster’s body occur very quickly, including diseases. In order for your pet to be healthy and cheerful, it is necessary to exclude this fruit, which is healthy for humans, from the list of food products. By taking care of your hamster and following the recommendations, you can increase its lifespan.
What kind of apples can you give?
Not every fruit is worth feeding your hamster.
In order not to harm the animal, the apple must meet the following requirements:
- Only fully ripened fruit can be given;
- You should not feed your pet fruits that have been treated to prevent wilting (coated with a waxy coating). If you still use such an apple, you should first wash it thoroughly and soak it for 8–10 hours in cold water;
- feed your domestic rodent sweet and sour varieties, since excess sugar and acid are equally harmful to the hamster;
- You should not give treats to an old animal or if its age is less than 1 month;
- The fruit should not be given to pregnant or lactating females.
Important! A very accurate indicator of the environmental friendliness of apples is the presence of worms in them. You can safely feed this fruit to your pet rodent.
Fresh
Fresh fruits are the simplest and most common way to feed a rodent. How to choose an apple and how to process it is described in more detail below. You should not cut the fruit into too small slices - your pet may hide 1-2 pieces. If he later eats spoiled fruit pulp, it may cause digestive problems.
Dried
Dried apples are an excellent complementary food for a hamster. They retain all minerals and fiber, the content of vitamins is somewhat lower, although this is not critical. Dried fruits are especially suitable for feeding in winter (with the beginning of the new year there are almost no vitamins left in fresh apples) and in spring. Before giving such a product to a rodent, it should be soaked in water until it swells.
Baked and stewed
It is better not to feed heat-treated fruits to rodents. This is not to say that they are harmful to the animal, but they are of little benefit. So it makes no sense to cook fruits over a fire if fresh they will bring more benefits to the hamster. In addition, such food may cause gastrointestinal problems for your pet.
Did you know? The Governor-General of the Dutch North American Dominions, Pieter Stuyvesant, planted an apple tree on the island of Manhattan (the territory of modern New York) in 1647. The tree bears fruit to this day.
Can hamsters eat pomegranate?
Here's what you can and can't do. Can:
1. Dry ready-made food for hamsters 2. Nuts (almonds): walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, peanuts, chickpeas, carob 3. Wheat sprouts, oats, alfalfa, bamboo 4. Seeds: sunflower, pumpkin , melon 5. Cereals: barley, wheat, oats, buckwheat, rolled oats, lentils, peas, beans, beans 6. Berries: strawberries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, cherries (pitted!) 7. Vegetables and fruits: pumpkin (raw ), apples, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, tomato (not winter), radish, radish, zucchini, zucchini, beets, pear, apricot, peach, melon, squash, turnip, eggplant (except overripe ones!), grapes and raisins, banana and banana chips, cauliflower (raw and cooked, but rarely), fresh and dried corn, green beans (can be defrosted frozen), Chinese salad (aka Chinese cabbage), broccoli, frozen mixed vegetables, plums (a little), fresh peas, chickpeas (lamb peas, soak overnight), young peas in shells, rose hips (peeled and in small quantities), celery (a little, rarely) 8. Boiled vegetables: carrots, beets, pumpkin, peas (without salt and cook briefly ) 9. Greens: parsley, dill, lettuce / and iceberg lettuce /, dandelion and plantain leaves, clover, nettle 10. Dried fruits: raisins, dried apricots, dried apples and pears, banana chips 11. All deciduous tree varieties: beech, ash, willow, maple, oak, poplar, walnut, birch, fruit trees such as cherry, pear, apple. 12. Rose petals 13. Popcorn without salt, sugar and fat (cooked at home) - as a delicacy 14. Drying "Simple drying" without sugar and additives - as a delicacy 15. Carob
As a protein component of the diet (2-3 times a week, one thing):
14. Boiled chicken without salt and seasonings 16. Yogurt without sugar and additives no more than 1% fat, bifilin 17. Cottage cheese 0-1% fat 18. Kefir 0-1% fat 19. Boiled chicken egg, boiled quail egg 20. Butterflies , mealworms, grasshoppers, earthworms (only purchased in pet stores!) 21. Low-fat boiled fish 22. Peeled shrimp (rarely) 23. Dried gammarus (only purchased in pet stores!)
For feeding young animals and sick animals:
24. Vegetable and meat baby food (without salt, sugar, soy) 25. Porridge with water, baby milk-free porridge without salt, soy and gluten, or just cereal soaked in water 26. Rice boiled until sticky (for diarrhea) 27. Vegetable oil (a little for constipation)
Not recommended, since products from this list can cause irreparable damage to the health of the animal:
1. Cheese 2. Ready-made food for budgies, birdseed, food for other rodents 3. Potatoes 4. Persimmons (only very sweet and absolutely non-astringent are allowed, rarely) 5. Acorns 6. Drops for rodents 7. White bread 8. Crispbreads (only mild ones can be given, which do not contain salt, sugar or seasonings) 9. Brazil nuts
1. Salt, sugar, spices 2. Butter 3. Citrus fruits 4. Breakfast cereals, muesli 5. Almonds 6. Garlic 7. Onions, leeks 8. Cherry, apricot pits 9. Raw potato eyes, potato skins 10. Sausage , sausages 11. Cow's, goat's milk in its pure form, as well as as a base for cereals 12. Sour cream, cream 13. Exotic fruits (and kiwi, pomegranate, avocado, pineapples too) 14. Everything fried and fatty 15. Dry pasta 16. Watermelon 17. Sorrel 18. Tulip 19. Kozinaki 20. Mushrooms 21. Honey (pure) 22. Branches of coniferous trees (pine, larch, spruce, false sugi), as they secrete resin harmful to hamsters. 23. Any herbs and plants grown in the city 24. Fruit juices 25. Black bread 26. Mint 27. Bloodworms, insects caught in nature 28. White cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts 29. Cookies, chocolate, ice cream
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Rules for feeding permitted products
The diet of Djungarian hamsters should be varied: the same foods should not be given day after day (except for dry food). It is optimal if the hamster receives dry, juicy and protein food every day. You cannot have a “vegetable” or “meat” day.
Djungarians love to stock up, so it is not recommended to give treats in large pieces: the product will deteriorate and rot if buried in the house. Inventory audits are carried out regularly. A piece of 1 cm in size will be optimal for a dwarf hamster.
How often can you feed your dwarf with additions to dry food?
- fruits and berries – once every 2 weeks;
- greens - every other day, preferably dried;
- vegetables - white or green every day (zucchini, Jerusalem artichoke, cucumber, turnip) others (pumpkin, carrots) - 2 times a week;
- nuts and seeds – rarely, as a delicacy;
- meat, eggs - once a week.
The recommendations do not take into account special needs: for example, a pregnant female can eat protein foods 2-3 times a week.
All products must be fresh and of high quality.
When feeding vegetables and fruits, preference is given to seasonal products. All succulent food is not only washed thoroughly, but they try to get rid of the “chemical” component (nitrates, pesticides). The greens are soaked, the apple is peeled.
In winter, you can’t help but think about what to feed the dzhungarik: overseas tasteless tomatoes and it’s scary to eat yourself. A good alternative to greenhouse vegetables would be oat, wheat, sunflower sprouts, and greens frozen from the summer.
How to feed a Djungarian hamster correctly - step-by-step recipe with photos
Often, hamster owners who love and care for their pets are concerned about the meager diet. Ready-made grain mixtures, regular vegetables and water are a limited choice to pamper your pet.
The variety of fruits in stores and on market shelves is amazing and the question arises: can hamsters have a bright and ripe pomegranate?
The hamster is a very curious animal, and if a pomegranate seed accidentally falls into its cage, the rodent will grab it with interest and begin to try it. To prevent possible ingress, it is necessary to carefully monitor the proximity of food for people and the cage with the animal. Why is pomegranate harmful to rodents?
Choosing a variety
Which variety to choose for dzungaria and do you need to process the fruits? There is no need to choose varieties that are too sweet; your pet will like them, but they can be harmful to health. Too sour fruits are also not suitable; ripe, moderate-tasting fruits are best. If you choose a fruit that is not ripe enough, the animal may have digestive problems.
Regarding processing, the rules are:
- Store-bought apples must be peeled; the fruits may be treated with chemicals. This condition especially applies to fruits purchased in winter. In cold weather, it is better not to buy them for your pet.
- Homemade fruits must be washed.
- Dried apples are better for winter. Soak them in water before giving them to your hamster.
- Fruits must be washed thoroughly under running water.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Fa4hkyY0ARk
Reasons for banning pomegranate
Pomegranate is on the list of prohibited fruits because of its rich taste and rich in microelements.
You don’t have to listen to the advice of experts on proper nutrition for rodents and experiment by giving your pet a piece of crust or a couple of grains, but there are good reasons for the ban on feeding your animal exotic food:
- The tannins found in the peel of the fruit have a strong effect and slow down the peristalsis of the intestinal tract, which causes constipation. For a tiny organism, such a shock can be fatal. Also, the peel of the fruit contains a small percentage of alkaloids, which can kill a pet .
- The fat contained in pomegranate seeds can negatively affect the liver and cause intoxication.
- Despite the animal’s ability to process many enzymes, a high level of vitamins can lead to an overabundance and the appearance of hypervitaminosis.
- Excessive concentration of acidity in pomegranate juice negatively affects the digestive system . Even in diluted form, the juice corrodes the walls of the stomach and can lead to discomfort.
- Essential oils in the fruit can cause an allergy attack. Discharge of tears, redness and itching of the skin are the first signs of poisoning.
- The sharp edges of the bones can injure the mucous membrane of the cheek pouches and cause an abscess.
Food that is healthy for humans can have a detrimental effect on the fragile body of a hamster.
A microscopic dose of pomegranate can lead to serious consequences, including the death of the animal.
Prohibited foods can be deadly
The list of what is prohibited is very extensive; in fact, there are much more prohibited products than can be covered in one article. But the list of what can be given to Djungarian hamsters from food is also impressive, so there is no point in experimenting with unsafe products. The ban may seem unreasonable, but there is always a reason.
Risk of poisoning
Some food that is familiar to us is real poison for the Djungarians. Almonds and apricot kernels contain hydrocyanic acid, watermelon accumulates nitrates, honeysuckle and elderberry cause suffocation and cramps. Potatoes may contain solanine. The problem is the small size of the animal and its sensitive body. Even a microscopic dose of a dangerous substance can cause intoxication.
Cause constipation
Any astringent products (persimmon) slow down intestinal motility due to the high content of tannins. Constipation is very dangerous for rodents.
Causes diarrhea
Foods that irritate the digestive tract or have a laxative effect should not be given to dwarfs. This is hot ginger and any spices that are found in human food (paprika, salt).
Cause fermentation
Intestinal bloating leads to the death of the rodent in a matter of hours. Foods that cause gas include cabbage, brown bread, and beans.
Too fat
The rodent's liver is not able to cope with foods that are too fatty. Even seeds, which are what Djungarians can eat, are given in moderation, and foods such as oil and fried foods are completely excluded. Avocado contains too much fat.
Cheek pouches hurt
Sometimes the product itself is not dangerous. But given the small size and habits of the pet, it causes problems. Dry pasta should not be given to your dwarf hamster, not because wheat is dangerous, but because it can injure its cheek pouches by stuffing spaghetti there.
Abscesses and inflammation of the sac are a serious problem that requires treatment. Owners, faced with such a nuisance, even first peel the seeds from the husks before feeding the jungarians.
Allergy risk
Essential oils, brightly colored fruits, vegetables and berries can cause allergies. If after eating strawberries your hamster’s eyes run, the skin turns red and itches, it should be excluded.
Sometimes a product is prohibited for several reasons: cheese is both salty, fatty and rich in lactose, which is very difficult to digest.
Properties
This unusual, exotic berry (from a biological point of view, it is a berry, not a fruit) has many beneficial properties. The fruits of perennial reed plants are rich in potassium and magnesium, which is good for the cardiovascular, urinary and nervous systems of the body. Iron, also included in large quantities, helps increase hemoglobin. The beneficial qualities of the product include the fact that it can quickly relieve hunger and restore strength. These fruits are hypoallergenic.
These berries have no less harmful properties for hamsters:
- high calorie content (dangerous for individuals prone to obesity);
- a large percentage of glucose content (for this reason, giving bananas to hamsters with diabetes is prohibited);
- the ability to cause fermentation in the intestines (due to flatulence the animal will experience pain and worry);
- too soft, viscous consistency (babies’ teeth must constantly grind down on hard food, otherwise they will grow excessively).
Those fruits that are sold in our stores have already lost most of their beneficial qualities due to the long transportation process, so feeding them to pets in order to saturate their body with vitamins and microelements is useless.
After consultation with a veterinarian, you can offer the sweet, aromatic pulp to exhausted animals that have recently overcome a serious illness to quickly restore body weight.
Based on the above, you can give your hamster a banana, but only occasionally, as a treat.
Banana in the diet of cubs and pregnant females
Fruit should not be given to baby hamsters. Their body is still very small; banana fruits can easily clog the airways. In this case, the rodent risks suffocation. But if you really want to pamper your pet, then there is a solution - banana chips. They are hard, so they will not be able to stick to the cavities of the body.
Banana chips are dried (baked) pieces of the fruit. The sugar concentration in this dish increases
You should also be wary of store-bought chips, as they may contain various additives that are harmful to rodents. It would be safer to cook them yourself in the oven.
Bananas are prohibited for pregnant hamsters. The fruit should not be given to females expecting offspring; it can cause bloating. If this happens, the offspring will be lost.
Effects of Pomegranate on Hamster Species
Djungarian hamsters are found in the steppes of Western Siberia and have recently quickly won love and adoration for their peaceful disposition, amusing appearance and active lifestyle. In its natural habitat, the animal feeds on seeds and green plants, and sometimes insects. It is natural to assume that the hamster is not familiar with the exotic taste of pomegranate. Therefore, an unknown and unusual fruit can cause a negative reaction of the body to the proposed delicacy , from allergies to death.
The Syrian hamster is native to the hot steppes of Syria and Turkey. The unpretentious, clean and playful animal has become extremely popular and has established itself as an ideal pet. In the wild, the animal feeds on seeds, nuts and small insects . Owners of Syrian hamsters note the amazing omnivorousness and simplicity of their pets. Taking into account the homeland of rodents, it can be assumed that the body of the Syrian hamster is more adapted to accepting pomegranate in its diet.
Do rodents eat grape seeds?
It is necessary to remove all bones from the berries, as they can easily get stuck in the respiratory tract, causing suffocation.
What is prohibited:
- You should not give unripe or overripe fermented grapes.
- There is no need to allow the animal to take the berries into its pantry, since the rotting process will begin there and this will spoil all the products.
- Do not make it a priority in your diet.
- It is forbidden to give bones for consumption; the pulp must be cleaned from them.
Djungarians need a special diet, perhaps even excluding grapes from the diet, since this breed is most susceptible to diabetes.
Beneficial properties of bananas
The fruits of this plant (biologists call them berries, and sellers call them fruits) are rich in magnesium and potassium, which is beneficial for the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous and urinary systems of any living organism. Iron, which is part of the product, increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood and helps relieve fatigue, hunger, and restores strength.
Phosphorus, which is contained in the pulp, is useful for the strength of bones and teeth. A small amount of the product promotes good digestion and makes blood vessels flexible and elastic. These tropical fruits are high in calories and promote rapid weight gain in hamsters (for individuals prone to obesity, this is dangerous!), who have overcome one or another disease.
Zoologists recommend feeding hamsters with exotic fruit in the morning. The peel of the fruit that is used for the diet of pets should not be black and rotten, and the fruit itself should be white and moderately hard
Fluffy babies can eat bananas from the second month of life, but it is important for owners to follow a few simple rules when feeding their pets with these fruits
Should you give your pet pomegranate?
In winter, the amount of vitamin C in the hamster’s body decreases. Saturated pomegranate can raise the level of vitamins to the desired height. Experts recommend squeezing a couple of drops of pomegranate juice per 100 grams of water. This advice should only be used in extreme cases. A prudent decision would be to nourish and expand the diet with familiar vegetables and fruits that are not capable of harming the pet’s health.
All processes occurring in the hamster’s body occur very quickly, including diseases. To keep your pet healthy and cheerful, you need to exclude pomegranate from the food list . By taking care of your hamster and following the recommendations, you can increase its lifespan.
Diet composition
Here's what Djungarian hamsters eat at home:
- grain mixture (dry food);
- succulent food (greens, grass, fruits, vegetables, berries);
- protein feed (dietary meat, eggs, insects);
- vitamin supplements;
- mineral stone, branches of fruit trees.
The basis of nutrition is industrial food for dwarf hamsters, a mixture of grain crops and freely available fresh drinking water. On such a diet, a hamster can live for a very long time, even without additional treats.
It is important to observe the measure: fruits should not make up more than 5% of the dzhungarik’s diet, even allowed ones are given in pieces no larger than 1 cm. Vegetables are given every other day, and berries - no more than once a week
Any new product is introduced into the diet in a tiny portion, with caution. You also need to change dry food to a mixture from another manufacturer gradually, over the course of a week, to avoid digestive upset.
Proper nutrition - what you can and cannot feed hamsters at home
The hamster's nutrition must be balanced. Pet stores offer owners of Djungarian and other types of hamsters industrially produced food that is specially adapted and safe
It is important to pay attention when choosing food packaging in a store, so that it is intended specifically for a hamster, which should be marked accordingly on the packaging. Additionally, you can consult with a sales specialist about which food is best. Ready-made mixtures contain a whole list of food products: vitamins, grains, vegetable and fruit additives, nuts, seeds
Ready-made mixtures contain a whole list of food products: vitamins, grains, vegetable and fruit additives, nuts, seeds.
In addition to ready-made dry food, once a month you can offer grain sticks at home, on which your pet will grind his teeth.
You can give bread, but not too often, better in winter. It is preferable to feed grain bread - dried, in small portions.
At the first sign of constipation, discontinue the product.
Fruits for your hamster
Hamsters can be given various fruits (with the exception of citrus and exotic ones), but in small doses. The high sugar content makes this complementary food unsafe. Domestic Djungarians are given less of it than individuals of the Syrian breed - within 5% of the main diet. Campbell's hamsters are fed even more carefully.
The main fruit products that are suitable for Syrian and Djungarian hamsters include:
- apple - choose sweet and sour varieties, introduce them from 4 months, do not give to lactating females;
- apricot – a little and not overripe, it is better to give dried apricots out of season;
- peach is better than nectarine, it has less sugar;
- pear – firm yellow or green, uncommon;
- banana – preferably a little greenish, just unripe;
- plum - a little at a time, so as not to provoke diarrhea;
- melon – due to excessive sweetness, allowed only once every 5-7 days;
- watermelon - also rare, but from your own garden (it’s hard to find a store-bought one without nitrates).
Berries will help diversify your diet. Strawberries are offered once every 7 days, a piece with a diameter of 1 cm. The rest of the berries from the list are given 1 piece per week, the portion for the Syrian hamster is doubled. Allowed:
- cherries and sweet cherries (pits removed);
- currant;
- not sour gooseberries;
- grape;
- raspberries;
- blueberry;
- blackberry;
- cowberry;
- blueberry.
Of all of the above, only dietary fruits are suitable for Campbell's hamsters. These are nectarine, blueberry, lingonberry, cherry, hawthorn. It is worth remembering that exotic fruits (mango, avocado, kiwi, pineapple and others) are prohibited from being offered to all rodents. They can cause severe allergic reactions and digestive problems.
What fruits and vegetables can a hamster eat?
The basis of a hamster's diet should be solid plant foods:
- Rice, oats, millet, wheat, barley, fresh and dried corn, as well as other cereals.
- Boiled beans, peanuts, peas and other legumes.
- Greens, excluding sorrel, lettuce, parsley and green onions.
- Pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
Most owners have a reasonable question about what berries, vegetables and fruits can be given to hamsters without harm to health.
Carrots are considered the most useful vegetable for both Syrian and Djungarian hamsters. It contains vitamins and microelements that have a positive effect on the vision, hearing, condition of the skin and fur of these rodents. You can give hamsters carrots not only raw, but also boiled. It is used to make preparations for the winter and add little by little to the main grain feed.
In addition, these rodents can be given some carrot tops from vegetables from their own garden. They can also be fed cucumbers, turnips and zucchini. A couple of times a week, small pets can be treated to red pepper, radish, tomato, beet or pumpkin.
Cabbage, which causes bloating in these rodents, and difficult-to-digest potatoes are best excluded from your pet’s diet.
Fruits and berries are beneficial for the hamster's body. The former contain a large amount of fiber, which improves digestion, and the berries contain many vitamins and minerals. However, it is better for these animals to eat fruits in small doses and not too often, since they contain a lot of sugar, which can lead to the development of diabetes. Excessive fruit consumption has a particularly detrimental effect on the health of jungarians.
Among the fruits, the most beneficial for small pets are apples with a sweet and sour taste, which have the following effect on them:
- Strengthen the immune system.
- They prevent the development of cancer thanks to the antioxidants they contain.
- Improves blood composition.
- Positively affect the functioning of the heart.
However, you can give hamsters apples only once a day, 10–15 g, since frequent eating of them can cause increased gas formation in rodents. Also, small pieces of apples can be dried for the winter and added to food.
Pear affects the body of hamsters in different ways: some do not experience any negative consequences, while others, on the contrary, experience a significant deterioration in their well-being. This fruit can cause allergies in your pet, irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa and increased gas production. That is why each owner must decide for himself whether he can introduce a pear into his hamster’s diet or not.
The positive effect on the body of rodents is as follows:
- Eliminates constipation.
- Strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
- Has a diuretic effect.
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Fresh pears can be given to hamsters 10-12 g no more than 2 times a week, and dried pears - 1-2 slices every 2 weeks.
You can treat your pet to a small piece of peach or nectarine only 2-3 times a month.
Consumption of the following seasonal seedless berries is very useful for ornamental rodents, because they strengthen the immune system and contain many vitamins and minerals:
- strawberry;
- blueberry;
- blackberry;
- cranberry;
- currant;
- wild forest rowan.
You can also give your hamster grapes of green varieties. It contains more liquid than nutrient fiber, so it is an excellent thirst quencher. Grapes can only be given to hamsters from seedless varieties. Substances that are part of grape and other seeds are very poisonous to these animals. Only sultanas can be used to treat rodents.
The maximum allowed dose is 1-2 fresh or dried berries 1-2 times a week.
It is forbidden to give your hamster pomegranate, barberry and sea buckthorn due to increased acidity, which negatively affects the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. Raspberries have a strong laxative effect on the body of rodents, so they should also be excluded from the pet’s diet.
You should also not give your pet juices, including freshly squeezed ones, even if they are made from approved fruits, vegetables and berries.
Product table: what Djungarian hamsters can and cannot eat
Important! Even permitted products must be given with special frequency; to find out more, read the article to the end.
Peeled boiled shrimp
You can give | Can't give | With caution or in small quantities |
GRAINS | ||
Oats | Pasta | Rice |
Corn | Bakery products | Buckwheat |
Wheat | Legumes: (peas, beans) | Lentils |
Barley | ||
Rye | ||
SEEDS AND NUTS | ||
Sunflower | Brazilian nut | |
Pumpkin | Almond | |
Linen | Pine nuts | |
Cashew | Cherry, apricot pits | |
Sesame | Acorns | |
Walnut | Chestnuts | |
Hazelnut | ||
Peanut | ||
VEGETABLES | ||
Eggplant | Watermelon | Cucumber |
Broccoli | Melon | Tomato |
Zucchini | Potato | Radish |
Carrot | Cabbage | Celery |
Radish | Onion | Asparagus |
Turnip | Garlic | Cauliflower |
Beetroot (not sugar) | ||
Pumpkin | ||
Jerusalem artichoke | ||
FRUITS | ||
Apple | Persimmon | Apricot, plum |
Pear | Citruses (orange, grapefruit, lemon) | Peach, nectarine |
Banana | Exotic fruits (pineapple, kiwi, mango) | |
BERRIES | ||
Barberry | Honeysuckle | Grape |
Hawthorn | Elder | |
Cowberry | ||
Pitted cherry | ||
Strawberries and wild strawberries | ||
Raspberries | ||
Sea buckthorn | ||
Rowan | ||
Currant | ||
Rose hip | ||
GREENS, HERBS | ||
Tops of carrots, beets | Sorrel | Parsley |
Any salad (iceberg, corn) | Conifer branches | Dill |
Clover | ||
Nettle | ||
Dandelions | ||
Plantain | ||
Leaves and branches of fruit trees (apricot, cherry, apple), other deciduous trees (birch, rowan, alder). | ||
PROTEIN PRODUCTS | ||
Cottage cheese 1% | Sausage | Boiled white fish |
Low-fat white yogurt | Raw meat or fish | |
Boiled egg (chicken/quail) | Milk | Gammarus, daphnia |
Boiled lean meat: beef, rabbit, turkey, chicken (breast). | Cheese | |
Mushrooms |
Common sense will tell you what to feed your dwarf hamster at home.
Food should not contain SALT, SUGAR, SPICES, be too fatty or fried.
Any food from the human table is prohibited, but especially confectionery (cookies, ice cream, chocolate, kozinaki, honey, muesli).
What is better to exclude?
When compiling a list of foods that should not be given to your hamster, you can mention:
- bakery products;
- pasta;
- peas;
- beans.
An immutable requirement is a ban on all foods that contain sugar, salt and other spices. It is unacceptable to feed jungarians with fatty or fried foods. Everything that is intended for human nutrition is prohibited. Confectionery products pose the highest risk: cookies, muesli and kozinaki are included in any list of prohibited products. Honey, ice cream, and all chocolate products are dangerous for animals.
Since hamsters can be fed quite a lot of foods, there is no need to experiment with junk foods. Even if something seems unjustified or incomprehensible, there is always a reason. Any ban is developed on the basis of many years of practice.
What is quite common to see on the table may not be tolerated by the Djungarian’s body. Almonds, as well as apricot kernels and other parts of plants containing hydrocyanic acid, are extremely dangerous for hamsters. Nitrates accumulate in watermelon pulp. Because of honeysuckle and elderberry, animals may experience convulsions and suffocate. Solanine contained in potatoes is dangerous.
It is important to consider that a hamster is much smaller than a person and even most pets. Therefore, a seemingly insignificant portion of toxins can destroy him
All astringent substances (for example, those contained in persimmons) inhibit digestion. Tanning components disrupt normal intestinal function and pose a huge risk for animals. But the opposite failure (diarrhea) is also harmful for the hamster.
Therefore, the following are prohibited:
- hot ginger;
- salt;
- paprika.
This is especially true for the saltiest varieties. But even those that are not recognizable to the taste as very salty are also unacceptable. Moreover, cheese is also an abundance of fat.
If a hamster's intestines are swollen, then even the most qualified veterinary care often does not save him. You can provoke bloating by giving the animal:
- black bread;
- cabbage;
- beans.
The liver of a herbivorous creature is evolutionarily not adapted to very fatty foods. Even the seeds of various plants, usually included in the lists of permitted foods, can be consumed only on a limited basis. And vegetable oil and butter, all types of fried foods are excluded by 100%. Among fruits, avocado has excessive fat content.
It is worth remembering that the danger can be not only due to chemical and biological reactions. Thus, the Djungarian hamster eats wheat willingly and calmly. However, if you give it spaghetti or other dry pasta, the animal can injure the bags behind its cheeks.
For the same reason, any bones (not just vegetable ones), spicy and too hard types of food are unacceptable. Inflammation, especially one that develops into an abscess, is very difficult to treat. Many hamster breeders, in order not to repeat tedious and expensive therapy, even begin to give seeds to their pets in a purified form.
Essential oils of any kind and bright, rich dyes can provoke allergic reactions. Strawberries and tangerines most often initiate them. Characteristic manifestations are constant tears, redness of the skin, and scabies. Antihistamines are not available for hamsters. Therefore, the only thing left is to exclude problematic products.
Lactose, which is rich in milk and dairy products, including cheese, is extremely difficult to digest. Drops for rodents are given a maximum of once every 30 days. Strictly prohibited:
- grain mixtures for other rodents and parrots;
- Brazil nuts;
- oak acorns;
- all citrus crops;
- pineapples;
- kiwi;
- pomegranate;
- mushrooms;
- branches and bark of coniferous trees;
- sausages;
- garlic and onion;
- green plants grown within the city or in other places with unfavorable environmental conditions.
Interesting Facts
Djungarian hamsters were domesticated only in the middle of the twentieth century. Rodents of this breed feel comfortable in an apartment and get along well with people.
A few facts will help you better understand these animals:
- Rodents' teeth grow throughout their lives, so they need mineral stones to grind them down. Too large incisors can damage the animal's delicate cheeks.
- Rodents of this breed do not hibernate in winter, but in severe frosts they become numb for several hours. This condition may mean that the animal is stressed or lacking oxygen.
- At temperatures below +16°C, hamsters shed. In winter, their gray color becomes lighter.
- They are capable of traveling several tens of kilometers during the night. In the wild, hamsters divide territory and, if invaded, fiercely defend their home, so it is not worth putting 2 animals in a cage. They do well alone.
- Pregnancy in these rodents lasts for 25 days. From 1 to 11 cubs are born.
- The Djungarian hamster is a dwarf breed, individuals reach 10 cm in length and weigh from 30 to 65 g. The animals are distinguished by smooth fur and a dark stripe along the body, which most individuals have.
- Rodents of this breed quickly get used to humans, but taming should be gradual.
Differences in care and maintenance
Djungarian and Syrian hamsters differ in the nuances of care and maintenance.
Representatives of both breeds need their own territory in the form of a spacious cage. It is worth choosing a home with the minimum bottom parameters – 15*30 cm.
Active and mobile dwarfs need space and exercise. The cage needs to be equipped with tunnels, passages, and a running wheel should be placed near the house. If the grate is shallow, then the nimble miniature rodent will not escape from there.
Syrian hamsters, unlike Djungarian hamsters, benefit from a spacious multi-story cage with tunnels and labyrinths. They need a lot of space due to their large body size. Representatives of this breed are smart, so they will leave their home without any problems if the door has a simple latch and the space between the bars is too wide. Therefore, golden hamsters need to buy a metal cage with a plastic tray and a secure lock on the door.
In the wild, the animal is capable of running several kilometers per night when fleeing from predators or in search of food. In captivity, special accessories will help you throw out excess energy: a running wheel, slides, labyrinths, tunnels, passages.
With a lack or absence of physical activity, animals begin to develop health problems:
- obesity;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- weakening of the immune system.
In addition to accessories for entertainment, the cage should be equipped with a small house for the hamster, a drinking bowl with a retractable limiter and a feeder. The owner must make sure the pet understands how it works. The water should be changed 2 times a day to keep it fresh, and the drinking bowl should be washed regularly.
Cage bedding and a sand or ash bath will help get rid of unpleasant odors and parasites. Representatives of both types of hamsters like to bury themselves in sawdust to sleep. You should not bathe your pets in water, it causes them stress.
In general terms, the diet for Djungarian hamsters does not differ from the menu for Syrian hamsters. High-quality store-bought food contains almost all the beneficial substances that a rodent needs. The diet is supplemented with vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries, and protein foods. But for Djungarian rodents, you need to select foods that contain less sugar, as they are prone to diabetes.
The feeding regimen of dwarf hamsters does not differ from the routine of Syrians - 1 or 2 times a day. They eat in the evening or evening and early morning
It is important to ensure they have access to food so they can snack when needed. The daily portion of food for Syrian hamsters is about 100 g, and for Djungarian hamsters - no more than 30 g
Pets periodically need to be given rough food to wear down their incisors. These can be walnuts with shells, tree branches.
Djungarian hamsters are no different from Syrian ones in the need to create a supply of food
It is important to regularly check the cage for the presence of such “pantries” to remove spoiled food. If a hamster eats it, it will get poisoned
For the same reason, you should regularly remove leftover food from the feeder after a meal.
It is better to keep Djungarian and Syrian hamsters in a separate cage. However, the former are more loyal to their brothers, so they can exist in a team. To reduce the likelihood of conflicts, you need to provide your pets with a spacious cage with separate houses, running wheels and feeding accessories. Then they will intersect less often and will be able to live peacefully. Golden hamsters live separately from other pets.
Rodents of different sexes are housed together during female estrus for mating. This process takes no more than 24 hours, then it is advisable to place them in separate cells. Otherwise, the female attacks the male.
The gestation period for Djungarian hamsters is 20–26 days, and for Syrian ones – 16. The former give birth to 1 to 11 babies, and the latter – from 8 to 10.
After 3–5 weeks, it is better to resettle the female and her cubs, otherwise she may kill or eat them. After this time, the hamsters switch to adult food.
If representatives of both breeds hibernate, this may be due to a decrease in temperature, lack of light, poor nutrition, and stress. In most cases, the pet needs to be woken up, and errors in care and maintenance must be corrected.
Food requirements
Preparing a diet for a hamster is not necessary if you use special food.
Standard kits contain a complete set:
The use of such compositions allows you to improve the animal’s diet and balance it. In addition to food, water must also be provided. It cannot be replaced even by the most succulent plant foods. If a hamster receives too little water during the day, it may even die or become disabled. For food, in addition to specialized food, the Djungarian species will eat:
- fruits;
- various vegetables;
- shoots of green plants;
- animal protein.
Features of feeding
You can purchase ready-made mixtures for hamsters at pet stores. They include cereals, legumes and nuts. At home, animals should be given a variety of vegetables:
- cucumbers;
- tomatoes;
- zucchini;
- corn;
- leafy greens.
It is forbidden to feed the rodent garlic, cabbage or onions. Apples, bananas or apricots are the most suitable fruits for pets. You should not give them fruits with high acidity: berries or citrus fruits.
In addition to plant food, dzhungarikas need animal proteins. To do this, you can give them boiled meat once a week, eggs or low-fat cottage cheese.
The cage must be washed weekly
Well, at least a little...
You can try a drop. Moreover, 1 drop of juice is exactly one drop. Not more. In winter, the amount of vitamin C in the hamster’s body decreases. Fresh grass and vegetables are more difficult to get than in summer. But pomegranate is always full of these vitamins. Even in winter. If you have decided, at any cost, to expand your pet’s diet and provide him with vitamin supplements, here is one piece of advice:
Experts suggest diluting 2 drops of juice in half a glass of clean water. Just don’t give all this half a glass to the hamster at once. Let him drink plain water. This way you can compensate for the lack of vitamins in your hamster.
This advice should be used only in extreme cases at your own peril and risk. The best solution would be to feed your hamster regular vegetables and fruits that are not capable of harming your pet’s health.
All processes occurring in the hamster’s body occur very quickly, including diseases. In order for your pet to be healthy and cheerful, it is necessary to exclude this fruit, which is healthy for humans, from the list of food products. By taking care of your hamster and following the recommendations, you can increase its lifespan.
Here's what you can and can't do. Can:
1. Dry ready-made food for hamsters 2. Nuts (almonds): walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, peanuts, chickpeas, carob 3. Wheat sprouts, oats, alfalfa, bamboo 4. Seeds: sunflower, pumpkin , melon 5. Cereals: barley, wheat, oats, buckwheat, rolled oats, lentils, peas, beans, beans 6. Berries: strawberries, currants, gooseberries, blueberries, cherries (pitted!) 7. Vegetables and fruits: pumpkin (raw ), apples, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, tomato (not winter), radish, radish, zucchini, zucchini, beets, pear, apricot, peach, melon, squash, turnip, eggplant (except overripe ones!), grapes and raisins, banana and banana chips, cauliflower (raw and cooked, but rarely), fresh and dried corn, green beans (can be defrosted frozen), Chinese salad (aka Chinese cabbage), broccoli, frozen mixed vegetables, plums (a little), fresh peas, chickpeas (lamb peas, soak overnight), young peas in shells, rose hips (peeled and in small quantities), celery (a little, rarely) 8. Boiled vegetables: carrots, beets, pumpkin, peas (without salt and cook briefly ) 9. Greens: parsley, dill, lettuce / and iceberg lettuce /, dandelion and plantain leaves, clover, nettle 10. Dried fruits: raisins, dried apricots, dried apples and pears, banana chips 11. All deciduous tree varieties: beech, ash, willow, maple, oak, poplar, walnut, birch, fruit trees such as cherry, pear, apple. 12. Rose petals 13. Popcorn without salt, sugar and fat (cooked at home) - as a delicacy 14. Drying "Simple drying" without sugar and additives - as a delicacy 15. Carob
As a protein component of the diet (2-3 times a week, one thing):
14. Boiled chicken without salt and seasonings 16. Yogurt without sugar and additives no more than 1% fat, bifilin 17. Cottage cheese 0-1% fat 18. Kefir 0-1% fat 19. Boiled chicken egg, boiled quail egg 20. Butterflies , mealworms, grasshoppers, earthworms (only purchased in pet stores!) 21. Low-fat boiled fish 22. Peeled shrimp (rarely) 23. Dried gammarus (only purchased in pet stores!)
For feeding young animals and sick animals:
24. Vegetable and meat baby food (without salt, sugar, soy) 25. Porridge with water, baby milk-free porridge without salt, soy and gluten, or just cereal soaked in water 26. Rice boiled until sticky (for diarrhea) 27. Vegetable oil (a little for constipation)
Not recommended, since products from this list can cause irreparable damage to the health of the animal:
1. Cheese 2. Ready-made food for budgies, birdseed, food for other rodents 3. Potatoes 4. Persimmons (only very sweet and absolutely non-astringent are allowed, rarely) 5. Acorns 6. Drops for rodents 7. White bread 8. Crispbreads (only mild ones can be given, which do not contain salt, sugar or seasonings) 9. Brazil nuts
1. Salt, sugar, spices 2. Butter 3. Citrus fruits 4. Breakfast cereals, muesli 5. Almonds 6. Garlic 7. Onions, leeks 8. Cherry, apricot pits 9. Raw potato eyes, potato skins 10. Sausage , sausages 11. Cow's, goat's milk in its pure form, as well as as a base for cereals 12. Sour cream, cream 13. Exotic fruits (and kiwi, pomegranate, avocado, pineapples too) 14. Everything fried and fatty 15. Dry pasta 16. Watermelon 17. Sorrel 18. Tulip 19. Kozinaki 20. Mushrooms 21. Honey (pure) 22. Branches of coniferous trees (pine, larch, spruce, false sugi), as they secrete resin harmful to hamsters. 23. Any herbs and plants grown in the city 24. Fruit juices 25. Black bread 26. Mint 27. Bloodworms, insects caught in nature 28. White cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts 29. Cookies, chocolate, ice cream
Often, hamster owners who love and care for their pets are concerned about the meager diet. Ready-made grain mixtures, regular vegetables and water are a limited choice to pamper your pet.
The variety of fruits in stores and on market shelves is amazing and the question arises: can hamsters have a bright and ripe pomegranate?
The hamster is a very curious animal, and if a pomegranate seed accidentally falls into its cage, the rodent will grab it with interest and begin to try it. To prevent possible ingress, it is necessary to carefully monitor the proximity of food for people and the cage with the animal. Why is pomegranate harmful to rodents?
Choosing dry food
The diet of jungarians consists of 80-90% dry food. The hamster should receive it every day, this is the basis of the diet. Djungarian hamsters eat little (about a tablespoon of food per day), which means you shouldn’t skimp on store-bought formulas. Let's consider several brands of proven products:
Food for dwarfs
Versele-Laga "Prestige Mini Hamster Nature"
The completely balanced composition, in addition to grains and seeds, contains dried vegetables, fruits and nuts, a protein component and yeast as a source of vitamins. If your pet is prone to obesity, you need to manually select pineapple and raisins.
Chika-Bio "Food for Djungarian hamsters"
Domestic food, not inferior in quality to imported analogues, but more affordable. The size of the food particles and the ratio of ingredients are selected specifically for feeding jungarians.
Food for hamsters of any type of excellent quality
JR Farm Hamster
It has high palatability: dungarians feed by eating the entire food, rather than choosing individual tasty components. The “chips” of the food are a variety of protein sources (mealworms, chicken, tiny fish), the prebiotic inulin, which improves digestion, and yucca extract, which reduces rodent odor.
Vitakraft Menu Vital
Usually used for Syrians. The downside is that honey is added to the mixture to improve the taste. The diet of Djungarian hamsters involves limiting sugars.
Fiory Criceti
For dzhungariks, this food does not contain enough protein, and you will have to manually select appetizing, but harmful honey granules.
Cunipic
This food is characterized by a relatively poor composition.
Vitapol and Lolo pets
It is better to store hamster food not in a bag, but pour it into a glass jar with a tight lid. The mixtures are complete: you can give your Djungarian hamster only dry food for a long time. The reason to diversify the diet is the special physiological status of the animal: growth period, pregnancy and lactation, mating time for the male.
On our website you can learn about the correct feeding regime for a hamster. These are important rules that can protect your pet from obesity and poisoning.
Source
What foods make up the natural diet
The hamster is not picky. In nature, he loves to eat grain crops: buckwheat, wheat, rye, corn, as well as legumes: peas and beans. Even tree roots, green juicy grass, fruits, and berry branches are used as food for rodents. Animals store a lot of things in their burrows: seeds and nuts. In gardens, animals can damage potatoes and other vegetables. A small pet needs protein, so it can eat small crustaceans, mollusks or insects. Carrion also occasionally serves as food for the rodent.