Like all animals, hamsters definitely need protein supplements, which are found in food purchased at pet stores. But we must not forget that an ordinary egg is very healthy. This is a well-known and accessible source of protein. The rodent body accepts it well. Is it possible to give hamsters eggs and which ones, boiled or raw, whole or separately the white and yolk, chicken or quail? Let's consider all the options.
Can a hamster eat meat?
For normal development of hamsters, their diet must include protein. Its origin can be either plant, for example from legumes, or animal, from meat or eggs.
Hamsters can be given 1-2 times a week, but not more often:
- chicken – lean breast does not contain much cholesterol and is easier to digest;
- beef – helps strengthen the immune system and is an excellent prevention of vitamin deficiency;
- Beef liver is a dietary product with a high content of beneficial microelements and vitamins;
- beef heart - recommended for rehabilitation after illness, as it helps improve blood composition.
Meat should not be given without preliminary heat treatment, that is, raw, since it may contain various pathogenic bacteria and parasites. The product should be low-fat, well boiled without any spices or salt.
Fatty meats such as pork, lamb or lard are best avoided as their consumption will fatten the hamster's liver and heart. Also, it is strictly forbidden to give fried, smoked or dry-cured foods.
Product Features
Eggs contain elements that have a beneficial effect on the health and condition of the body. They contain the following components:
- Proteins.
- Squirrels.
- Vitamins of groups A, E, D, K.
- Carbohydrates.
- Minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.).
All these components are easily absorbed in the human and animal body. They have beneficial properties and charge you with the necessary energy. Hamsters can be given eggs in moderation.
The egg consists of white and yolk. The first element contains 90% water. The remaining 10% consists of proteins, glucose, vitamins, and enzymes. The yolk consists of organic substances - fats, minerals, vitamins. The yolk is the most useful element. It has a beneficial effect on the growth, health, and development of the hamster. It is recommended to feed the animal with both components.
Do not doubt whether hamsters can have a boiled egg. As a supplement to food, it is necessary.
The product helps strengthen bones, normalize the functioning of the liver and digestive organs. Has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and the course of pregnancy. Helps prevent the development of tumors.
Article on the topic: Can a hamster eat fried seeds?
Fish and shrimp
Fish, shrimp, cod liver are dietary products with a high content of non-fatty acids, vitamins and microelements. Such food will also be useful for the small body of a hamster, as it will provide the pet with everything necessary for the normal functioning of all vital systems and strengthen the immune system. These products also cannot be consumed raw; they must be pre-boiled. You should not give crab sticks, as they contain many harmful additives.
Shrimp and fish are very allergenic products; introduce them into your diet with caution!
It is recommended to add fish oil to the diet no more than one drop per week, since exceeding the norm leads to stool upset. This product will make the fur softer, silkier and shiny.
Should I add Djungarian and Syrian hamsters to my diet?
Both Djungarian and Syrian hamsters can be given eggs in the same quantities as other rodents. It is also useful for them. They just wish they could eat it.
We remind you that buy this product in stores with a proven reputation to avoid feeding with low-quality, contaminated or expired products.
R.S. If your pet refuses to eat eggs, then to replenish the body with the necessary vitamins, you must give boiled chicken and low-fat cottage cheese.
How to give eggs to hamsters
Eggs are a perfectly balanced product containing many vitamins, proteins, minerals and easily digestible proteins. They are excellent for the diet of hamsters and serve as good material for the normal development of their body. You can give both the white and the yolk; the white contains carbohydrates, glucose, vitamins, and all kinds of enzymes. The yolk is rich in fats, iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium and other microminerals.
Eggs often contain salmonella; infection can be prevented by boiling them well, although hamsters will happily eat untreated eggs. The raw product should not be given to sick animals with weakened immune systems or a compromised digestive system. Therefore, heat treatment can be neglected only in cases where the owner is one hundred percent sure that there is no salmonella, pathogenic bacteria or viruses, but it is better not to risk it.
Hamsters (regardless of breed) can be given food other than chicken eggs. It is recommended to give preference to quail eggs, since they contain many times more vitamins, potassium, iron, copper, cobalt, nicotinic acid and other nutrients. In addition, they contain approximately the same amount of vitamin D and polyunsaturated acids as in fish oil and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Eggs can be added to a rodent’s diet in pure form in pieces or by making a special egg mixture. It is prepared from finely grated eggs, carrots, apples, cereals or dry food.
In terms of their nutritional value, eggs are as useful as meat, fish, and dairy products, but you must adhere to a special feeding regimen - no more than 2 times a week. Must be included in the diet of pregnant or lactating females. A chicken egg is given half or 2/3 white and 1/3 yolk, a quail egg - half. If the hamster doesn’t like the treat, don’t insist and force-feed it, but try replacing the eggs with low-fat cottage cheese or low-fat boiled chicken.
Is heat treatment necessary?
Is it possible to give a hamster a boiled egg or is it better to eat a raw egg? You can feed your pet both raw and boiled. But it is worth remembering that it is better to consume it after heat treatment to avoid salmonella infection. Salmonellosis is a serious disease not only for humans, but also for hamsters.
It is contraindicated to give raw eggs to animals weakened by disease and rodents with digestive problems. Therefore, without heat treatment, you can give them only if you are 100% sure that the bird that carries them is healthy.
And if you don’t want to risk the life and health of your pet, then you need to cook them. After all, the bacterium dies at a temperature of 55–75 °C.
The need for heat treatment
Before feeding hamsters with proteins and yolks, it is recommended to carry out heat treatment. Raw eggs may contain substances, bacteria, and viruses that are dangerous to the animal. For example, salmonella is the causative agent of a serious disease. Heat treatment can be neglected only if you are completely sure that there are no diseases in the bird. Eggs purchased in stores must be processed.
Controversial issues or what not to feed a hamster
There are products that cause controversy among animal owners. Is it possible to give milk to animals, how much cheese can you give, and what harm can crackers and bread do?
To answer these questions, we will have to return to the diet of animals in the wild:
- Adult animals do not feed on milk, and the composition of cow's milk is not suitable for young animals. Babies fed bread soaked in milk survive only due to their potential health, and not due to proper feeding.
- You should not feed your pet hamster cheese. It is quite fatty and contains a lot of salt: this will harm the rodent.
- Bread and baked goods are completely inedible for rodents, although they will chew them. There are too many harmful components in the form of fat and sugar in crackers and cookies. If you decide to feed something similar, choose unsweetened dryers. It won't be too useful, but in minimal quantities it won't cause any harm.
Possible causes of enlarged testicles
Hamsters' testicles can increase in size for various reasons. And we need to study them thoroughly in order to know when to start sounding the alarm.
Here are the most common reasons:
- large testicles indicate that the animal is completely ready for reproduction. The reproductive system has formed, seminal fluid accumulates in the eggs;
- if the hamster's testicles are swollen, the skin on them turns red and becomes hot, this indicates that an inflammatory process has begun in the gonads. In this case, the animal needs to be examined by a doctor and treated;
- Occasionally, Syrian hamster and Djungarian hamster eggs become swollen due to hormonal imbalance. This phenomenon may be caused by poor diet. Another reason is sometimes keeping hamsters of different sexes in separate cages, but in the same room.
- The saddest reason for enlarged sex glands is the occurrence of tumors. If your hamster's testicles are swollen, you should always consult a veterinarian.
If your pet’s testicles are large, but do not interfere with him in any way, then this is his physiological feature. But when you notice that the furry miracle begins to experience discomfort from its “treasure,” show the animal to the doctor.
This is what large eggs without pathologies look like in jungarians:
Chicken or quail
Quail eggs contain even more nutrients than chicken eggs. They have greater nutritional value, restore the immunity of an organism weakened by disease, help strengthen blood vessels, and are hypoallergenic.
Their only drawback is the price, which is higher than that of chicken ones. However, if you are ready to give your pet the best, rest assured that this food will suit him.
Basic rules for keeping Djungarian hamsters
When composing a diet for animals, you should focus on their natural nutritional needs. Life in steppe conditions adapted them to low-calorie food. Nutritious, fatty, it will cause damage to the digestive system: the Djungarian hamster is prone to obesity, and sweets are the cause of the development of diabetes. In a confined space, when the animal does not have the opportunity to move a lot, the diet of the Djungarian hamster should be prepared correctly, preventing the appearance of excess weight. A dzhungarik needs only a tablespoon of food per day. The activity of the rodent is increased by frequent walks, outdoor games, and, of course, the wheel on which the animals love to run.
Wild individuals feed on seeds and grain. Collecting supplies in a hole, they seal themselves in it, feeding on dry foods during the cold period. In spring and summer, the diet is more varied: berries, fruits, vegetables, herbs, insects, and smaller animals are used. The Djungarian hamster's teeth grow throughout its life, so it is necessary to give them the opportunity to grind them down.
The Djungarian hamster's teeth grow throughout its life, so it is necessary to give them the opportunity to grind them down.
The metabolism of the little glutton is fast, hamsters eat constantly. The Djungarian hamster should not be allowed to starve, as this will cause its health to deteriorate. But obesity will not bring anything good to the hamster.
Useful properties and composition
Bird eggs are one of the most easily digestible and nutritious foods, the benefits of which for the body of small rodents are undoubted. A product that contains various protein compounds, protein, vitamins of several groups, enzymes and carbohydrates, when consumed in moderation, allows you to:
- strengthen bones;
- normalize liver function;
- help the nervous system function well;
- promote proper fetal development in pregnant women;
- avoid the appearance of tumors.
Such a wonderful product will only help your pet feel cheerful and healthy, so giving your hamster a boiled egg is necessary. The yolk is the most useful part for the baby, but you shouldn’t give up the white either.
The product should only be purchased from reliable places. You also need to carefully monitor the expiration date so as not to poison the baby.
How to give water to a dzhungarik
Water is necessary for the full life of any organism, and the Djungarians are no exception (even though they originally lived in dry steppes and deserts). The fluid that your hamster gets from vegetables and fruits is sometimes not enough.
Especially in hot weather, he may experience extreme thirst. For drinking, it is better to purchase a drip drinker, so your pet will have round-the-clock access to liquid. It is better to take purified water, as boiled water or just from a tap can be too hard.
How many times a day to feed
Khomkis love to eat and almost never refuse a treat. But don't get carried away with excessive feeding. This is fraught with obesity and other problems associated with excess weight.
Video: feeding the Djungarian hamster It is recommended to feed the animals no more than twice a day. Since hamsters are nocturnal, their main meal should be in the evening.
The baby will spend all the energy received from food during wakefulness. In the morning you can give lighter food and in small quantities. It will be ideal if you can feed your pet at the same time. This is very useful for the full functioning of his gastrointestinal tract.
Find out more about breeding and reproducing Djungarian hamsters at home.
