Yes, hamsters can eat some types of fruits. However, hamsters should eat fruits in very small amounts, and not often.
The majority of fruits are okay for hamsters to eat; however, citrus-type fruits are not. They’re too acidic for the hamster’s gut.
We’ll cover in the rest of the article which fruits are safe for your hamster, and which should definitely be avoided. And also, how much fruit you should give your hamster, and how often.
Are oranges good for hamsters?
While oranges are certainly good for humans because they’re packed with vitamin C, they are also highly acidic, so they are not good for your hamster’s sensitive digestive system.
Oranges and all other citrus fruits have high acidity levels that can cause serious stomach issues, digestive issues, and even diarrhea.
This acidity can also cause serious dental issues and may rapidly degrade your hamster’s teeth. Oranges also have high sugar content, and too much sugar can cause dental issues and even lead to diabetes in hamsters.
The same goes for other fruits in the citrus family, including lemons, limes, tangerines, and grapefruit. All these fruits are highly acidic and should be left out of your hamster’s diet entirely.
What To Do If Hamsters Eat Oranges?
If consumed in a small amount, it is not worrisome. They might only have some minor side effects. You can also serve their staple food after consuming oranges to reduce the acidic reaction.
But if your hamster has consumed a relatively large amount of oranges, it can cause significant problems for them.
If your Hamster shows diarrhea, distress, lethargy, discolored urine, or poop after consuming an orange, rush them immediately to your nearest Vet.
Why Are Oranges Bad for Hamsters?
Oranges are an excellent addition to the human diet. It is natural to want to include various fruits and vegetables in your household in your hamster’s diet. Unfortunately, oranges are not the greatest option for this. Oranges, tangerines, limes, lemons, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits are highly acidic due to the presence of citric acid.
While feeding small amounts of oranges may not have severe consequences on your hamster’s health, it is wise to simply keep all kinds of citrus away from them.
Hamsters have a sensitive digestive system that will most likely act up on eating citrus fruits. The acidity from oranges may also lead to dental problems in your hammy, resulting in the degradation of their teeth.
Additionally, the sugar content from oranges can put your little hamster at high risk of diabetes too. Sugar also makes them more likely to develop obesity when there is repeated consumption.
The daily water intake for hamsters is about 10ml/day. Oranges, moreover, have high water content as well which might be excessive for your little hamster’s body to handle.
All the nutritional benefits that you may think your hamster is missing out on is nothing you need to stress about! You can find several alternatives that can satisfy your hamster’s nutritional needs as well.
Can Hamsters Eat Mandarin Oranges?
Mandarin oranges are grown from a small citrus tree called mandarin. It looks like other types of orange but is eaten plain or in fruit salads.
As you will see in the nutritional table below about mandarin oranges, they contain a little phosphorus, calcium, and quite a lot of acid, and sugar.
The bad news is that hamsters cannot eat mandarin oranges. This goes for all species of hamsters, even Syrians and Robo’s, but if you must serve your hamsters orange, do so in a little portion.
This is because they are just too acidic and high in sugar for them to eat. Orange can make hamsters sick if eaten because they are so acidic. As a result, we suggest you avoid feeding your hamsters orange.
What happens if your hamster eats a little bit of orange?
In case you accidentally feed a small piece of orange to your hamsters, you don’t need to panic! While oranges are generally not suitable for your hamsters, they should not cause any significant harm to them if they eat them just once.
However, if you notice any health changes in your hamster, such as vomiting or diarrhea, you should take your hamster to the vet immediately.
If you really want to feed orange to your hamster, then you should start off with a really tiny piece of it. Remember to remove the peel as well as the seeds, as these are toxic for your little hamster.
Give your hamster a tiny (paw sized amount) of orange, just to see how it reacts to it. Most probably, your hamster will find it way too acidic and reject it! At this point, you should remove the uneaten piece of orange from its cage safely so that the orange does not rot inside.
As a rule, do not feed orange to your hamster, as the acid content is too high and will simply cause distress for your little pets.
Can Baby Hamsters Eat Oranges?
Baby hamsters are generally dependent on their mothers for the first few months of their birth. They usually are given a variety of fruits and vegetables for their growth and development. They require a high amount of nutritious food in their diet.
Oranges do not meet the requirements of the baby hamsters’ diet. Thus, they cannot eat oranges.
How Often Can a Hamster Eat Oranges?
Never. Your hamster should not eat oranges, period. End of story. Don’t even try it once! Giving oranges to a hamster could lead to a bad case of diarrhea, dehydration, and one very sick little hammy with a very sore tummy.
The good news is that hamsters can eat quite a few other fruits. You might want to consider:
- grapes
- pineapple
- apple
- blueberry
- strawberry
- watermelon
These are some fruits that hamsters really like and that can be pretty good for them, too! Be sure to read up on each fruit since your hamster can have different amounts at varying intervals.
Can Syrian Hamsters Eat Oranges?
Yes, they can. Due to their larger size compared to dwarf and Roborovski hamsters, Syrians have a more robust digestive system. However, this does not mean a free pass to indulge in oranges without caution.
Hamsters, in general, have a delicate digestive system, and Syrians are no exception. The high acidity and natural sugars in oranges can lead to digestive upset, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort if consumed excessively.
For Syrian hamsters, it’s advisable to provide only a small portion of orange on occasion, making sure to observe their reaction to this new treat. While they may nibble on a piece with curiosity, it’s essential to remember that treats should remain supplementary and not a significant part of their diet.
Can Roborovski Hamsters Eat Oranges?
When it comes to offering treats like oranges to Roborovski hamsters, it’s best to exercise caution. Due to their small stature and fragile constitution, Robots are more susceptible to digestive issues and discomfort caused by foods that may seem harmless to larger hamsters.
In the case of oranges, the high acidity and natural sugars can lead to stomach upset and digestive distress in Roborovskis.
It’s recommended to err on the side of caution and avoid offering oranges to Roborovski hamsters altogether. Instead, focus on treats that are specifically formulated for hamsters or those that mimic their natural diet more closely.
