In general, hamsters cannot digest foods that are very sugary, watery, or acidic. If you are considering feeding your little hamster arugula and are wondering, “Can hamsters eat arugula”? Then this article is for you and your hamster.
Arugula is a fragrant leafy vegetable that can add a lot of excitement to an otherwise bland salad. Nutritious and delicious, arugula is a treat you might consider sharing with your pet.
Can hamsters eat arugula? how much and how often?
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick answer. Yes, hamsters can eat arugula, but they should be cautious not to overeat arugula or any other leafy vegetable, as it can be harmful to pets.
What are the health benefits of feeding arugula to hamsters?
Arugula is a leafy green vegetable similar to spinach and kale. However, this leafy vegetable has a strong peppery mustard flavor, so it’s best to feed it to hamsters in moderation only.
Arugula is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, calcium, and magnesium.
The vitamin A in arugula is excellent for the eyes, lungs, skin, heart, kidneys, vision and is an excellent antioxidant. The antioxidant properties in arugula help to scavenge free radicals in hamsters, thus boosting their immunity and making them stronger.
The vitamin C in arugula promotes healthy eyes as well as the skin and coat of hamsters.
The presence of vitamin K is also very beneficial to hamsters because it helps with bone metabolism and has blood-clotting properties.
The folic acid in arugula promotes the production of red and white blood cells in the bone marrow of hamsters. It also helps the hamster’s body to produce DNA and RNA.
The calcium in arugula contributes to strong and healthy bones while also helping hamsters’ muscles, nerves and hearts function properly.
Finally, the magnesium in the arugula promotes healthy bones in hamsters.
Can hamsters eat arugula?
Yes, but only a handful at a time. Arugula has a high-water content, and too much consumption can cause digestive problems. Fortunately, measuring this green is very easy. It looks a lot like a dandelion leaf with some parts you can peel off. Be sure to wash and air dry it before giving it to your hamster.
Is arugula suitable for hamsters?
Arugula is an excellent source of many nutrients that are needed and are beneficial to hamsters. It also has very low-sugar content, making it a safe and healthy food when consumed in moderation.
Do hamsters like arugula?
The saying, one man’s food, another man’s poison is the same for hamsters and arugula. Arugula leaves have a peppery flavor that hamsters may or may not like. The best way to know if your hamster likes arugula is to give them a little to try and see how they react to it.
Ultimately, your hamster will have to experience the taste for himself to see if they like it or not. Some hamsters may not fancy the taste of arugula or other leafy greens. Fortunately, there are many other safe and natural foods that they can try.
Can a hamsters eat arugula? How much?
Humans can enjoy as much arugula as they like, but there is a limit to how much arugula your hamster can eat!
Syrian hamsters are one of the most or possibly the most popular hamster breeds to keep as pets in your home. These hamsters are relatively more giant and have a much stronger digestive system than their smaller domesticated hamster breeds. You can feed your Syrian hamster a half teaspoon of arugula once or twice a week. Only give them about a third of a small arugula leaf pet sit.
Campbell’s dwarf hamster and winter white dwarf hamster are much smaller than the Syrian hamster; in addition, they have a weaker digestive system giving them 1/3 of a serving of arugula leaves once a week.
Chinese hamsters are tiny, furry, mischievous little hamsters that make great pets. However, caution should be observed when feeding your Chinese hamster arugula, as this leafy green vegetable contains quite a bit of spice. Give your Chinese hamster only 1/3 of a serving of arugula leaves each week.
How much arugula can a hamster eat? – Continued
Roborovski hamsters are another type of hamster that people like keeping as pets. These hamsters are bigger, just like the Syrian hamster. You can give your Roborovski hamster a half teaspoon of arugula once or twice a week.
If it is your hamster’s first time trying it, you will want to give them much less.
Since most pet owners know that all new foods need to be introduced gradually, in small amounts, the same is true even for healthy choices like leafy greens. Watch for signs of indigestion, such as diarrhea.
Keep a close eye on your pet hamster for the next 24 hours once it finishes the first arugula meal. If there are no visible signs of digestive problems, you can gradually increase the amount of arugula portion for its next meal, making sure not to overfeed it.
Also, do not offer arugula on the same day as other leafy greens such as spinach or dandelion. If you notice that your hamster has digestive problems such as diarrhea, stop feeding fresh foods and continue the strict hamster diet for about two weeks. Once this reset is complete, you can offer a tiny amount of new food again and see how they react.
Remember, even if your hamster seems to like arugula, you should not give it to them too often. Twice a week is enough.
Can hamsters eat arugula? Is it safe?
Yes, if you, as a pet owner does not overfeed it. Arugula is good for you and your pet, but moderation is required.
Will arugula make my hamster sick?
Just like pomegranates, Arugula can cause diarrhea, bloating, and upset tummy in hamsters, especially if your pet is not used to fresh foods. When you offer a little arugula, keep an eye out for anything unusual, and if there is a problem, don’t give it to them again to risk your health. Many hamsters enjoy arugula, but there is a possibility of unpleasant side effects.
Can you feed dried arugula to hamsters?
There is no such risk if you want to feed your hamster with dried arugula. However, it is best to start with a small amount when you provide your dried arugula to your hamster. Start by giving half a dried arugula leaf to your hamster and see how they react to it; if they reject it, remove it from the hamster’s cage to avoid spoilage.
Can hamsters eat arugula seeds and stems?
Yes, you can give hamsters a small number of arugula stems. However, you cannot feed your hamster arugula seeds because they are very acidic, and hamsters cannot eat them.
Interesting facts About hamster
There are about 24 species of hamsters in the world, only 5 of which are domesticated. Other hamsters still live in the wild in many parts of the world. There in the wild, hamsters are scavengers and will search for food. However, a very healthy or balanced diet is not available there because they live in the wild. Wild hamsters feed primarily on wild berries, fruits, plants, leaves, seeds, grains, and nuts but will also chew on small insects, frogs, and even lizards if they can get their little paws on them!
A more balanced and healthy diet for domesticated hamsters consists mainly of the special hamster food you can find in pet stores. Quality hamster food makes up for most of their diet and keeps them healthy.
Can hamsters eat arugula? – The conclusion
Hamsters can’t eat much arugula, so you need to provide a variety of options. Arugula, along with many other healthy fruits and vegetables, can help improve your hamster’s nutrition. Remember to take a few minutes to check each new item to ensure it is safe and find the right serving size for your pet.
Try giving your hamster a little bit of arugula. Your furry friend will probably enjoy its unique flavor. If not, there are plenty of other great things to try!
