An apple a day, as we humans say, keeps the doctor away, but could we say the same when it comes to our pets, in particular, our pet hamsters! Both man and his pets favor apples, but can hamsters eat green apples? Or, specifically, Can hamsters eat green apples?
Apples are everyone’s favorite and healthy fruit commonly used in cooking or eaten as a snack. This juicy fruit also provides us with many health benefits. So it’s not uncommon to wonder if you can share a little with your hamster.
Did you know there are over 7500 different types of apples worldwide?
Let’s read on to find out whether green apples are good for our hamster.
We will go through all the benefits and possible risks of feeding green apples to your pet hamster in this article, this way, and you can make the best choice for your beloved pet.
Health benefits of apples for hamsters
Apples are a well-known source of antioxidants. These limit the effects of damaging particles in the body called free radicals. It is believed that the antioxidants from the apples help reduce the risk of certain cancers, diabetes, and heart disease in humans.
Dietary fiber is essential for hamsters’ healthy digestive system and keeps normal intestinal bacteria in good working order.
Apples are rich in vitamin C, high in fiber, low in calories, and cholesterol-free, making them an all-around excellent choice for a healthy addition to your hamster’s diet.
Vitamin C is necessary for immune system function and can help hamsters fight off disease. It is also a vital nutrient for healthy skin, and it helps regenerate and heal wounds. In a study involving hamsters, vitamin C also helped prevent and delay cancer.
So, can hamsters eat green apples?
The answer is yes, but not all hamsters are advised to eat them; only some can. They can also enjoy them safely and healthily. However, some basic rules need to be followed when feeding this fruit to hamsters to minimize any possible side effects.
Now that we’ve identified the possible health benefits of apples for hamsters, let’s take a closer look at the risks of feeding green apples to your hamster and, if possible, how to avoid them.
Are there risks to hamsters eating green apples?
When adding any new food to a hamster’s diet, there is always a risk of disrupting the digestive system in its normal state, most commonly by causing diarrhea or impaction. This can be reduced by introducing the new food very slowly and in small amounts until your pet hamster gets used to the new food.
If you notice that your hamster is reacting to the new food, it is best to go back to its original food and not continue feeding it the new food as part of its diet, at least for a while, before trying again.
Hamsters are known to like to hoard food in their cheeks and in the corners of their cages too. However, fruit rots quickly and becomes moldy after a few days, and if the hamster eats it later, it will become ill.
Therefore, it is best to offer a small number of green apples and remove any uneaten pieces after a couple of hours on the same day.
It’s important to mention that green apples contain phosphorus, fat, and calcium, a little more acidic level, and a lot of sugar than regular red apples.
This means that Syrian and Roborovski hamsters can eat green apples in small amounts occasionally. Although, you do not feed them too much.
When feeding green apples or other fruits to our pet hamsters, the fruit’s acid, water, sugar, fat, salt, calcium, and phosphorus content should be sifted through and ensure that they aren’t too high in the fruit.
Since green apples contain a high sugar level, winter white dwarf hamsters, Chinese hamsters, and Russian Campbell’s dwarf hamsters should not eat them unless absolutely necessary. This is because these species of hamsters are more susceptible to diabetes.
Can hamsters eat apple peels or rinds?
Apple peels are very nutritious and contain dietary fiber and vitamins. Therefore, you do not need to remove the peel, as hamsters can safely consume it. It never hurts to wash the apples thoroughly to remove any possible pesticides before feeding them to your pet hamster.
Can hamsters eat apple seeds?
The answer is no; Unlike cantaloupe seeds, apple seeds should never be given to hamsters for ingestion. Apple seeds are recorded to contain cyanide, which is toxic and can cause life-threatening adverse effects when enough quantities of apple seeds are consumed. On the other hand, humans need to eat a whole lot of apple seeds before they suffer any adverse side effects, but hamsters, due to their small size, may get very sick or even die from eating just a few seeds.
Therefore, it is essential to remove apple seeds when preparing this fruit carefully.
How many apples can my hamster eat?
One or two apples per week are sufficient. This amount adds variety and flavor to the hamster’s diet and provides health benefits. Providing hamsters with large amounts of apples is more likely to cause digestive discomfort.
Can hamsters eat green apples? – The Conclusion
Fresh fruit, such as apples, is a safe and healthy way to supplement a hamster’s diet. However, apples should be consumed in moderation, as too many can lead to digestive upset and diarrhea. For your pet hamster, apples once or twice a week should be sufficient.
Hopefully, we have successfully answered the question, “Can hamsters eat apples?” This question. And that you found this article informative, you can now make an informed decision about feeding apples to your pet hamster.
Feel free to share it with another hamster-loving friend!
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Apple
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/63304/Malus-domestica-Howgate-Wonder-(C)/Details
- https://web.extension.illinois.edu/apples/facts.cfm#:~:text=7%2C500%20varieties%20of%20apples%20are,grown%20in%20all%2050%20states.
- https://extension.psu.edu/why-all-the-new-apple-varieties
