Can Hamsters Eat Almonds?
Hamsters receive from their regular diet all the nutrients they need, but they also love some human foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Of course, they can be eaten as occasional treats. But, there are certain foods that may be harmful to hamsters.
To avoid any potential health risks, it is important to be well informed about certain foods that you are introducing into your hamster’s diet. If you already own a hamster, you certainly know that it can be funny but also very difficult. You are the only responsible for your hamster’s health and you have to take care of his diet and many other things.
In this article we will deal with almonds. Have you ever feed your hamster almonds? Are they safe for hamsters or they can be bad for their health? Just continue reading this article and you will find out, but first we will tell you some things about almonds.
More about Almonds
Almonds are edible and widely cultivated seeds of the almond tree that is native to the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.
Almonds can be eaten raw or toasted, but they are also used as an ingredient in many dishes. Almonds are rich in nutrients and they are very healthy.
Are Almonds Safe for Hamsters?
If you are wondering whether almonds are safe for your hamster, we have good news for you. You can feed your hamsters almonds but you have to be sure that you are giving your hamster a sweet variety of almonds. Sweet almonds are perfectly safe for hamsters, whereas bitter almonds may be toxic.
Actually, bitter almonds contain a cyanide compound that can easily kill your hamster. Only one bitter almond is enough to kill your pet, so be careful.
It is recommended to purchase only organic almonds without shells. Non-organic varieties of almonds usually contain some toxic compounds and they can harm or even kill your hamster.
Also, it is important to examine the almonds carefully before giving them to your hamster. You should remove the almonds that don’t have the perfect almond shape, because they are usually bitter. It is also recommended to soak the almonds in hot water 15 minutes before feeding your hamster. This way you will soften the skins of almonds and you should remove them, because skin will irritate your hamster’s stomach.
How Many Almonds Should Hamsters Eat?
Sweet almonds are safe for hamsters as long as they are eaten in small amounts. If you are wondering how many almonds you should give to your hamster, we will tell you. Half an almond each day is more than enough if you have a small hamster. If your hamster is medium or large, then you should give him a whole almond each day, but not more than one almond per day.
Have in mind that almonds and similar nuts are high in fat, which can lead to weight gain and many digestive problems. Digestive system of a hamster is very sensitive, so large amounts of almonds may be very dangerous. You should use almonds only as an occasional treat and your hamster will enjoy it.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, almonds are safe for hamsters but it is important to use only small amounts of almonds. If eaten in large amounts, almonds can lead to many health problems with your hamster.
Also, it is important to feed your hamster sweet almonds and to avoid a bitter variety of almonds because they may be toxic. If you feed your hamster small amounts of almonds you will provide him long and healthy life.
