Can Hamsters Eat Bananas?
All hamster owners should know that a balanced and nutritional diet is the most important if they want to keep their hamsters healthy and lively. Apart from a commercial brand hamster food your hamster will also need a fresh supply of water.
Also, you may add fresh fruits and vegetables to your hamster’s diet but they should be served only as occasional treats. Although fresh food is not necessary in your hamster’s diet, your hamster will certainly appreciate the variety in his diet.
In this article we will talk about bananas and their impact on a hamster’s health. Bananas are very popular food items for us humans, but are bananas safe for hamsters or they may be poisonous? Read carefully this article and you will find out, but first we will tell you something more about bananas.
More about Bananas
Banana is an edible fruit that is botanically a berry. It is produced by large herbaceous flowering plant that belongs to the genus Musa. You probably didn’t know that banana plant is considered the largest herbaceous flowering plant in the world. In many countries bananas that are used for cooking are called plantains. Bananas vary in size, color and firmness but they are usually elongated and curved. Their flesh is soft and rich in starch.
A banana’s peel can be yellow, green purple, red or brown when it is ripe. Banana fruits grow in clusters that are hanging from the top of the plant. Bananas are delicious and they provide us with dietary fiber and vitamins. They are an excellent source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese and dietary fiber. There’s no doubt that bananas have a lot of health benefits for people, but can we share bananas with our hamsters? Are bananas good for them or they may be harmful? Just continue reading and you will find out.
Can Hamsters Eat Bananas?
If your hamster loves bananas, you don’t have to worry. Bananas are on the list of hamster approved foods. Like apples, strawberries and many other fruits, it is safe to eat bananas, but in small amounts. It is known that most hamsters love eating bananas, so it is okay to give them this delicious snack occasionally.
Bananas can be beneficial for your hamster because they are rich in vitamin B6, magnesium and dietary fiber. Due to its high fiber content, bananas can regulate digestion and prevent constipation. You can also use bananas if your hamster is already constipated. Bananas will help him with this problem.
We will also tell you if your hamster can eat banana peels. It is known that banana peels are rich in nutrients, including magnesium, potassium, vitamins B6 and vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber. But, banana peels from supermarkets usually contain pesticide residue, so it is best not to feed them to your hamster.
How Many Bananas Should Hamsters Eat?
As we have already said, a small amount of bananas is okay for hamsters. Large amounts of this fruit may cause many side effects, such as bloating and diarrhea. Your hamster may also start to vomit if he has eaten too large amount of bananas. It is recommended to feed your hamster only half a slice in one serving. You can give a bit more if your hamster is constipated.
You should also have in mind that bananas are rich in sugar, so large amounts of bananas may lead to weight gain or diabetes. To avoid any health risks, it is best to use this delicious fruit only as an occasional treat and your hamster will certainly enjoy it.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, you can use bananas as an occasional snack for your hamster. Feeding your hamster bananas from time to time can be beneficial and improve your hamster’s digestion.
But, remember that large amounts of bananas may have many side effects. They can cause gastrointestinal and other health problems to your hamster. Because of that it is best to feed your hamster bananas in moderation in order to avoid any health issues. Keep in mind that moderation is the key of good health and that you are responsible for your hamster’s health.
