Can hamsters eat cheerios – Yes, hamsters can eat cheerios but only in small amounts and the plain original cheerios. Plain cheerios don’t contain any flavors and are thus suitable for your hamster as they don’t be the reason for different health problems.
If you’ve already given cheerios to your hamster and he ate it with joy, then remember hamsters are omnivores. They can eat almost anything that is offered to them. It’s up to you to decide whether it’s good or bad for your hamster’s health. So, keep reading this post to know the benefits, risks, and the safe number of cheerios for hamsters.
Benefits of Cheerios for Hamsters
Cheerios provide both saturated and unsaturated fiber. Plus, they contain beneficial nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, fiber, sodium, and vitamins like vitamin A, D, C, and K.
Humans can eat cheerios in large numbers leading to a fast absorption of these minerals and vitamins. On the contrary, hamsters can’t have cheerios in large amounts. So, they benefit from them after a long time when enough cheerios have been consumed.
If you find cheerios healthy for yourself, it doesn’t mean they will work the same for your hamster too. They are beneficial, but the duration for positive results is long. After a specific time, cheerios can improve the digestive health of your little hamster.
To get this benefit, you have to practice moderation. Feeding too many cheerios to your hamster at once will only make him sick.
Risks Associated with Feeding Cheerios to Hamsters
Many health issues can occur if hamsters eat cheerios regularly and without checking the amount. Cheerios contain high amounts of sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and salt. All of these are harmful to hamsters. Some of the risks associated with feeding cheerios to your hamsters include:
Chocolate-flavored cheerios can kill hamsters quickly because chocolate isn’t suitable for hamsters, even in low amounts.
The high sugar content can be a cause of obesity and diabetes in the hamsters. These two conditions are considered the primary causes of many health issues.
High cholesterol is often associated with heart disease and can damage other organs too.
Likewise sugar and cholesterol, sodium is also harmful in high amounts. It’s the primary cause of high blood pressure which can be a reason for organ damage and heart attack.
Sugar in cheerios can also damage hamsters’ teeth due to teeth decay. If your hamster’s teeth are affected, it becomes difficult for him to eat other foods too.
How Many Cheerios Can a Hamster Eat?
First of all, you should give cheerios as a treat to your hamster and not a meal. The number of cheerios shouldn’t exceed one of two plain cheerios in a week. A plethora of diseases can make the hamsters sick if they eat cheerios more than this recommended amount. Cheerios contain many ingredients that can create different health problems in hamsters.
Moreover, avoid adding flavored cheerios to your hamster’s diet. In flavored cheerios, food colors and preservatives are added, which hamsters cannot excrete or digest.
Healthy Alternatives to Cheerios
Cheerios have many healthy alternatives to keep your hamster healthy and active, these include:
- Squash
- Lenticels
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Seedless apples
- Cooked potatoes
- Unsalted peanuts
- Cucumber
- Cauliflower
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Peas
- Spinach
- Mealworms
- Cooked chicken
Ask a vet about the risks of a food item before giving it to your hamster. This will help you save your hamster from getting into situations affecting his lifespan.
FAQs
Yes, dwarf hamsters can eat cheerios, but they shouldn’t. Dwarf hamsters can get diabetes more quickly than other hamster breeds. The sugar, cholesterol, food dyes, and salt in cheerios can make your dwarf hamster obese, increasing the risk of obesity. Therefore, you should avoid giving cheerios to your dwarf hamsters.
No, hamsters shouldn’t eat any flavored cheerios, including honey nut cheerios. Many pet owners think that honey nut cheerios are healthy for hamsters because they contain nuts. But they don’t have actual nuts. Artificial flavors are used to give them the flavor of nuts. These artificial flavors can create many health problems for hamsters.
Feeding Cheerios To Hamsters Answered
If your hamster craves something, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for your furry buddy. Deciding safe and healthy food for your hamster is up to you. Hamsters can eat cheerios in small amounts if they don’t contain any flavors. Flavored cheerios aren’t safe for your hamster and create many health problems for him. So it’s better to avoid them and give plain original cheerios as a treat to your hamster!
