Can hamsters eat pears? Pears are everybody’s favorites. The sweet, smooth, and fleshy texture tempt equally to humans and pets.
Being a pet lover, you surely want to share this juicy fruit with your little hamster. But can you offer pears to them? Do their taste buds relish the sugary pears?
Can hamsters eat pears? Well, they can. Pear treats are safe for hamsters when given in moderate quantities. Hamsters love sugary food and adore the sweetened, crisp and barely ripe pears. There is a lot to learn about hamsters and pears, so keep reading the blog.
Are Pears Good For Hamsters?
Yes! Pears are acceptable snacks for hamsters. They exert beneficial effects on your little buddy’s health. Wants to know how good they are for hamsters? Here are some reasons:
- Rich in dietary fibers
A medium-sized ripe pear contains around 5grams of fiber. Dietary fibers support the gastrointestinal tract in healthy conditions, especially when hamsters are old.
- Antioxidants
Pears are rich in antioxidants that can counter the oxidative damage caused by free radicals and protect the body cells of hamsters from early aging.
- Vitamin C & K
Pears also contain a good portion of vitamin C & K. Vitamin C regulates the immune system of hamsters and keep their skin and fur healthy.
Vitamin C also prevents scurvy which is a common disease of hamsters. Vitamin K is a blood clotting agent and maintains the good reproductive health of hamsters.
- Other minerals
Pears also contain valuable minerals like potassium, calcium, and copper. Potassium maintains normal levels of blood pressure.
Calcium maintains the delicate bones of hamster and help in the active formation and growth of their teeth. Copper is also vital for the ones that are breeding.
How can we offer pears to hamsters?
Can hamsters eat pears? Of course yes! But do you know what the correct way to feed hamsters with pears is? You cannot offer just a raw, fully ripped pear to them. Keep in mind the following instructions for providing them with pears.
- Always bring organic pears for hamsters, as they are free from chemicals.
- Do not choose entirely ripped pears as they are loaded with a lot of sugar. A barely ripped pear with slight crispiness is a perfect treat for them.
- Rinse the pear’s skin thoroughly to wash away pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
- Cut the fruit into fine pieces to reduce the risk of choking hazards.
- Pear seeds contain cyanide, which is very toxic for our little friends, so make sure to remove all the seeds from pears before offering them.
- As your hamster is done with their pears, remove all the uneaten fruit parts to avoid bacterial accumulation in and around the cage.
Do You Know?
Hamsters can eat a variety of foods, we have researched lots of them. Check out this One: Can Hamsters Eat Pretzels?
Risk of pears to hamsters
Pears are ok for hamsters only when given in an appropriate amount. If your hamster consumes too many pears, it will lead to several problems. Let’s shed light on some of the risks associated with them.
- Diabetes
Pears are full of natural sugars. Overeating sugary food will develop teeth problems and type II diabetes in hamsters.
Diabetes, if not managed correctly, trigger multiple health issues like kidney failure, cataracts, and cardiovascular diseases in hamsters.
- Obesity
Obesity is linked with diabetes. Eating plenty of pears will make your hamsters overweight and lethargic. He will not show interest in exercise and can die sooner.
- Gastrointestinal problems
Pears contain abundant dietary fibers, which are normally beneficial for the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract.
However, consuming too many pears means plenty of dietary fibers leading to gastrointestinal upsets like diarrhea and vomiting.
- Abscess formation
Hamsters are known to store their food in their cheek pouches. These uneaten fruit parts will make the body tissue swollen and cause abscess formation, which can be painful for your little pet.
Unacceptable Pear products
Can hamsters eat pears? Yes, they can! But pears come in the form of different products. All of them are not meant for hamsters. A list of some unacceptable pear products are:
- Pear pie
- Pear cider
- Pear juice
How often can you give pears to hamsters?
Well, it depends upon their breeds.
- Syrian hamsters can take around one teaspoon of pear per week.
- Robo hamsters can take around one teaspoon of pear after two weeks.
- Dwarf hamsters can take a tiny piece of pear per week.
Summing up
Can hamsters eat pears? They can. Pears are adequate for their growth and provide essential nutrients. However, overfeeding can cause serious health complications.
Remember that all pear products are not good for hamsters, so make sure to choose the right ones for your delicate friend. Otherwise, it will damage your buddy’s health.
