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Hamsters love to eat fruits and vegetables, but they also enjoy other foods such as meat, cheese, and bread. They are omnivores, and their digestive system allows them to digest all types of food.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber and protein and contain essential minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, manganese, and selenium. These nutrients are necessary for growth and development.
Pumpkin seeds are also rich in antioxidants, omega three fatty acids, and vitamin E. The following are reasons why you should feed pumpkins to your hamster.
Pumpkins Make an Excellent Supplement For Hamsters
It is a good source of dietary fibers, carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, fat, and minerals that help maintain body health. Most people feed their pet hamsters once every day or twice per week.
Keep Up with Appetite
Studies have shown that the addition of pumpkin seed powder to food will increase the amount of food eaten without increasing the weight gain. When you give some pumpkin seeds to your hamster, they will start eating more frequently because of this added incentive so that less time will pass before the next meal.
Increase Muscle Mass
A study performed by researchers reported that pumpkin seeds improve the blood cholesterol level, decrease inflammation in the stomach and intestine, and stimulate bone formation. One gram of pumpkin seeds provides about three times the daily recommended intake of calcium, which help increase muscle mass in young animals.
Strengthen Immunity
One of the best ways to ensure better health for yourself and your loved ones is getting enough sleep. Sleep is vital to our well-being, whether during the night or early morning hours. Getting sufficient rest not only makes us feel refreshed upon waking, but it also keeps our immune systems strong and healthy.
More studies show that sleeping longer than six hours per night increases the risk of illness. By providing baby hamsters with a diet containing pumpkin seeds and other natural supplements, you can keep them healthy and happy while keeping them close to home.
Get Rid of Bad Breath
While most hamsters don’t tend to get too much of a problem with halitosis (bad breath), if it happens, add some pumpkin seeds into their diet. This is because the amino acid L-arginine found in pumpkin seeds helps the liver detoxify the ammonia produced as part of the process known as the urea cycle.
Ammonia is responsible for causing bad breath. When there’s a buildup of toxic substances, the organs can become damaged due to free radical damage.
Do You Know?
Hamsters can eat a variety of foods, we have researched lots of them. Check out this one: Can Hamsters Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
Prevent Intestinal Infections
Pumpkin seeds can help prevent diarrhea caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and worms. This happens because they contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid that encourages the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that can calm the nervous system when levels are low. Tryptophan works as a neurotransmitter, meaning that it sends signals through the brain, including alerts related to mood, energy, emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
Help Clean out the Colon
Because pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber, they make a tremendous prebiotic supplement. Prebiotics are indigestible compounds that feed beneficial fiber in the large intestines, improving digestion and nutrient absorption.
These tiny organisms play an essential role in maintaining good digestive health and helping the body stay disease-free. If you want your baby hamster to be as healthy as possible, consider giving them some pumpkin seeds every once in a while.
Remove Unwanted Odors from Your Pet’s Coat
You can do this easily by simply placing pumpkin seeds on the areas of your hamster where the smell is coming from. The roots act like natural deodorants. As the hamsters lap up the pumpkin seeds, they absorb the odor molecules naturally.
Improve Kidney Function
Pumpkin seeds have high amounts of zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and sodium. These minerals regulate water metabolism and promote urinary tract health.
For example, if your hamster shows signs of dehydration, eating a few handfuls of pumpkin seeds can quickly restore hydration levels. They’re also excellent sources of copper, another mineral that plays an integral role in overall kidney function.
Is Pumpkin Safe For Hamsters?
So, next time you see your hamster chewing on something, provide a little treat of his own: add some pumpkin seeds to your hamster’s daily food intake. Your furry friend will love the taste and texture, along with all the added nutrition.
Remember always to follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding feeding your hamster. It’s essential to know which ingredients are safe for your baby hamster. Not following the proper directions means risking problems for both you and your pet.
