Can hamsters eat turkey? Being a pet owner of a cat or dog, you certainly know about their food and other guidelines but bringing small pets like hamsters into your home is often challenging as you are not always well prepared and guided about their care and cravings.
Turkey is a delicious meat dish; no Christmas and thanksgiving party is complete without it. Cats and dogs can easily eat turkey, but, Can hamsters eat turkey? The answer is yes! Your little one will love it, but you must take care of certain things. Want to know what they are? Then Keep reading.
Is Turkey Good For Hamsters?
Can hamsters eat turkey? Yes! Turkey is good for hamsters; they can eat it, but you need to consider the following things.
- Turkey should be finely chopped and thoroughly cooked, as you cannot give raw turkey to your hamsters.
- Do not add salt and seasonings to your hamster’s turkey; otherwise, it will hurt your pet’s health.
What Are The Benefits Of Turkey For Hamsters?
Turkey holds complete nutritional value for your hamster when given properly. Let’s have a closer look at its nutritional contents:
1. Protein:
No one can deny the importance of protein for muscles in humans and hamsters. 100grams of turkey breast contain a significant portion of proteins. It can strengthen hamsters’ muscles and help in the active growth of the body.
2. Iron:
Female hamsters should have a balanced iron level; otherwise, the deficiency can lead to anemia. Turkey will help to achieve a balanced level of iron in the body of hamsters.
3. Niacin:
Turkey also provides niacin or vitamin B3, which is a water-soluble vitamin. It protects hamsters’ hair and skin and keeps them perfectly healthy.
4. Zinc:
Zinc has a role in regulating the immune system. Zinc helps hamsters break down their protein content and is also beneficial for those in the breeding stage.
5. Phosphorus:
Turkey provides a good portion of phosphorus necessary for bone formation and the growth of hamsters.
Risks Of Feeding Turkey To Hamsters
If your hamsters consume too much turkey, it will impose the following risk factors on your little buddy’s health:
1. Diabetes:
Turkey contains a massive portion of fats, especially in its skin. So feeding the hamsters too much turkey will lead to type 2 diabetes. If your hamster is already a diabetic, turkey is not safe as it can further worsen the condition.
Do You Know?
Hamsters can eat a variety of foods, we have researched lots of them. Check out this One: Can Hamsters Eat Yogurt?
2. Stomach Problems:
Hamsters have very tiny stomachs. Giving them lots of turkey meat can cause stomach issues like vomiting, stomach ache, and upset stomach. The reason is that their small stomach cannot digest large quantities of food.
3. Obesity:
As mentioned above, turkey is rich in fats, so feeding turkey to hamsters regularly will cause weight gain, eventually leading to obesity.
4. Choking Hazard:
Hamsters should not eat turkey with bones as they will cause damage and serious health issues like perforation. Large turkey pieces should be cut down into small pieces; otherwise, it can cause a choking hazard.
How Much Turkey Is Suitable For Your Hamster?
As a pet owner, now you know the answer to the question, “Can hamsters eat turkey?” but do you know exactly how much turkey is safe for hamsters?
What amount can they eat without getting sick? Well, the answer is that it depends on the breed of hamster. Different breeds have different requirements hence the safe limit is variable across different breeds.
· Quantity of turkey for Syrian hamsters
Syrian hamsters like turkey, but you should not give them too much turkey. One teaspoon of turkey every week is enough for Syrian hamsters.
· Quantity of turkey for Robo hamsters
Robo hamsters also love to eat turkey, but as they are much smaller than Syrian hamsters, they cannot eat as much turkey as Syrian hamsters. One teaspoon of turkey after two weeks is enough for Robo hamsters.
· Quantity of turkey for Dwarf Hamster
Winter White dwarf and Chinese hamsters are extremely small, so they can only take one teaspoon of turkey per month. If given more than that, the hamsters can become sick.
Wrapping Up
Can hamsters eat turkey? Yes, absolutely. Hamsters can have turkey as it fulfills most of their nutritional requirements, but you need to prepare turkey without salt and seasonings.
Also, you need to give the amount suitable for hamsters depending upon their breeds. Excessive turkey can lead to serious health consequences.
