Like rabbits and hamsters, hamsters love to eat grass.
Since they’re so small, it doesn’t take much time for them to devour an entire bunch. Although it’s common for them to refuse to eat the new grass you give them, you can teach your hamster to break it up with playtime.
So, can hamsters eat grass? Yes, hamsters can eat grass!
Hamsters mainly eat seeds, grains, and fruits and vegetables, but they can also eat grass. Grass contains a lot of nutrients that hamsters need for a healthy diet.
Hamsters should eat grass in moderation and not too much, however. Otherwise, they can develop some health problems, such as diarrhea or vomiting.
Furthermore, hamsters also shouldn’t eat grass if they have a stomach ache, diarrhea, or if they have recently eaten grass.
Can Hamsters Eat Grass?
Contents
Hamsters love to eat grass, but should you let them? Allowing your hamster to eat grass isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you should limit the amount of grass they eat.
Hamsters are herbivores that eat greens like dandelion greens and clover. Because grass is high in calcium and protein, which can make your hamster sick if eaten too much, you should only let it make up 10% of their diet.
If your hamster is eating a lot of grass, it may also be a sign of stress or boredom. Hamsters need plenty of enrichment activities to keep them entertained.
Hamsters are also prone to grass seed aspiration, which is a danger when their grass intake is excessive. Hamsters also like to eat other greens like clover and dandelion, which are toxic to them and can cause health issues like diarrhea and dehydration.
If you want your hamster to eat grass, you should make sure they’re eating grass that’s digestible.
You can grow your own grass for food by mowing your lawn and collecting the clippings for your hamster’s grass diet. Hamsters also like to eat grass that has fallen from plants like dandelion and clover.
A better option than letting your hamster eat grass is giving them greens like carrot greens or kale, which are safe for them to eat and will provide them with the nutrition they need to stay healthy.
Is Grass Safe For Hamsters?
The grass is okay to feed them, but not too much because they will throw up sometimes and have loose stool.
To keep your hamster’s digestive system from getting upset, you should never give it new grass and always cut the grass before giving it to your hamster.
Grass, on the other hand, might become dangerous for your hammy if it has eaten too much or hasn’t had enough time to digest it.
Your hamster’s standard mixed grain should be comprised of about 50 percent grains, with the remainder being fruits and vegetables.
How Is Grass Good For Hamsters?
Grass has little nutritional value, but it can still help your pet stay fit by providing it with fiber, vitamins C and K, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and other nutrients.
These types of grass are the easiest for hamsters to digest, so they are the best choice as a treat rather than as a regular part of their diet.
Hamsters often shove grass into their mouths with their cheeks so they can eat the grass without getting dirty.
Make sure to keep track of how active your pet is so you can gauge how much energy it needs to survive.
Benefits Of Grass
Antioxidants
These protect your hamster from getting sick by combating free radicals in the environment.
Calcium
The mineral is important for many things in your pet’s body, like keeping its bones and teeth strong and making sure its nervous system works well.
Iron
The mineral helps your hamster produce more red blood cells, which transport oxygen to all the cells in the body.
Vitamin A & C
These vitamins help protect your hamster’s eyes, bones, skin, and lungs from infections and disease.
Cholesterol Reduction
Because it eats grass, your hamster may take in more cholesterol than usual, but this is important for its health.
Digestive Benefits
Grass contains digestive fibers, which aid in digestion and decrease the chances of your pet developing stomach problems.
Risks Of Grass
Nutritional Deficiencies
While grass has some nutritional advantages, eating too much of it can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Diarrhea or Vomiting
If your hamster eats too much grass too quickly, it may experience diarrhea or vomiting, which can be painful for your pet.
Digestive Tract Blockage
If your hamster eats too much grass, it can get stuck on the blades, which can cause your hamster to choke and die.
Grass Seed Aspiration
If grass seeds are swallowed whole, they can become lodged in your pet’s lungs, which can cause it to choke.
Insecticides and Pesticides
Because they are meant to destroy bugs that infest the home, insecticides and pesticides can be toxic to hamsters.
Noxious Fumes
Your hamster might get sick from the grass it eats if it has been exposed to car fumes.
Respiratory Problems
Hamsters can develop breathing problems and pneumonia if they inhale the chemicals used in chemical houses or if their cage is near or next to a greenhouse or chemical factory.
How Often Should You Feed Grass to Your Hamster?
As long as your hamster gets other, more nutritious foods in its diet, an occasional piece of fresh grass is fine as a treat.
If given the choice, most hamsters will eat large amounts of grass and seeds when given the chance.
Also Read: Can Hamsters Eat Oranges?
Conclusion
In conclusion, hamsters can eat grass.
Hamsters do chew grass, and although they can digest it, it’s not good for their health. Most hamsters don’t eat grass regularly, but when they do it’s usually due to stress or boredom.
As hamster owners, we should make sure our hamster doesn’t overeat grass. Hamsters love scratching around and eating grass, so it’s a good idea to give them some toys to gnaw on or puzzle feeders.
