Can Hamsters Eat Cucumbers? (Nutritious Treat & Feeding Tips)

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Wondering “can hamsters eat cucumbers?”

You’ll be happy to know that the answer is pretty simple!

Read on to learn what it is, plus find out how often (if ever) your hammy can have cukes.

Check: Syrian Hamster Treats

Can Hamsters Eat Cucumbers?

Yes, hamsters can eat cucumbers.

In fact, it’s eaten by most hamster species all over the globe.

As for how much, hamsters only require a quarter teaspoon of cucumber once every week.

But keep in mind that you first need to wash and clean your cucumber and leave it at room temperature and not fridge temperature.

Take a look at this cute hamster enjoying cucumber:

READ MORE: Can Hamster Eat Almonds?

Benefits Of Cucumbers For Hamsters

Cucumbers are a great food for hamsters to eat. They are low in calories and fat, but high in vitamins and minerals. They also have a lot of water in them, which will help keep your hamster hydrated.

  • Cucumbers are good for hamsters because they are low in fat and calories. This means that they won’t make your hamster fat like some other foods would. They also contain very little cholesterol, so your hamster won’t become sick if he eats too much cucumber at once.
  • Cucumbers contain plenty of fiber and water. The fiber helps to keep your hamster’s digestive system healthy while the water will help him stay hydrated throughout the day. Your hamster may not drink enough water if he doesn’t eat enough vegetables or fruits, so cucumbers can be very useful in preventing this problem from occurring in your pet’s life.
  • Cucumbers contain many vitamins and minerals that are essential for keeping your pet healthy as well as helping their digestive system work properly.

Can Hamsters Eat Cucumber Leaves?

The answer is yes, hamsters can eat cucumber leaves. However, this doesn’t mean you should give your hamster an unlimited supply of cucumber leaves.

It’s always better to avoid giving them too much of a good thing. The same goes for other types of plants and fruits.

Here are some things to consider before feeding your hamster cucumber leaves:

Cucumber leaves may be too bitter for some hamsters. You can try mixing them with other greens or fruits before giving them to your pet.

If you notice that your hamster isn’t eating the cucumber leaves on his own, don’t force him to eat them by hand-feeding him. He may have his reasons for not eating it and forcing him to do so won’t help at all.

Make sure that there are no pesticides or chemicals on the cucumber leaves before feeding them to your pet hamster.

Can Baby Hamsters Eat Cucumbers?

A baby hamster can eat cucumber in small amounts as part of a balanced diet that includes pellets, seeds, and greens. A little bit of cucumber once or twice a week should not cause any health problems for your pet.

However, if you notice diarrhea or weight loss, stop feeding your hamster cucumbers immediately and contact your vet for advice on how to treat the problem.

How To Feed Cucumbers To Hamsters

Cucumbers contain a lot of water, which is great for keeping your hamster hydrated. If you do not have access to fresh cucumbers, you can use frozen ones instead.

You should avoid feeding your hamster large amounts of cucumbers at once because they are high in sugar and carbohydrates.

The best way to feed cucumbers to hamsters is by slicing them up into small pieces and placing them into the cage for the hamster to eat whenever they choose.

You should never feed whole cucumbers or big chunks of them at once because they will only cause choking or constipation issues in your pet if they cannot digest them properly.

You should also avoid giving your pet any seeds or skin on the cucumbers because neither of these things is digestible by hamsters, which means that any seeds or skins you give them will just pass through their digestive tract without being broken down at all!

How Often Can Hamsters Eat Cucumbers?

You should avoid giving your hamster cucumbers more than once a week because too much cucumber can cause digestive problems for your pet.

If you want to give your hamster some cucumbers every now and then, then make sure that you only feed them one or two slices at a time as these slices contain a lot of water which will make them go to the bathroom frequently after eating them.

Hamsters that eat too many cucumbers may develop diarrhea or constipation due to their high water content.

It is best to avoid feeding them cucumbers if they already have those symptoms since it could worsen the situation instead of solving it

What Others Treats Can I Give My Hamster?

Hamsters thrive on a high-variety diet. Fruit and vegetables are with some exceptions good and healthy choices that add antioxidants and healthy fats to a diet.

In addition, food like meat and cheese can be important protein sources…[1]

… and watching your hamster feast on its treats is sure to give you a warm and even proud feeling!

If you’re ever unsure about feeding your hamster a particular food, just don’t do it. Likewise, if your hamster ate something you’re not sure about, call your vet.

​To answer the most common items given as treats (and some items not to give you hammy) we’ve put together a hamsterific infographic you can get below.

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hamster food infographic

READ MORE: Can Hamsters Eat Peanuts?

3-Step System for Testing New Hamster Treats

When I introduce new treats for my Hamster, Mr. Bubbles, there is a 3-step system I use every time to ensure it’s good for his little stomach.

How to Test New Hamster Treats

  1. Make sure it’s fresh, washed, and doesn’t contain any pesticide (i.e. purchase organic treats)
  2. Test if your hamster can eat the treat. This is done by giving a little test piece and waiting a couple of days watching for any symptoms
  3. Introduce the treat into your hamster’s diet at more regular intervals over the coming weeks

READ MORE: Can Hamsters Eat Broccoli?

Best Hamster Food

Besides giving your hamster treats, it is very important to give it the right kind of hamster food.

There is a lot of food out there with one of the following traits:

  • Not enough protein in it
  • Becomes dusty
  • Your hamster simply doesn’t like it and leaves a lot of food

That’s why, we have done the research and recommend the following three products, which are none of the above, and instead are the backbone of a good hamster diet.

Table could not be displayed.

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Other Feeding Tips for Your Hamster

1. Provide fresh water every day. The water bottle should be frequently checked for any dirt or leaks to avoid contamination of the water. It is also good to monitor your hamster’s water intake because a reduction of water intake can mean you need to visit the vet.

2. Remove any remnants of feed to avoid rotting- this is especially for fresh fruits, vegetables, and powdered food which tend to grow mold/bacteria.

3. Do not overfeed vegetables to avoid diarrhea. Overfeeding on sugary fruits and treats is also discouraged because it tends to cause obesity in your pet.

4. When introducing a new kind of feed to your hamster, you should first give a small amount and observe for a week for any negative reaction to the food. If there is no negative reaction, then the feed is safe for consumption for your hamster. A sudden change in the diet of your pet may cause stress.

a hamster eating donut, can hamsters eat cucumber

FAQ

Can hamsters eat pickles?

Hamsters can eat pickles, but they should only be given them occasionally — not every day. Pickles are high in sugar and salt, which can cause health issues if consumed too often.

Conclusion

Now you try it!

You are now well equipped to start feeding all kinds of treats to your hamster.

If you have any questions about any treat we have not covered please leave a comment below – we’ll be around to answer it.

References

  • 1. Hamster Care Sheet & Guide | PetSmart [Internet]. Petsmart.com. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 6]. Available from: https://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/small-pet-care/hamster-care-guide/A0092.html
  • 2. Mary Jo DiLonardo. Cucumber [Internet]. WebMD. WebMD; 2019 [cited 2021 Dec 6]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/cucumber-health-benefits
cucumbers in front of hamsters, can hamsters eat cucumber

Can hamsters eat cucumbers? Do they like cucumbers? Please share your opinion.

Alina Hartley
Alina Hartley

Alina Hartley is a small-town girl with a ginormous love of bearded dragons. It all started with Winchester, a baby bearded who was abandoned at the shelter by his former owners because of a birth defect that caused one front leg to be shorter than the other. Alina originally went to the shelter looking for a guinea pig, but one look at Winchester and it was love at first sight. From that day on, Alina has dedicated her life to learning everything she can about bearded dragons. She loves helping new beardie parents start their incredible journey with these magnificent reptiles.
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