Can You Feed Oranges to Your Hamsters?

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Can hamsters eat oranges?

If you’re thinking of giving this sweet citric treat to your pet, wait until you read my guide.

We’ll find out why the answer is yes…but also no.

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Can Hamsters Eat Oranges?

Although hamsters can eat oranges it is best not to take any chances and altogether, avoid feeding oranges to hamsters for two reasons:

hamster climbing on top of an orange but can hamsters have oranges?

  • The high acidity causes stomach upsets
  • The high acidic content of citric fruits causes tooth degradation among hamsters

Looking for the best treats for your hamster? Check out our article on good hamster treats for some delicious and nutritious options.

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

… 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 about hamsters favorite food (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

Check our detailed guide on “Can hamsters eat strawberry?”

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 its 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:

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 don’t like it and leave 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.

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READ MORE: Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Grapes?

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 on vegetables to avoid diarrhea. Overfeeding on sugary fruits and treats is also discouraged because it tends to cause obesity in your pet.

a hamster eating tomato

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.

Now you try it!

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

hamster smelling the fresh oranges

Have you tried feeding oranges to your hamster? Let us know in the comments below!

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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