Hamsters can eat many fruits and vegetables but only in moderate amounts.A small amount of banana can be fed to your pet. However, this amount also varies with different hamsters.Botanically called a berry, a banana is an edible, long fruit of various types of flowering plants of the Musa genus. Bananas are popular for their sweet taste and use in cooking and desserts. These fruits are natives of the tropical Australian and Indomalayan regions, and Papua New Guinea was probably the first country to domesticate bananas. Currently, bananas are grown across 135 countries. Leading producers in 2017 were India, followed by China. Hamsters are Cricetinae rodents and these small pets are usually active during the twilight period. The golden or Syrian hamster is the most common and best-known hamster pet among humans. There are different types of Syrian hamsters with varying hair lengths and colors. A hamster’s diet mainly consists of vegetables, fruits, timothy hay, seeds, and sometimes insects. They are known to hoard their food, carrying it in their cheek pouches to underground storage. When they store the food inside of their face, their face almost doubles in size.The Syrian or the golden hamster is the most common and best-known hamster pet among humans. There are different types of Syrian hamsters with varying hair lengths and colors. Dwarf hamsters are also quite common. Although hamsters can feed on fresh fruits and vegetables, it is necessary to know which ones are safe for them. Leafy green vegetables and fruit that is not citrus are good for a hamster’s digestive system. Sugar-filled junk foods are not favorable food for hamsters. Hamsters love feeding on peanut butter but it can get stuck in the hamster’s cheek. Hamsters eat their own feces to recover digested nutrients.If you enjoy reading these facts about can hamsters eat bananas, then make sure to read some more interesting facts about can hamsters eat lettuce and can hamsters eat carrot here at Kidadl.Health Benefits Of Bananas For HamstersThere are multiple health benefits of bananas for hamsters. The nutrition in bananas fights against free radicals; fights infections and diseases; supports the immune system; prevents scurvy; fights cancer or tumor cells; maintains fur, skin, and eyes; and boosts digestion.Bananas contain nutrients like vitamin B6, potassium, copper, magnesium, vitamin C, protein, fiber, and manganese. The starch present in unripe bananas gradually converts into sugar as bananas ripen. The glycemic index in bananas is moderate, which means that bananas will not cause high spikes in sugar levels in the blood. The resistant starch and fiber will feed the gut’s friendly bacteria and improves digestion. Also, fruits and veggies with fiber, like bananas, contain enough nutrients and fiber to help maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity. Two nutrients, magnesium and potassium, are required for good heart health. Nutrients in bananas such as folate, riboflavin, niacin, and various vitamins help strengthen your pet’s immune system.A medium-sized banana has a small amount of protein and an even smaller amount of fat, 0.006 lb (3.1 g) of fiber, 0.05 lb (24 g) of net carbs, 10% copper, 14% manganese, 9% potassium, 8% magnesium, 1% vitamin C, and 33% vitamin B6. Bananas contain vitamin C which prevents scurvy in hamsters. This vitamin C also promotes bone formation, heals wounds, supports the immune function to prevent diseases, and fights cancer or tumor cells. Bananas are also a good source of vitamin A, which promotes the growth of cells essential for the health of fur or skin and eyes, and boosts immunity. Vitamin B6 also removes toxins for the better functioning of the reproductive system. Feeding antioxidant-rich bananas to your pet may reduce your pet’s free radical damage. This will lower the risk of diseases.Risks Of Hamsters Eating BananasRisks of hamsters eating bananas are diabetes, obesity, nutritional issues, and choking.A very small amount of banana is safe for hamsters to feed on but too much banana can cause illness. Giving your hamster a mix of fresh fruit and veggies as treats helps it maintain a balanced diet without eating an excess of anything. Banana treats can control the appetite of hamsters. Make sure your hamster does not eat bananas every day, which is too much banana and can cause diarrhea. Too much banana can also lead to digestive problems and stomach upset. Too much sugar from bananas can make your hamster obese. Tooth decay is also a side effect of heavy consumption of this fruit due to its high sugar content. There won’t be any signs for more than a month. Too much of this treat can also cause hyperkalemia and diabetes. Also, never force hamsters to eat any fruit they do not want because it can further deteriorate their health.If your hamster feeds on too much of this fruit then provide lots and lots of fresh water. You can also add a little bit of salt to the water. Coconut water is also great. Look for signs of diarrhea and only give small amounts of food of their regular diet. You can also change your hamster’s diet by adding more healthy fats and protein.Are banana peels safe for hamsters?Hamsters can eat banana peels but pet owners need to be careful while feeding small pieces of the peel.Banana peels do have plenty of health benefits like banana flesh does. Hamsters cannot eat huge amounts of banana peels. Peels of bananas contain nutrition that is different from the flesh, so the flesh and peel of this food are not interchangeable. The nutritional value of the banana peel also changes depending on how ripe it is. Peels are rich in fiber and allow better digestion in hamsters. Your hamster’s diet must be fiber-rich to stay healthy without gaining too much weight. It is also recommended to feed the banana peel to your pet along with the flesh. The banana skin has nutrients like fiber, magnesium, vitamin B6, protein, potassium, and vitamin B12. The banana skin can control blood sugar levels and reduce risks of diseases. The banana peel can promote the health of your hamster’s teeth. It also has lower sugar levels than banana flesh. It is better to include the banana peel in the hamster diet.It is usually recommended to give your hamster organic banana peels to avoid any ingestion of chemicals or pesticides. Any store-bought banana must be washed well under running water to remove toxins. You should also only give peels as treats and make sure to remove all uneaten pieces after your hamster feeds on the flesh and peel.How much of a banana can you feed your hamster?Give your hamster around a quarter teaspoon of banana only two times per week.All kinds of hamsters can usually eat bananas as treats. A dwarf hamster is a tiny pet and is prone to imbalanced nutrition and diabetes. Banana can definitely be given as a treat. Your dwarf hamster can be given a serving size of a quarter teaspoon of banana only two times per week. You can gradually increase this to three times a week. The Syrian hamster is bigger and has the appearance of the usual brown rat. You can feed Syrian hamsters around 0.002-0.004 lb (1-2 g) of banana as a treat two times per week. Get rid of all leftovers in the cage as rotting foods can be dangerous to hamsters. Make sure to observe your pet’s cheeks for any stored banana pieces because if they are stored for long, they can cause dental problems and tooth decay.Always make sure to cut the banana into small, bite-sized pieces for your hamster as bigger pieces are difficult for hamsters to hold onto. It is suggested to make small cuts on the peel for better grip. These pieces can be mashed and added to your hamster’s regular food. You can also mix banana pieces with nuts or raisins. Healthy alternatives to bananas are apples, mango, strawberries, raspberries, and apricot. All these fruits contain necessary vitamins and minerals for a hamster’s immunity, digestion, and bodily function.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestion for can hamsters eat bananas, then check out can hamsters eat bread or Syrian hamster facts.
Hamsters can eat many fruits and vegetables but only in moderate amounts.
