There are a variety of fruits and vegetables that a hamster can eat. They’re safe, healthy, and widely available everywhere. You probably know this but there are multiple types of melons. And to know which of them your hamster can eat is a good thing.
The most common types of melons are watermelon, cantaloupe, Galia melon, and winter melon. Today, in this article, I will be specifically talking about watermelon, cantaloupe, and Galia melon.
The most common of the three that hamsters can eat is cantaloupe. Cantaloupe melon is loaded with fiber and vitamins. It’s healthy and safe for hamsters. But only when fed in moderation and carefully.
About watermelon, hamsters can eat that too. But you have to remove the watermelon seeds properly before serving. And second, watermelon is high in sugar so reduce the amount of melons you feed.
Let’s talk more about this in detail, shall we?
Can Hamsters Eat Melon? YES, They Can!
Melons contain fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients. All of these are good for hamsters. But only to a certain limit can you feed melon to hamsters.
This applies to cantaloupes, watermelon, and other permissible types of melons. Hamsters enjoy eating watermelon because of the sweet taste and juicy texture.
And melon is unlikely to do harm or cause poisoning in your hamster. Only that watermelon contains too much sugar. And hamster’s diet does not contain sugar. So an excess of that can cause diabetes, weight gain, heart problems, or indigestion.
How to Pick Watermelon for Hamsters?
There’s a way to select the right watermelon for feeding. You can also do this to make sure you bring home the most delicious and juiciest watermelon for the entire family!
The only thing you need to do when you see a watermelon in a supermarket is to turn the fruit upside down. That is how professional watermelon pickers check for the fruit’s ripeness.
When you see a yellow spot, the size and color of the spot indicate ripeness.
When you see a pale green or white spot or ring around the rind. This means the watermelon wasn’t ripe when it was picked from the farm.
Next, you need to inspect the entire watermelon for cuts and soft spots. A delicious and juicy watermelon is firm from all sides. It should feel slightly hard and heavy. If the watermelon does not feel heavy, even though it’s big in size, it doesn’t contain that much flesh.
How to Pick Cantaloupe for Hamsters?
When you’re feeding cantaloupe melon to your hamster, make sure it’s fresh. If not, it can cause severe unwanted reactions in your hamster. Such as indigestion, gas, bloating, vomiting, and stomach ache.
Hamsters can only eat a peeled cantaloupe without the seeds. When you do this right, you can eliminate all the bad reactions associated with seed poisoning or indigestion.
However, if your hamster still doesn’t like or react well to cantaloupe. It’s best to keep the melon away. Some hamsters are allergic or sensitive to melons.
When you buy cantaloupe from the market, make sure it does not have any soft spots. This indicates freshness. If the cantaloupe looks too pale or mushy or shriveled in size, do not buy it.
Introduce cantaloupe one small piece at a time so that your hamster can digest the food slowly. If you notice any signs of loss of appetite or vomiting or sluggish that is uncommon. Contact your vet immediately and do not feel your hamster any more cantaloupe.
Health Benefits of Feeding Melons
Melons contain plenty of fiber which aids digestion. Dietary fiber is also good if you have an overweight or obese or diabetic hamster. It can aid weight loss and improve metabolism. And it’s a good fruit to reduce cravings and it keeps the belly full for longer.
Vitamins is another significant health benefit of melons. Vitamin A, B6, C, and B-vitamins. Melons have it all. They even contain antioxidants that fight infections, harmful free radicals, and other common diseases.
Vitamin B6, in particular, keeps the hamster’s nervous system healthy. It controls a proper immune response. And plays a role in regulating the central nervous system and the blood cells.
Since watermelon is all water, it’s a good way to keep your hamster hydrated. If your hamster refuses to drink, a few bite-sized pieces of watermelon should do the trick.
Ideal Feeding Amount for Hamsters
It doesn’t matter how much your hamster enjoys eating melons. Because ingesting too much watermelon means drinking too much water. And for hamsters, excess water consumption can cause diarrhea.
Hamsters digest food and water differently than humans. Since they have sensitive bellies, it’s very important to keep these things in moderation.
A good way to feed your hamster melons is 1-2 bite-sized pieces at one time. Make sure you remove all the seeds from the melon. And cut them into small pieces to give your hamster to eat.
A small piece every 2-3 times per week is the ideal amount. Anything more may cause stomach distress, high sugar levels, and diarrhea in hamsters.
Final Thoughts – Can Hamsters Eat Melon?
If everyone in your family loves eating melons, it’s only natural to want to share that joy with your hamster. This article gives you a complete rundown. Can hamsters eat melon? How often can you feed? And what are the side-effects of feeding too much melon?
You also know how to look for the best watermelon for your hamster. Sometimes, a watermelon that looks big and juicy isn’t always so. You have to look at other things like the heaviness, rind, and texture of the melon. Only then will you be able to feed your hamster fresh melon but in moderation.
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