Can Hamsters Eat Hard Boiled Eggs?

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Can Hamsters Eat Hard Boiled Eggs?

Hamsters are amazing pets and have become quite popular in America, but what comes to your mind when you think about your furry friend’s diet?

Some people are probably thinking of the commercial food designed for hamsters, or even just little bits of fruits and veggies once in a while. However, not many will think about protein when it comes to hamsters.

Let’s take a closer look at the diet of hamsters.

Can Hamsters Have Hard Boiled Eggs?

Many people don’t know that hamsters are omnivore creatures like humans. They also need a diet filled with various items, including protein-rich food or meat. While commercial hamster food does have protein, it may not always be enough for the hamster.

Wild hamsters in the US are known to eat vegetables, fruits, and meat, so why would you deprive your pet of such a good diet? This is why it is crucial to give hamsters some protein. This is where hard-boiled eggs come in.

We recommend giving hamsters a slice of hard-boiled eggs twice a week. You can also give them a small piece of cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, or a small amount of cottage cheese. Hamsters can eat more than chicken eggs too.

You can give them small chunks of duck eggs and quail eggs too. You can even give them some treats like mealworms (yes, we know how that sounds, but your hamsters will consider them a treat!).

Are Eggs Safe for My Hamsters?

Eggs are considered safe for hamsters since they can be a good source of protein. They also contain essential minerals like vitamins and iron that can help improve your pet’s health.

If you don’t want to give hamsters a hard-boiled egg, you can also give them pan-fried, oil-free eggs or scrambled, soft-boiled, or backed eggs.

Note: Never give your hamster raw egg whites. This will significantly impact their health, leading to hair loss, eye infections, and skin problems.

Can I Give Raw Egg Yolks to Hamsters?

You will find some sources online that suggest that you can give raw yolks to hamsters. However, many veterinarians agree that it may not be a good idea.

Giving raw egg yolks to the hamster can increase their risk of catching salmonella. Since the yolks don’t hold any added nutritional value, there is also no benefit to feeding them the egg yolk.

When you combine this risk with the added medical issues that raw egg whites can cause, you will see that there are no benefits to giving hamsters raw eggs in any form.

How Much Egg Should We Give to Hamsters?

The recommended amount of egg that can be given is just a piece twice a week. It mainly depends on the size of your hamster. So, if you have a dwarf hamster, we recommend reducing the amount to just once a week, not more than a quarter of an egg.

For larger hamsters, they can even take on a quarter to half of an egg a week (divided between 2-3 feedings).

Since duck eggs are bigger than chicken eggs and have a higher content of calories and fat, we recommend decreasing the amount further for all sizes of hamsters.

For quail eggs, a large hamster can easily consume 1-2 eggs, while smaller ones will be happy with just one –or even less.

How Do I Cook Eggs for My Hamster?

Hamsters can have eggs in a variety of ways and stay happy. However, any cooking technique that leaves the egg’s yolk uncooked shouldn’t be used, such as over-easy, sunny side up, or poached.

We recommend sticking to baked or hard or soft-boiled eggs. They also like scrambled eggs but recommend making them without milk, oil, salt, butter, cracked pepper, cheese, or milk. You can also give them pan-cooked eggs, but keep them oil-free, and don’t add butter.

The best thing you can do is make them a scramble or omelet with some vegetables. They will enjoy this nutritious treat but stick to a controlled amount so that you don’t overfeed them any ingredients.

Are Eggs Too Fatty for My Hamsters?

While eggs can be a good treat once in a while for the hamsters, they are indeed quite fatty. We recommend only giving them a few times a week. You will need to control the portions vigilantly so that your hamster doesn’t get too obese since that can lead to medical issues in the long run. Fatty foods are also known to create stomach problems and diarrhea for hamsters.

Do I Need to Always Peel Boiled Eggs for Hamsters?

You will be surprised to know that you don’t always need to peel the boiled egg for hamsters. They can eat eggshells. They contain a great amount of calcium that can be good for the hamster.

However, please note that you shouldn’t give them eggshells more than once every few months. To stay on the safe side, you might want to grind the shells into a powder and add them to the food you are giving your hamster. Wash the eggshells properly before grinding, though.

If your hamster tends to have a balanced diet, you might not even need to supplement them with eggshells for extra calcium.

We recommend asking your veterinarian before you supplement their diet with eggshells. Tell them if you think the hamster’s diet doesn’t have enough calcium, and follow their instructions.

Can My Hamster Have Egg-Fried Rice?

We don’t recommend giving your hamster any egg-fried rice since it isn’t safe for them. The oil and rice can lead to medical issues like bloating, obesity, and diarrhea, so never give it to your hamster.

Can My Hamster Have Egg Noodles?

It might be okay for the hamster to nibble on an unflavored egg noodle once in a few months since noodles aren’t exactly toxic for the hamster.

However, there is no real benefit to consuming them, so there is no actual need to feed them. They are known for their frail digestive systems, so avoid feeding them anything your veterinarian hasn’t enthusiastically approved of.

What Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Can I Give to Hamsters?

Hamsters love fresh vegetables and fruits, but you need to ensure that anything you give is safe for them.

Here are some that are great for hamsters:

  • Apple
  • Broccoli
  • Carrot
  • Parsley
  • Pear
  • Turnip

Since hamsters tend to hoard food, note that they eat everything entirely and take away any hidden food. Fresh food can rot if they hide it away, making them ill. So, give your hamster small pieces so that they eat everything.

Some vegetables and fruits are bad for them and can even be fatal. Here are some items that you should keep away from hamsters:

  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Chives
  • Eggplant
  • Lettuce
  • Raw potatoes
  • Lemons
  • Leeks
  • Avocados
  • Cherry stones
  • Peach stones
  • Apple pips
  • Oranges

Stick to pellets and commercial food since too much fresh food might cause their stomachs to upset. Giving a slice of an apple (without pips) or a small broccoli floret once a day will be enough.

Can I Give Sweets to My Hamster?

Hamsters should never be given sweets, particularly any sticky sweets like toffee, fudge, or chocolate. These candies and sweets can result in the hamster becoming fat and clogging the cheek pouches. The sweets might even cause dental problems in the long run.

How Often Should I Change My Hamster’s Water?

Hamsters need to have fresh water daily. So, make sure you get in the habit of changing their water every day.

Hamsters are small animals that can do well in arid climates too. They often get their daily intake of liquid from watery fruits and vegetables like cucumbers. But, they do prefer fresh water, so keep changing it regularly.

Can Pregnant Hamsters Have Eggs?

If you have a dwarf hamster expecting a litter of babies, then a hard-boiled egg can be quite nutritionally beneficial for them. Some pieces of eggs twice a week can give them the additional protein they need.

Why Give Eggs to Hamsters?

Why Should You Feed Your Hamster Eggs?

There is an explanation for why humans choose to eat so many eggs for breakfast. We know that they are a good source of protein and include all the necessary amino acids for a healthy, robust body. The same is true for hamsters; it will aid in maintaining their robust bodies. Amino acid is a very crucial component of animal bodies.

Everything contains amino acids, including the skin, heart, hair, and toes. Yes, they can generate some of the essential amino acids on their own, but others are obtained solely from a healthy diet.

The bodies of hamsters need a high-protein diet. They may have various health issues if they don’t get enough. For instance, they will lose their delicate fur and develop bald patches, and their wounds will heal slowly.

Additionally, because of their persistent fatigue, their level of activity will decline with time.

Studies show that larger hamsters are especially susceptible to protein deficiencies. Therefore, it would be best to take them to the doctor immediately if you sense anything isn’t right. The vet will be able to inspect them much better.

Additionally, they contain a lot of vitamin D, which will assist in improving the bone health of your hamster.

In Conclusion

Hamsters have become the most popular pet in Georgia, so it’s no wonder that there are so many responsible pet owners wondering if hamsters can eat hard-boiled eggs. Now, you know everything about the hamster diet.

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