Can Hamsters Eat Apples with Skin? [7 Reasons]

Hamsters are fun furry pets that many children around America love to play with! If you own a hamster in Georgia, you may wonder about its diet.

We all know how delicate hamsters can be, so it is great that you are taking the time to learn more about your pet’s diet.

Hamsters love apples! But, there are some things you should know before giving some to your hamster.

Table of Contents

Can Hamsters Eat Apples with Skin?

Hamsters can consume apple peels without problems, although huge chunks may be challenging for them to chew apart, which increases the risk of choking. Thus, a quarter of the apple with the skin on it may be problematic.

It is a smart option to completely strip the skin from an apple or chop an unpeeled apple into tiny, dice-sized bits before giving any to a hamster to reduce the possibility of any hazard.

If you want to give the hamster apples with the peel on, thoroughly wash the fruit in clean water to eliminate as many toxins and pesticides as possible. These poisons may accumulate fast in the body of a little hamster and cause significant health problems. Picking organic apples is the best choice.

Also read: How Long Do Robo Hamsters Live?

Should I Take Out the Apple Seeds for My Hamster?

Hamster owners must be mindful of a few issues, even though apples are a fantastic food choice for hamsters. A hamster shouldn’t ever be given an apple slice that still contains a seed since it may easily choke on it.

Before feeding any portion of an apple to a hamster, seeds must always be thoroughly inspected and eliminated.

The amygdalin substance, which is also present in seeds from other fruits and vegetables, including peaches, cherries, and apricots, is present in apple seeds. If a seed is still intact, this substance, created as a natural protection for the seed, is safe.

Amygdalin, which transforms into hydrogen cyanide when seeds are eaten and ingested, is lethal if taken in high quantities. The oxygen levels in the body’s cells are reduced by hydrogen cyanide, which may also be lethal in excessive doses.

Although the amount of cyanide in the apple seeds is not nearly enough to kill humans, it may be lethal to small animals like hamsters if taken in large quantities. It is advised to refrain from giving the hamsters these seeds. It is also why you should always check an apple slice before giving it to a hamster.

What Health Advantages Do Apples Have for Hamsters?

The first thing to know is that an apple is loaded with vitamin C, which is crucial for hamsters since it aids normal healing and reduces the likelihood of the animals getting scurvy. The hamster’s skin and immune system are strengthened by vitamin C.

Apples, like most vegetables and fruits, are a fantastic antioxidant source that can improve the hamster’s resistance to sickness and illness. According to studies, apples provide nutrients that lower the incidence of cancer. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds are found in apples.

Apples also include fiber, which is crucial for a hamster’s digestive tract. Apples are a calorie-efficient healthy food choice for hamsters that won’t cause issues like diabetes or weight gain. The fact that hamsters appear to like the feel and taste of red and green apples is a bonus.

Apples provide several health advantages for hamsters, including decreasing their risk of diabetes, supporting bone, stomach, and heart health, avoiding sickness, and boosting their digestive and immune systems.

Why Can’t We Give Hamsters Too Many Apples?

When hamsters consume excessive amounts of apples, they risk developing bloating, diarrhea, diabetes, constipation, obesity, sugar addiction, and toxicity.

There are problems associated with giving the hamster too many apples, even though apples have numerous positive health effects for hamsters.

If hamsters are overfed a modest quantity of sugar, it may lead to diabetes and obesity. These beneficial snacks cannot be a regular part of the hamster’s diet.

Commercial pellets and fresh water should make up the majority of their food. It is advised to give it little apple slices or pieces a few times each week to prevent the hamster from hoarding apples. Apples tend to decay and might be dangerous to hamsters if hoarded.

Since the cyanide in apple seeds prevents oxygen from reaching the body, it might die if your hamster accidentally takes one. Apple fiber may potentially cause gastrointestinal distress in the animal.

Another problem that may develop if a hamster is given too many meals with lots of sugar is sugar addiction.

Click here: Can Hamsters Eat Strawberries?

How Much of an Apple Can You Feed Your Hamster?

You should not give fruits or vegetables to newborn hamsters. The apple slices should be between 1 and 2.5 inches (2.5 and 6.3 cm) for an adult hamster. Give apples and monitor for any symptoms in the pet, such as swelling, just as you would with any other fruit.

You may give more little apple slices twice a week after your pet is adjusted to this diet. The finest apple to use is organic and free of pesticides, but you should still wash the fruit beforehand.

Before slicing, you may wash the store-bought apple with baking soda. The apple may then be cut into manageable-sized square pieces for your hamster to eat. Before slicing, remove the seeds.

You may give your hamster these slices twice a week, but you must keep an eye out for any reactions from your pet. Don’t give a whole apple to your pet. The same procedures must be followed while feeding green apples to the hamster as you would with any other type.

Check for disease symptoms if the hamster accidentally consumes too many apple slices. Please give it a lot of water with a small amount of salt. This is essential when the hamster overeats so that extra fluid may be eliminated as pee and any additional consequences of dehydration can be avoided.

What Other Fruits Can Hamsters Eat?

Don’t fret if the hamster doesn’t appear eager to eat apples. Hamsters differ from one another, and each has its preferences. Check to see if they would be more inclined to eat any fruits on the list below rather than attempting to push this specific fruit into their diet.

Blueberries
Strawberries
Pears
Bananas
Grapes
Watermelon

How to Feed Your Hamster Apples?

Let’s go through the whole procedure of giving an apple to our furry friends step by step. Several crucial steps, like cleaning the skin and removing the seeds, were covered previously.

If the apples are organic, rinse the peel under water. If it is non-organic, remove the skin completely or cleanse it with baking soda.
Use your preferred shape or tiny squares to slice the fruit.
Ensure that the seeds are taken out.
Share a bit of the fruit with your pet.
Take pleasure in seeing them eat it!

You can also make a shake. Blend an apple, a banana, Greek yogurt, and oats to create a delightful shake for your pet, and then serve it in a little dish or cup.

The recipe is customizable and may be kept in the refrigerator for a few days between uses in an airtight jar. This smoothie may also be a hit with humans, making breakfast time enjoyable for people who prefer waking up with the hamsters.

You can also make some truffles. Hamsters like nut, fruit, and grain truffles just as much as humans do chocolate truffles. To make hamster truffles, combine a date, a quarter of an apple, and a spoonful of almonds, oats, seeds, or other nuts in a food processor.

Once the ingredients are coarsely crushed, remove small portions of the mixture from the food processor with your hands and shape them into little truffle balls. Hamsters love to consume leftovers that have been frozen until they are ready to be used.

You can also give them grated apples. When you’re ready to offer an apple to the hamster, slice it up for a quick yet intriguing meal. Grate a tiny amount of apple, then serve it to the hamster at mealtime either on its own or combined with commercial food.

Also check: Can Teddy Bear Hamsters Live Together?

What Do I Need to Know About Feeding My Hamster?

Offer daily access to clean water. The water bottle must be periodically examined for leaks or dirt to prevent water contamination. Also, monitoring the hamster’s water intake is recommended since a decrease in water consumption may indicate that you should take your pet to the doctor.
Do not overfeed veggies to prevent diarrhea.
Remove feed residues to prevent decay, particularly fresh vegetables, fruits, and powdered food, which tend to produce bacteria and mold. Overindulging in sweet snacks and fruits is also prohibited since it might make the pet obese.
When giving the hamster an unfamiliar kind of food, start with a small quantity and watch for a week to see if there is any adverse response to the diet. The diet is safe for the hamster to eat if there is no adverse response. The pet may get anxious if their nutrition is suddenly changed.

In Conclusion

So, can hamsters eat apples with skin? The answer is more technical than you realized, right? Well, they can! But be careful about pesticides on the skin.

For more information, it is always advisable to ask your vet before adding anything to the diet of your hamster.