Can Hamsters Eat Cabbage?

Can Hamsters Eat Cabbage? Is It Safe?

Hammies are adorable pets but they can be a lot of work. Not only do you have to feed them and water them but you may also have to clean their cage and let them exercise if they get fat. But what about letting them eat? What kind of food is safe for our little furry friends?

Is cabbage good or bad for hamsters? You might be wondering…

But not any longer! In this article, you will learn whether or not Hamsters can eat cabbage. You will also get more information you’re likely to find helpful when it comes to feeding hamster cabbage.

Let’s get the ball rolling…

The answer is yes! Hamsters can eat cabbage. In fact, it may turn out one of your hamster’s favorite treats. Cabbage is a highly recommended food for your hamster. Whether you have Syrian, Winter White, Campbells, Robo, or Chinese hamsters, they can all benefit from this treat!

Should Hamsters Eat Cabbage?

There is a difference between whether hamsters “can” eat cabbage and “should” eat cabbage.

When we say hamsters “can” eat cabbage, we mean that a hamster will not die if they eat cabbage.

On the other side, when we say hamsters “should” eat cabbage, we mean that a hamster would benefit from eating cabbage and that it would cause no harm to them whatsoever.

Of course, hamsters can eat cabbage! Most of them love it and it’s highly recommended for them. However, should they?

That’s where we are headed. Keep reading…

This delicious vegetable may be a great way for the hamster to get some beneficial nutrients. It packs lots of wonderful nutrients for these little furry friends. Hence, if your hamster is okay with it, it should play a good role in your hamster diet. 

However, always remember that when talking about hamsters, every food, whether common food or snacks should be in moderation. Excess cabbage to hamsters can cause stomach problems.

And so, should they? Well, Yes. However, as already stated, if your hamster loves it and you’re planning to offer it as a treat, keep in mind that cabbage remains safe for hamsters only when you know the correct feeding size.

Excessive amounts of cabbage can cause stomach problems such as bloating and may lead to diarrhea or constipation. If this happens, reduce the quantity of cabbage you give your hamster immediately. It’s also a wise thing to consult a veterinarian if the situation doesn’t improve.

Nutritional Value of Cabbage

Nutritional Value of Cabbage

We said that you should always give cabbage to your hamster because it contains essential nutrients and won’t cause any harm whatsoever when taken in moderation.

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And now to the nutritional value…

Cabbage is low in calories but an excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, K, B6, and other nutrients such as calcium and magnesium which provide good benefits to hamsters. The fiber content makes it a great way for them to stay hydrated and to keep their digestive system healthy.

In addition, cabbage contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that offer benefits in fighting certain diseases and protecting the cells from damage.

So, yes…

Cabbage is very good for hamsters! And it’s so easy to offer them.

Health Benefits of Cabbage for Hamsters

While it may not a very rich source of nutrients like some of the other vegetables and fruits, there are plenty of health benefits to cabbage.

Your pet health will benefit from a diet rich in antioxidants due to their constant exposure to UVB rays from the sun. It’s nice for them to have some protection against free radicals that can cause oxidative stress on their cells and tissue by eating more veggies like cabbage.

As mentioned earlier, cabbage helps hamsters stay hydrated. Many veggies are great for this purpose but cabbage remains one of the best due to its high water content (about 92% by weight).

In addition, since cabbage contains dietary fiber, it’s great for the hamster’s digestive system to stay healthy.

Vitamins C and K are essential for good health. Lack of Vitamin C in the body can cause lethargy, bone weakness, gum disease, and anemia. On the other hand, Vitamin K deficiency causes excessive bleeding in the case of an injury. Vitamin K also plays a pivotal role in promoting good reproductive health in hamsters. 

Hence, the high levels of vitamins C and K in the cabbage ensure that your hamster is protected from infection, disease, and even more.

Finally, cabbage contains many anti-inflammatory agents that help your hamster’s body deal with inflammation.

All in all, cabbage is a great treat for hamsters! Not only does it taste good (for them), but it offers health benefits as well. The only catch is to make sure they don’t take too much of it or if their stomach gets upset after eating cabbage.

And now…

How Much Cabbage Can A Hamster Eat?

Cabbage can be good or bad for your hamster pet depending on how much they eat.

Moderate consumption of cabbage can benefit your hamster. While your hamster may never have a problem with eating cabbage, it’s good to keep in mind that too much of anything can be harmful.

The best way to find out is to start with a very small amount and see how your hamster reacts to it. There are no negative side effects of cabbage for hamsters but too much may cause stomach problems due to the high amount of fiber in it.

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So, stick to a very small serving if your hamster is new to it and offer more once you notice that they are adjusting well to their new diet.

The amount you can give to your pet will depend on the hamster breed. Larger breeds, for instance, may need a larger amount compared to their much smaller cousins.

How much cabbage can I give a Syrian hamster?

The Syrian hamster can eat about one teaspoon of cabbage per day. It may sound small, but that’s the recommended amount for their daily diet. In fact, since Syrian Hamsters are the largest of all breeds, that’s the largest amount of cabbage you can offer to them.

How much cabbage can I give a Robo hamster?

Robo hamsters are much smaller than their Syrian cousins but they can still eat around one teaspoon of cabbage per day. If you want to feed your Robo Hamster more, then at least divide their daily portion into three or four servings to avoid negative side effects.

How much cabbage can I give a Dwarf hamster?

Although they are the smallest, Dwarf hamsters carry the biggest risk of getting stomach upset from eating cabbage. That’s why it’s advisable to give Dwarf hamsters only half a teaspoon of cabbage per day or less.

And remember…

You can give hamsters cabbage every day. It’s very unlikely that it will affect them when you stick to the recommended amounts. However, you shouldn’t give them this treat every day. Instead, consider alternating it with other veggies and fruits so they won’t be getting tired of eating the same food all the time.

Can hamsters eat all parts of the cabbage?

The fact that cabbage is one of the veggies hamsters like most doesn’t mean they can eat all parts of it. 

Cabbage, like most other veggies, has some parts that are more nutritious than others. For example, leafy green cabbage contains good nutrients while the core part is not as rich in vitamins and minerals.

Again, the core is quite hard for hamsters to chew so it’s best not to include it in their diet.

So yes, hamsters can eat the leafy greens but they shouldn’t eat the cabbage stem, well unless you want to make them work really hard on it without reaping nutrients worth the effort they put into it.

Correct Way To Prepare Cabbage For My Hamsters!

Correct Way To Prepare Cabbage For My Hamsters!

Hamsters have a very delicate digestive system. When I say delicate, I mean VERY delicate. At times it’s not a matter of what food works fine for them but also how you prepare it.

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For example, cabbage can be a great treat for them but if you don’t use the right procedure, it may attract disasters. Preparing hamster food is more like preparing guinea pig food. 

So what is the correct way of doing it?

Well, here we go…

Step #1: Getting an organic cabbage is the starting point:

As with any other food, avoid getting non-organic veggies for your hamsters. The goal is to keep your pet safe from the side effects of pesticides and other farming chemicals. It not only needs to be organic but also a fresh cabbage. 

Step #2: Cleaning the cabbage:

Make sure to wash it thoroughly with fresh water before removing the outer cabbage leaves. Unwashed cabbage can attract several health issues in hamsters. After that, cut off any parts that are mushy, moldy, or discolored, and pick one leaf of cabbage from the remaining part.

Step #3 Cutting the cabbage into smaller pieces:

Hamsters have tiny mouths. They can’t handle big chunks of food so cut apart your cabbage into very tiny pieces that are easier for them to eat.

And lastly…

Step #4 Offer one of the tiny pieces to your hamster:

Check to see how they react to it so that you know whether they are liking it or not. If your pet seems to enjoy it, then feed them a few more pieces. But if they seem to hate the taste, stop immediately and wait for a few days before trying again.

And please…

The last thing you want is for your hamster to have an upset stomach so always keep this in mind when feeding them food that’s not their usual fare. Also, always remember to remove any uneaten food as it may go bad after some time and cause stomach troubles when eaten.

Final Verdict:

Can hamsters eat cabbage? Yes, Dwarf Hamsters, Robo Hamsters, and Syrian hamsters can eat cabbage. Just make sure to cut it into small pieces since their mouths are very tiny. They will also enjoy the leafy greens of the cabbage but avoid giving them any stem parts because those are hard for them to chew or digest. Again, keep in mind to limit your hamster’s intake of this food so you can avoid any problems with their digestive systems.

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