There are numerous diet suggestions out there for hamsters. You have them in books, pet magazines, on the radio, on the TV, and on the internet.
You might have surfed the net several times, anxious to find food supplements, fruits, and vegetables that could be a great treat for your hamster.
Maybe you have heard that hamsters eat peppers and you picked your phone, opened Google, and typed…
Can hamsters eat peppers? Yes, you can give your hamsters peppers. Peppers are very nutritious with vitamins A and C, minerals like potassium, folic acid, and fiber. They are also low in calories. As such, they are good for hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Peppers?
Yes, you can feed your hamsters with pepper. The nature of their digestive system makes it harmless to give them peppers.
But the advice is to give them peppers in small quantities so that you don’t cause them a lot of health issues that will demand veterinarian care.
What Food Can Hamsters Eat?
Hamsters are not so picky with foods, but they don’t enjoy eating leftovers. It is recommended for balanced nutrition to feed hamsters with vegetables, fruits, and a small number of carbohydrates.
They have a voracious appetite on a high variety of diet. It is essential to supplement regular food with small fresh fruits and vegetables to make feeding exciting for your hamsters while offering balanced nutrition.
However, fresh fruits mustn’t exceed 20% of the total diet as such a rapid change could make your hamster’s lose appetite for their daily nutritional foods.
The reason has been that fruits and vegetables are not a complete diet but basically serve as great supplementary foods for hamsters.
The more reason you need to introduce pepper in your hamster diet as an occasional treat.
The question is…
Are Peppers Good For Hamsters?
Foods that are good for humans are also good for animals.
Perhaps you have not come across pepper on the list, and you have wondered if hamsters can also eat peppers.
Peppers are very nutritional and seasonal vegetables every household cannot afford to lack in their kitchen.
It doesn’t matter the species, size, or color. Green peppers are harvested earlier, before they have a chance to change into yellow, orange, and then red.
Compared to green bell peppers, the red ones have almost 11 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C, the more reason it’s preferred among other species.
That said, peppers are low in calories and exceptionally rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet for hamsters.
Health Benefits of Bell Peppers to Hamsters
Bell peppers are packed with antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system, prevent cell mutations that generate cancer, and fight free radicals that decrease the life quality for aging hamsters.
Red bell peppers, in particular, are one of the best sources of Vitamin C you will find in any vegetable.
Vitamin C helps to protect the body against cell and tissue damage as well as aiding the body to better absorb iron.
It also helps to produce collagen, which leads to more healthy skin and bones for your hamster and aids with wound healing if your hamster were to have an accident.
Bell or red peppers contain a pigment called lycopene, which is commonly referred to as a cancer preventative in humans.
Hamsters may get some cancer-preventing abilities in their systems from the consumption of bell peppers.
Bell pepper is rich in fiber which is essential for healthy digestion. It has two categories: soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber helps to control the blood sugar level of the body and aids in ridding the body of fatty substances such as cholesterol.
Insoluble fiber helps to keep the digestive system moving, it will add weight but also softens your hamster’s stools which in turn will help the digestive system to work effectively.
What Species of Pepper Can I Feed My Hamsters?
Though you can feed your hamsters with pepper, you must take care not to feed them with those that can upset them.
As such, spicy, chilly, or hot peppers are not good for their health. You can feed them with red sweet peppers, also called bell peppers. But, as I have said before, don’t feed them a great deal of it.
Can Hamsters Have Yellow & Green Peppers?
You can also feed your hamsters with yellow and green peppers. Green peppers probably have the least taste, but they can taste a little hot on the tongue.
So a very small piece of it is ok for your hamsters.
Your hamsters could be running into serious health hazards if you fed them with pepper in huge quantities. It could make them choked.
What Do Hamsters Usually Eat in The Wild?
In the wild, hamsters roam and forage for food without restraint. They eat anything that can serve them as food, everything that comes their way.
Because of the adaptability nature of animals, the digestive systems of hamsters in the wild slowly gets used to the situation on the ground, making those foods to be efficiently absorbed.
What Do Hamsters Like to Eat The Most?
In the wild, hamsters eat a diet that is basically made up of nuts, grains, seeds, fruits, cracked corns, vegetables, insects, lizards, and frogs.
They also eat a mixture of protein, fibers, and fats and get vitamins and minerals from small amounts of wild fruits and grasses.
How Many Peppers Can I Give My Hamsters?
Because they are omnivores and not herbivores, it is risky to make peppers a staple food in their diet. As such serve them pepper once a week.
What Food Makes up a Balanced Diet For Hamsters?
They are better given a healthy mix of grains and nuts. You should also serve them fruit and vegetables occasionally.
Are Hot Peppers Dangerous to Hamsters?
Bell peppers are the sweetest of the species and have the biggest intake of beta-carotene (an antioxidant), vitamin A (which strengthens the coat and teeth of your hammy), and Vitamin C, which assists the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues.
Hot peppers have some health benefits for men.
At least, the capsaicin that gives the species of pepper called jalapenos its hot sensation. Also, improves the healthiness of the human heart, and as well as reduce the risk of ulcer in our stomachs.
However, hamsters are different from humans. Their dietary requirements are not the same as ours.
Since hamsters have a bit more picky digestive system, hot peppers are not good for them. They are too hot for proper digestion in hamsters.
What Are The Risks of Hamsters Eating a Peach?
The following are some health issues hamsters could run into if they are continuously fed with hot pepper:
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Bladder issue
- Kidney failure
- Death
Can All Species Of Hamsters Eat Peppers?
Although you have now known that hamsters can eat a recommended degree of peppers, you may still want to know if all the species of hamsters can eat pepper.
Actually, it’s important to know. The good news for you is that dwarf hamsters eat bell pepper.
But it’s used is recommended for only half a teaspoon, twice a week.
Syrian hamsters can also eat bell pepper, but like the dwarf hamsters, should be served bell pepper one teaspoon at a maximum of three times a week.
How Can I Serve Peppers To My Hamsters?
We have seen that bell, green and yellow peppers are healthy for hamsters.
But that doesn’t mean there are no precautions to be taken while serving peppers to your hamsters.
Bell peppers are great but they are a bit high in water and sugar. As such, they are not 100% healthy for hamsters.
If served appropriately to hamsters, they can be a great addition to the pets’ diet.
While you should avoid spicy peppers entirely from the diet, you should serve your hamsters with small amounts of pepper.
It’s equally recommended that you serve peppers to your hamsters two to three times a week.
Instead of making bell peppers your hamster’s choice diet, serve it more with a high-quality pellet or mixed food.
It contains most of the nutrients it needs to remain healthy and a happy companion of yours and your household. Peppers can now come only as treats.
Alternatives Fruits to Peppers For Hamsters
After reading through this article and you feel like pepper is not the thing for your hamster, you may root for some other diets you can serve your pet instead.
There are a number of them. Below are some:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Cucumbers
- Celer
- Bok choy
- Sweet potatoes apples
- Cherries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Peaches
- Mango
- Cantaloupe
- Tomatoes
- Grapes
- Carrots
- Apple seeds and skins
- Grape seeds
- Fruit pits
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Garlic
- Onions
- Eggplant
- Chocolate (or any other sugary sweet)
Conclusion
Peppers are healthy food supplements your hamsters can be thankful for if properly served.
Bell and green peppers are more preferable, as chilly ones can pose many health challenges to your pet.
When serving your hamsters with bell pepper, ensure a great amount of it is not served. Also, ensure it is done 2-3 times a week.
