Having pet hamsters often means that as an owner you want to do special things for them such as giving them a yummy treat. Many times giving treats to your hamster can be a great thing, giving them some extra nutrients. And at other times treats can be harmful. So it is important to know if your hamster is able to have a certain treat. Bananas are one of these treats that people wonder if they can feed to their hamsters. Can hamsters eat bananas? The short answer is yes, hamsters can eat bananas as long as it is in moderation. Read on below to find out the details about giving bananas to your hamster as a treat.
Are Bananas Good for Hamsters?
Bananas can provide some great nutritional content to hamsters, but they do have a lot of sugar.
The sugar content of bananas is something to be cautious of especially if you have an overweight hamster or one that is prone to getting diabetes, such as a Dwarf Hamster. Moderation is the key to giving bananas to your hamster.
Bananas can have some beneficial vitamins and minerals for your hamster. According to the USDA, bananas have Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.
If you are worried about any issues that could arise from feeding your hamster any type of treat always check with your vet.
Do Hamsters Like Bananas?
For most hamsters, yes they do like bananas. But just like humans, hamsters have their own individual tastes. You might find that your hamster does not like bananas and won’t touch them when offered. If this is the case there are still plenty of other options for hamster treats to try out, such as basil, pecans, or cheese.
Can Hamsters Have Banana Peels?
Are banana peels safe for hamsters? While it is safe in theory to give a hamster some of the peel from a banana, in today’s commercially grown food world the peels can have a lot of toxins on them. This is even true with organic bananas. Even though organic farmers don’t use the harshest chemicals they still have to use natural toxins to keep insects and pests off their crops. Due to this, it is best to always peel the banana before giving any to your hamster.
Now if it is a banana that you have grown yourself or you are 100% sure that nothing harmful was used on the outside of the banana then you can give some very small pieces of the peel to your hamster.
Can Hamsters Have Banana Chips?
Yes, you can use banana chips as a treat. However, make sure to check the ingredients first. Only feed banana chips to your hamster that are only dehydrated bananas with nothing extra.
Many banana chips are not just bananas. They have added oils and sugars to make them tastier for humans. If any extra ingredients are on the banana chip then do not feed that to your hamster.
Can Syrian Hamsters Eat Bananas?
Yes, Syrian hamsters can eat bananas.
Always make sure that you have peeled the banana before you give it to your hamster.
How Much Banana Can a Syrian Hamster Eat?
You should limit the amount of banana your Syrian hamster gets to 1 teaspoon once a week. Even though Syrian hamsters are not as prone to diabetes as Dwarf hamsters, it doesn’t mean that sugary fruits can be given in abundance. Too much of these treats can still lead to weight issues and health problems.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Bananas?
Yes, Dwarf hamsters can be given bananas as a treat. They will need smaller amounts than what larger hamsters such as Syrians are given to help avoid weight issues and diabetes down the road.
How Much Banana Can a Dwarf Hamster Eat?
Dwarf hamsters should only get 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon of banana once a week.
Dwarf hamsters are more prone to getting health issues such as diabetes. When giving your dwarf hamster banana treats, always make sure you are giving just a small amount.
Are There Risks Feeding Bananas to Hamsters?
Just like all hamster treats there are some things you need to look out for when giving banana pieces to your hamsters.
Too much of a good thing can always have consequences. Too much banana can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Also, giving banana pieces too often to your hamster can cause the same issues. Limit these kinds of treats to once a week.
The sugar content of bananas should also be considered. Bananas are a high sugar fruit and getting too much or too often can lead to weight issues or other health issues. Only give bananas as a treat once per week.
Never let old food or treats sit in your hamster’s cage too long. If after 12 to 24 hours your hamster hasn’t eaten its banana pieces, remove them from the cage.
Always cut banana pieces up for your hamster. This not only helps out your hamster when trying to eat bananas, but it can also aid you in properly measuring out how much you are giving to your hamster.
If you notice any stomach upset after giving your hamster banana it is best to search for alternative treats that won’t cause them GI distress.
If you use dried banana chips, always make sure the only ingredient is banana and it doesn’t have added oils or sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Bananas to Hamsters
No, you should not give bananas to baby hamsters or juvenile hamsters. Even though bananas are full of healthy nutrients, they still have sugar that would be high for a baby hamster and high amounts of electrolytes that can lead to imbalances for such young hamsters.
No you should not give a fully frozen banana to your hamster. If using frozen bananas, always make sure to thaw them first before giving them to your hamster.