When giving your hamster a treat you might think of feeding them cheese or nuts. But did you know that hamsters can eat broccoli too? And broccoli is actually one of the best treats to give to your hamster?
When giving your hamster treats to munch on it is best to give them treats that are similar to what they would eat if they were in their natural habitat. Veggies, including broccoli, would be among those foods that would be similar to food available in the wild for hamsters.
It is important to give your hamsters a variety of vegetables to help them get nutritious treats in addition to their daily hamster food.
Broccoli offers a good amount of fiber, but it also has a decent amount of protein for little hamsters.
Broccoli also has the following vitamins and minerals (source via USDA):
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Zinc
While some of these vitamins and minerals might be in very small amounts when it comes to broccoli, remember that hamsters are very small compared to humans so a little bit will go much further for them.
Is Broccoli Good For Hamsters?
Yes broccoli is good for hamsters. Broccoli is low in sugar and has a good amount of vitamins and minerals.
And always keep broccoli as a treat, broccoli should not be a normal full time diet for a hamster.
How Much Broccoli Can A Hamster Eat?
As with any treats that you give your hamster, you will want to test a very small amount and wait a few days to make sure they don’t have any adverse digestive issues with their new treat.
Once you establish that your hamster tolerates eating broccoli well they can eat a one inch long broccoli floret about 2 to 3 times a week.
One thing to remember when feeding your hamster broccoli is to feed it on days that they don’t get other veggie treats. Too many vegetables at once can give hamsters gas. And we all know too much of that can be painful.
Related Reading:
- Can Hamsters Eat Chestnuts?
- Can Hamsters Eat Spinach?
- Can Hamsters Eat Cheese?
- Can Hamsters Eat Carrots?
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Broccoli To Hamsters
Yes, hamsters can eat broccoli leaves. These are very nutritious too and hamsters do like them. Like all vegetables though only give a small amount (one to two small leaves).
Hamsters can eat both raw and cooked broccoli. If you do cook the broccoli for your hamster, of course first make sure it’s cooled down before giving it to them, but also steamed broccoli is best.
Yes hamsters can eat broccoli stems. These are good for them to much on because they can help with their teeth since broccoli stems are a harder part of the vegetable. Only give your hamster a small section of the stem though, too much can cause stomach upset.