If you have a little furry hamster for a pet you might start to wonder if you can give them human foods for treats. One of those foods might be spinach. But can hamsters eat spinach?
The answer is yes, hamsters can eat spinach. In fact, many hamsters absolutely love spinach as a tasty treat.
But as with all things, make sure that it is in moderation. Hamsters are very small animals, so a little food goes a long way. If you overdo the amount of spinach this can lead to an upset stomach for your hamster resulting in diarrhea.
Also if it is the first time feeding spinach to your hamster, start slow. Introducing new foods to hamsters should always have a little test, in the beginning, to make sure they don’t have any negative reactions. Just like humans, one hamster can have food sensitivities that other hamsters don’t have. To test out spinach, give a little bit to your hamster, then wait about 3 to 5 days to make sure they don’t have any problems as a result of the spinach they ate.
When feeding spinach to your hamster, be sure to always wash the spinach well.
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- Can Hamsters Eat Almonds?
- Can Hamsters Eat Broccoli?
Nutritional Benefits of Spinach for Hamsters
Just like spinach is able to provide many benefits when humans eat it, hamsters can gain some benefits from eating spinach.
Spinach contains the following beneficial vitamins and minerals (source):
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Zinc
Frequently Asked Questions About Hamsters Eating Spinach
Yes, dwarf hamsters can eat spinach.
After you are sure that your hamster didn’t have an adverse reaction it is ok to give them a leaf or two a couple of times a week. (Dwarf hamsters should only get a leaf and no more since they are smaller). Make sure to remove any that they don’t eat or pieces they leave behind. Food left to spoil can make your hamster sick. You can also chop up the spinach leaves for your hamster to make it easier for them to pick up.