Can Hamsters Eat Cantaloupe? Health Benefits + Feeding Tips

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Can hamsters eat cantaloupe? Yes, hamsters can eat cantaloupe, but only in moderation. Since our furry friends are super small, it’s always best to proceed cautiously regarding their diet.

Read on for a more detailed guide on what I learned on cantaloupe feeding tips.

Key Takeaways

  • Cantaloupe is safe for hamsters to eat
  • The fruit should be fed in moderation as it can lead to stomach upsets 
  • Do not feed cantaloupe skin to hamsters, as it can be a choking hazard.

CHECK: The Best Natural Hamster Food

Is It Safe For Hamsters To Eat Cantaloupe?

Yes, cantaloupe is safe for your hamster as an occasional treat. 

Cantaloupe doesn’t contain any toxins, so hamsters are safe to eat. However, due to their high content of sugar and water, it could be harmful to them. For that reason, you should feed cantaloupe to the hamsters in moderation.

cantaloupe on table but can hamsters eat cantaloupe

Overfeeding on cantaloupe can have effects such as diarrhea and stomach upsets. This can also predispose your pet hamsters to obesity and diabetes.

The diet for wild hamsters primarily consists of nuts and grains, so their digestive system cannot support the high water content in the cantaloupe diet. [1] Therefore this triggers watery stool when consumed excessively.

Also, the skin and seeds of the cantaloupe pose a choking hazard to them. The skin is too harsh, and the sources are too big. These should be discarded before giving the cantaloupe to your hamsters.

Considering these risks, you might wonder why feed your hammy this fruit.

6 Health Benefits of Cantaloupe for Hamsters

The orange-fleshed melon is a highly nutritious fruit containing many vitamins and minerals. 

Cantaloupe is packed with nutrition, especially protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. [2] All of these of which the hamsters can benefit from.

Below are some of the health benefits the hamsters can benefit from eating cantaloupe:

1. Improves Digestion

Cantaloupe has a lot of fiber, which helps with overall digestive health. Feeding hamsters food high in fiber, like coconut, will help keep their digestive system healthy.

A good amount of fiber intake will promote regular bowel movement, which will help move food through the digestive tract smoothly. Also, fiber will prevent constipation in hamsters.

2. Helps Regulate Blood Pressure

Cantaloupe is a good source of potassium. This mineral helps balance sodium levels in the body and regulate blood pressure.

Also, potassium help promote the health of the heart and muscles.

3. Help Keeps Hamsters Hydrated

Cantaloupe has a high content of water. This will help keep the hamsters hydrated, especially during the summer months when it’s hot.

4. Scurvy Prevention

Cantaloupe is packed with Vitamin C, which helps prevent scurvy in hamsters

5. Contains Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for the proper functioning of your hamster’s eyesight. It is responsible for rhodopsin activation. Therefore making it an excellent source for improving your hamster’s eye health.

Vitamin A also aids in improving your pet’s immune system.

6. Contains Vitamin B6

Cantaloupe is packed with vitamin B6, which is crucial for the proper functioning of your hamster’s organs. 

Vitamin B6 deficiency leads to loss of appetite, slow growth rate, stunted growth, muscular lethargy, and delayed sexual maturation.

How To Feed Cantaloupe To Hamsters?

Hamsters love cantaloupe because it is sweet, juicy, and full of nutrients. However, it is essential to know how to feed cantaloupe to hamsters to keep them healthy and happy.

To feed them cantaloupe, you’ll need to prepare it first. Follow the simple instructions below to feed cantaloupe to your hamsters:

  • Make sure the cantaloupe is ripe first.
  • Cut the fruit in halves with a sharp knife.
  • Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds from the cantaloupe and throw them away.
  • With a knife, slice the cantaloupe into smaller pieces.
  • Peel the skin of the cantaloupe with a knife.
  • Give the flesh of the cantaloupe to your hamster for them to enjoy.

 Here are some more tips on how to feed this healthy treat.

Can Hamsters Eat Cantaloupe Skin?

Hamsters can eat cantaloupe skin, but it’s not recommended that you feed them. The skin is too tough, making it hard for the hamsters to chew and digest.

Also, it could cause them to choke on it.

It’s also vital that you wash the skin thoroughly under clean running water. The skin harbors pesticides which can be detrimental to your pet.

Therefore, it’s best to peel the skin of the cantaloupe before feeding them to your hamsters.

Can Hamsters Eat Cantaloupe Seeds?

The seeds of the cantaloupe should not be fed to hamsters.

If ingested, they can be very harmful to the hamsters and can lead to death if excessively ingested.

The seeds have slippery shells and a long, slim shape, making them difficult to handle. Cantaloupe seeds also have sharp edges that can easily pierce a hamster’s pouch.

Also, the seeds are too big and are a choking hazard.

How Much Cantaloupe To Feed Hamsters?

Hamsters should be fed cantaloupe in moderation. This means that once or twice a week is enough for them to eat.

At each feeding, it will depend on the species of hamster you have. For Syrian hamsters and Roborovski hamsters, you can give them a small piece of cantaloupe.

Cantaloupe pieces on table but can hamsters eat cantaloupe

If you own a dwarf hamster, a sliver of cantaloupe is enough for them.

On the other hand, you should avoid feeding your Chinese hamster cantaloupe as they are very prone to diabetes. The same goes for baby hamsters.

Cantaloupe should only make up 10% of the hamster’s overall diet. The rest should come from quality commercial hamster foods. The food offers a completely balanced diet and has all of the nutrition that the hamsters require daily.

You’ll want to feed them other food besides cantaloupe. This way, they won’t get bored of the same each day. Also, they’ll get the nutrition that cantaloupe doesn’t have.

6 Other Fruits That Hamsters Can Eat

There are many fruits hamsters can eat, but choosing the right kind of fruit is essential. Here are some of the most common fruits that hamsters can eat.

1. Apple

Apple contains a lot of vitamin C and can be used as a healthy treat for your pet. Apple slices are also good for cleaning teeth and preventing cavities.

2. Bananas

Hamster eats bananas as it’s a good treat for hamsters. This fruit is a good source of antioxidants and contains vitamins and minerals.

Due to their high sugar content, feed bananas to the hamsters in moderation to avoid any health issues.

3. Watermelon

Watermelon contains many vitamins and minerals, which the hamsters can benefit from. Also, this fruit is high in water content.

For that reason, hamsters should be fed watermelon in moderation to avoid any health issues.

4. Blackberry

Blackberries are rich in antioxidants, which make them great for fighting free radicals and protecting against cancer.

They also contain anthocyanins, which help prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease by reducing inflammation in the body.

5. Cherry

Cherry contains vitamin C, which helps maintain healthy skin and prevent cancer development in your hamster’s body.

Cherry contains no harmful substances, such as pesticides or preservatives, that may cause health problems for your pet over time.

6. Grape

Grape juice provides antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and other benefits to the body that help protect against diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

READ MORE: Is Pumpkin Safe for Hamsters?

FAQs

What fruits can hamsters not eat?

fresh mandarin oranges: can bearded dragons eat oranges?

Fruits such as citrus fruits (oranges, limes & lemons) should never be given to hamsters because of their acidity.

What is poisonous to hamsters?

Chocolate, garlic, and kidney beans are food that contains substances that are harmful to hamsters.

Conclusion

So can hamsters eat cantaloupe? YES, but only in moderation. Feeding them too much of this tropical fruit can cause health issues for them.

By giving them just a small piece of cantaloupe every week, you shouldn’t need to worry about it.

hamster trying to eat cantaloupe but can hamsters eat cantaloupe

So go on ahead and give your hammy a cantaloupe treat. Let us know in the comment section if they liked it.

Resources

  • 1. EITENMILLER RR, JOHNSON CD, BRYAN WD, WARREN DB, GEBHARDT SE. Nutrient Composition of Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons. Journal of Food Science. 2006;50(1):136-138. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.1985.tb13294.x
  • 2. Cooperman JM, Waisman HA, Elvehjem CA. Nutrition of the Golden Hamster. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 1943;52(3):250-254. doi:10.3181/00379727-52-14107
Ben Roberts
Ben Roberts

My name is Ben Roberts, and I absolutely love animals. So, naturally, I love writing about them too! As far as my animals, I have a Pit-bull, a Beagle-lab mix, a Chihuahua, and one old cat. Each one of them provides me with a new adventure every day. And the best part is they’re all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.
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