Can Hamsters Eat Kiwi? (Is it Safe For Them?)

Sharing is caring!

Can hamsters eat kiwi?

Yes, hamsters can eat kiwi, but only the flesh. Kiwi is packed with protein, calcium, and vitamin C. [1] Hamsters need all of these on a daily basis to remain healthy. Due to the high sugar content, however, the kiwi fruit should only be fed to hamsters in moderation.

Read on for more details on the safest way to feed your hamster kiwis.

Key Takeaways:

  • Remove the peel and seeds before giving your hamster kiwi.
  • The concentration of sugar in dried kiwi makes it unsafe for your hamster.

Is It Safe For Hamsters To Eat Kiwi?

Yes, since the kiwi fruit doesn’t contain toxins, it’s safe for hamsters to eat.

kiwi for hamsters but can hamsters eat kiwi

While the fruit is safe for them, it should only be fed to them in moderation. Kiwi contains a lot of sugar. An excess of sugar can be bad for the hamster’s health. Introduce pieces of kiwi as a treat to supplement a balanced diet.

The sugar can cause them to have dental problems and weight issues. Too much fruit can give them an upset stomach and could cause diarrhea. Unripe kiwi can also cause stomach distress.

Therefore, kiwi is only safe for hamsters if it’s fed to them in moderation.

How Hamsters Benefit from Kiwi?

Kiwi is a tropical fruit that has many health benefits. It’s a good source of fiber, protein, and calcium. Hamsters require all of these to remain healthy. Kiwi is one of the safe and best hamster food with digestive health benefits.

Below are some of the health benefits of eating kiwi for hamsters:

1- Helps Prevent Illness

Kiwi fruit is a good source of vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster. Free radicals from the environment and processed foods can negatively affect your hamster.

Antioxidants in Kiwi and other fresh foods can help reverse these effects.

With plenty of vitamin C in their diet, domesticated hamsters are less likely to get sick. Vitamin C can help them return to good health quickly if they become sick.

2- Helps With Digestion and Constipation

Kiwi is high in fiber content, which helps improve digestion and reduce constipation. Hamsters that are fed plenty of high-fiber foods are less likely to have digestive issues.

Also, kiwi help promotes regular bowel movements. If your hamster seems constipated, try adding a little kiwi to its next meal to help food move smoothly through its digestive tract. 

3- Promote Strong Bones

Kiwi has a good amount of calcium, as well. This mineral is essential for promoting bone strength. Calcium helps maintain the health of bones, teeth, and nails.

Is Dried Kiwi Safe for Your Hamster?

dried kiwi but can hamsters eat kiwi

No, dried kiwi is not recommended for hamsters due to its high sugar content. The dehydrating process removes all the moisture from the fruit and leaves just the sugar.

Hamsters that consume dried kiwis will have a variety of health problems ranging from rotting of the teeth to being obese. Hamsters with a high sugar intake may also have a higher risk of diabetes. 

Therefore, it’s best to avoid feeding dried kiwis to your hamsters. Hamster diets involve a specific percentage of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber. Serve kiwi and other fruits as treats only. [2]

Can You Feed Kiwi Skin and Seeds To Hamsters?

While the skin and seeds of the kiwi don’t have any toxins, feeding them is not safe. Due to the toughness of the skin, hamsters can choke on it.

As for the seeds of the kiwi, it’s too small and hard and poses a choking hazard for them, as well.

In order to make it safe for them to eat kiwi, you should peel the skin off the fruit and remove the seeds before feeding a small portion of kiwi to your pet.

How To Feed Kiwi To Hamsters?

Now that you have the answer to “can hamsters eat kiwi?”, It’s time to learn how to feed kiwi safely. To feed kiwi to your hamsters, follow the instructions below:

  • Cut a ripe kiwi in half.
  • Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh from the kiwi.
  • With a knife, slice the kiwi into smaller pieces.
  • Remove all the kiwi seeds before feeding your hamster. Seeds from all fresh fruits remain a choking hazard for small animals.
  • Serve only the flesh to your pet hamster, and watch them enjoy the delicious treat.

Watch the following video to see a hamster enjoy its first taste of kiwi fruit. 

How to Choose the Right Serving Size of Kiwi for Your Hamster?

It’s important to consider portion size when asking, “can hamsters eat kiwi?” to avoid overindulgence. Treat kiwi as a dessert for your hamster, as too much may cause them to refuse their regular food. 

For Syrian and Roborovski hamsters, a half slice of kiwi is plenty enough for them to enjoy.

If you have a dwarf hamster, due to its small size, you should give them just a small piece of kiwi. A piece about the size of their paw is enough for them to enjoy this tasty treat.

How Many Times Per Week Can a Hamster Eat Kiwi?

Hamsters should be fed kiwi in moderation. This means the kiwi should be given to them as a treat no more than once or twice weekly.

Kiwis and other treats should only make up 5- 10 percent of the hamster’s overall diet. The rest should come from quality commercial hamster foods. Pellet hamster foods are formulated with the right amount of nutrition to meet the hamster’s dietary needs.

Also, it would be best if you tried to feed your hamster a variety of food daily. They won’t become bored with their diet by feeding them different foods. Also, they’ll get additional nutrition that the kiwi doesn’t have.

Other Fruits That Hamsters Can Eat

1-Apples

Apples are a great treat to give hamsters. They include a lot of nutrition that hamsters need. Due to their high sugar, apples should be fed to them in moderation. Also, avoid feeding them the skin and seeds as they pose a choking hazard.

2-Grapes

Grapes are another option to add to your hamster bowl. They have a high vitamin C content that helps improve hamsters’ health. While grapes are safe for hamsters to eat, you should only give them an occasional treat. Feed your hamster about half of one grape at a time. Also, make sure to remove the seeds from the grape before placing the treat in the hamster cage.

3-Strawberries

Hamsters eat strawberries, and it makes a good treat for hamsters and is often plentiful during the spring and summer months.

The fruit contains antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients that benefit hamsters. As with other healthy fruits, strawberries have high natural sugar content. Simply reserve them for an occasional snack.

READ MORE: Do Hamsters Like Blueberries?

FAQs

Where Can I find kiwi fruit for my Hamster?

Look for kiwi fruit at your local farmers market or grocery store. Try to find organic fruits to avoid exposing your hamster to pesticides. 

What time of year can I find kiwi fruit for my hamster?

You can find seasonal kiwi during the spring and summer months. You may also find it imported to some stores out of season. Feed only ripe kiwi to your hamster, as unripe fruits can upset their stomachs.

Why is too much kiwi bad for my hamster?

Kiwi contains a lot of natural sugars that can cause health problems when eaten in excess. These health problems include rotting teeth, obesity, and diabetes.

Conclusion

Your hamster can have Kiwi fruit up to two times each week. These creatures enjoy eating various foods and thrive by adding healthy fruit to their diet.

However, the high sugar content of most fruit can cause health issues when consumed in large quantities. The nutritional benefits of kiwi include increased immunity and healthy digestive systems for hamsters.

So, if you are wondering, “can hamsters eat kiwi?” you now have the answer!

hamster waving at kiwi but can hamsters eat kiwi

So, did you ever feed kiwi to your hamster? Let us know in the comments section!

Resources:

  • 1. Nutrition NRC (US) S on LA. Nutrient Requirements of the Hamster [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US); 1995. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231928/
  • 2. petMD. What Can Hamsters Eat? Carrots, Grapes, Tomatoes, and More | petMD [Internet]. Petmd.com. 2016. Available from: https://www.petmd.com/exotic/nutrition/evr_ex_hm_what-can-hamsters-eat
Alina Hartley
Alina Hartley

Alina Hartley is a small-town girl with a ginormous love of bearded dragons. It all started with Winchester, a baby bearded who was abandoned at the shelter by his former owners because of a birth defect that caused one front leg to be shorter than the other. Alina originally went to the shelter looking for a guinea pig, but one look at Winchester and it was love at first sight. From that day on, Alina has dedicated her life to learning everything she can about bearded dragons. She loves helping new beardie parents start their incredible journey with these magnificent reptiles.
Follow her on:
LINKEDIN
TWITTER.
Read her latest articles HERE
Learn more about her HERE.

Leave a Comment

SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER

NEVER MISS A NEWS OR DISCOUNT