Kiwi is a tropical seasonal fruit with a sweet and tangy taste and oh-so-delicate texture. When it becomes available, most people will buy a large quantity to store and enjoy at home. If you own hamsters, it might be tempting to give them some.
They are omnivorous species that consume both plants and insects in the wild. The majority of domesticated hamsters’ nutrition consists of pellet food – but they must, nonetheless, consume a variety of nutritious fruits and vegetables.
So, can hamsters eat kiwi?
Yes, hamsters can eat kiwi on occasion! Even though kiwis are healthy fruit for them, there are a few aspects you should be aware of if you decide to give them some.
Most importantly, portion control will be crucial so your hamster does not overeat.
Stick around to learn more!
Kiwi’s Nutritional Facts
Kiwi – often known as kiwifruit – is a little fruit with a large number of health advantages. Kiwi is one of the most nutrient-rich fruits available, high in vitamins and minerals.
The table below shows some of the nutritional info of one serving of kiwi:
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 43 |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Protein | 0.9 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Magnesium | 3 % |
| Calcium | 23 mg |
| Potassium | 215 mg |
| Vitamin C | 65 mg |
| Vitamin A | 60 IU |
| Vitamin E | 1 mg |
| Vitamin K | 8 mcg |
Kiwi Health Benefits For Hamsters
As the table above showed, kiwi fruits are high in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, and carbs and fibers, making them an essential part of the hamster’s diet.
Kiwi Boosts Immunity
The kiwi fruit’s rich in vitamin C – and this vitamin is a potent antioxidant and an immunological enhancer.
Hamsters are subjected to free radicals through the food they consume and the habitat they live in on a daily basis.
Kiwi’s high levels of Vitamin A and C can significantly improve small furry animals’ eyes and skin health.
They are less prone to become ill if they consume sufficient vitamin C – and if they get sick, the vitamin C will assist them in swiftly regaining their health.
Kiwis Keep Your Bones Healthy
Vitamin K is abundant in kiwis. In fact, one serving of kiwi contains 8 mcg of this vitamin.
Vitamin K helps maintain your hamster’s arteries healthy and is required for bone formation. It has been shown in a number of studies how essential Vitamin K is for bone health.
Kiwi also contains a lot of calcium. This mineral is necessary for robust bones – calcium aids in the strengthening of bones, teeth, and nails.
Kiwis Aids Digestion
As kiwis have high fiber content, they help digestion by removing constipation signs and gut discomfort. Hamsters who eat fiber-rich diets are unlikely to experience digestive problems in the first place.
In addition, kiwi can aid in the relief of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. That will help in the easier passage of food through the hamster’s digestive system.
The Appropriate Amount Of Kiwi For Hamsters?
If you ask yourself is it safe to give kiwi to your furry friends, the answer is yes – the kiwi fruit is healthy for hamsters to consume because it contains no toxins.
Despite the advantages, there are still vital precautions to take while giving kiwi to your hamster.
Even though having it on your pet’s menu has numerous benefits, you can’t offer too many kiwis too often.
That is due to the high sugar, citric, and water content in this fruit.
Sugar is never suggested for hamsters since it might be too strong for their digestive systems. Moreover, if administered in high quantities, citric acid might affect their tummy, as well.
Remember that hamsters adore such meals and will begin collecting and overeating them. It’s your responsibility to keep your hamster’s food intake under control.
That’s critical since these tiny furry pals are prone to high weight and developing hypertension.
If you overdo it with the kiwi, you might trigger these two difficulties in hamsters – and because of that, balance is essential.
Preferably, you should only give your hamster kiwi either once or twice per week. A tiny slice or nibble will suffice to gratify your pet. And no, it should not be fed kiwi daily.
The Risks Of Too Much Kiwi
“Too much of the good thing” is definitely a thing when it comes to hamsters! Hamsters can only consume a certain quantity of meals per day. And if they overeat, their digestive systems would get overloaded!
The following are some of the concerns connected with increased kiwi consumption:
- Diabetes: Your hamster can develop diabetes from kiwi’s sugar content. As a result, their lives can be reduced, and their health can be affected.
- Obesity: Obesity is caused by the high sugar level. Being overweight will significantly deteriorate your hamster’s health.
- Diarrhea: Kiwi has a large amount of water – and excessive water consumption might result in diarrhea and exhaustion.
- Acidity: Because kiwi is a citrus family fruit, it has a high concentration of citric acid, which can wreak havoc on your hamster’s digestive tract.
Types Of Kiwi Hamsters Can Eat
There are many varieties of kiwi fruit – including both the actual portions of the kiwi and all the additional goods manufactured from the citrus fruit.
Let’s have a glance at whether your pet can consume them!
Kiwi Skin
The skin of this fruit has the same nutritional content as the flesh. That implies that giving your hamster kiwi skin is unlikely to pose any problems. Nonetheless, the experts don’t recommend giving kiwi skin to your pet.
The explanation for this is that kiwi skin is incredibly dry and, more significantly, tasteless. The kiwi skin will be the most disagreeable part of the exquisite treat you gave your bunny.
Furthermore, when compared to other parts of the fruit, the surface that unites the kiwi skin to the actual fruit contains high amounts of sugar.
As a result, the sweet and tangy texture of the surface can get trapped in the munchkin’s cheek pockets, resulting in choking or other difficulties, such as dental issues and tooth-rotting.
Kiwi Seeds
We do not advocate feeding the seeds to your hamster. They should be removed because they present a choking hazard. It’s best to be safe than sorry – especially since hamsters can’t vomit!
Kiwi Juice
It’s not recommended to give hamsters any fruit juice. That’s because juicing removes the nutrients from the fruit. And store-bought juice is an even worse idea:
Hamsters shouldn’t consume food with added sugar, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Their bodies are incapable of breaking down these substances.
Golden Kiwi
Yes, we can give golden kiwis to our hamsters. Golden kiwis contain more Vitamin C than green kiwis. Nevertheless, you must bear the portion size in mind.
Don’t overfeed your hamsters!
Dried Kiwi
You must resist giving your hamsters dry kiwis. Dried kiwi is frequently covered with granulated sugar – which increases our hamsters’ total sugar consumption. And we can’t give our hamsters too much sugar: A sugar-heavy diet could cause diabetes in the long term.
Furthermore, the dry kiwi might get stuck in your hamster’s mouth and injure it. Worst of all, the dried fruit hasn’t retained a lot of nutrients, so it’s not as beneficial.
Kiwi Servings Based On Hamster Breed
Since hamsters’ digestive tracts are notoriously delicate, feeding anything other than the mushy region of the kiwi fruit can result in a slew of issues.
Rather than giving them the whole fruit, gently take the kiwi skin off and separate every one of its seeds before cutting it into little chunks to feed the hamster.
The quantity of kiwi you can feed your hamster is also determined by its breed. Some breeds are often more vulnerable than others, necessitating even more specialized nutritional care to minimize potential health problems.
Syrian hamsters are larger and may safely consume a modest amount of kiwi once or twice per week. They’re also more robust, so they can comfortably tolerate this kiwi meal.
But if you own a Campbells’ Dwarf hamster, you need to be more cautious.
Since these miniature hamsters are so tiny, they are particularly sensitive. For instance, they are predisposed to diabetes. So, it’s recommended to avoid kiwi for this type.
If you must, you should give your hamster a tiny serving once every two weeks.
The Winter White Dwarf is the tiniest – and also the most fragile breed. It’s best not to feed them kiwi at all. But again, if you do, restrict it as much as possible and only give them a bit every two to three weeks.
Conclusion
Let’s sum up what we discussed – can hamsters eat kiwi?
As it turns out, yes – for hamsters, kiwi fruit is an excellent treat. These creatures are notorious for devouring everything they’ve given.
Yet, given the kiwi’s high sugar content, it might cause health problems in hamsters. Therefore, it’s advisable to offer them kiwi in moderation to prevent any difficulties. Additionally, don’t give them kiwi seeds or skin!
Remember to be extremely cautious and regulate the quantities anytime you offer your hamster something sweet. It is your job to look after your pets’ health – and appropriate food choices will prove beneficial for their long-term health.
Give your hamster a tasty piece of kiwi now and then, though. We know your pet will love it!
Learn More: What Can Hamsters Eat? A Complete Food List For Hamsters
