Are you wanting to treat your hamster to something new, let’s find out if blackberries are a treat you can safely give your hamster.
Yes, hamsters can safely eat blackberries in moderation. Blackberries have many health benefits for a hamster. Blackberries contain a wide array of essential nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, E, and B vitamins. In addition, blackberries have a deep purple colour due to the powerful antioxidant called anthocyanins.
Blackberries are a delicious fruit that has been enjoyed for centuries. They contain potent antioxidants and offer an array of essential nutrients.
We now know that blackberries are a fruit that hamsters can eat in moderation.
Health Benefits
Blackberries have many health benefits, great for your hamster’s digestion system, great for circulating blood and lowering your hamster’s cholesterol. However, be warned there is a line of how much is suitable for your hamster. If you overfeed your hamster blackberries, it will have the reverse effect and will cause harm to your hamster’s health.
Moderation is vital when offering hamsters blackberries.
Nutritional Data
Vitamins and minerals
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin B
- Fibre
- Calcium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Anthocyanins
Nutrients per Serving
A one-cup serving of raw blackberries contains:
- Total Fat 1g.
- Saturated Fat 0g.
- Sodium 1mg.
- Carbohydrates 14g.
- Dietary Fiber 8g.
- Sugars 7g.
- Protein 2g.
Amount
Depending on what type of hamster you have, it will vary in the amount you will give them. See the table below for recommended guidelines for treating your hamster with a blackberry.
| Hamster Type | Amount | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Syrian hamster | Half | Every Three Days |
| Dwarf hamster | Quarter | Every Three Days |
Dwarf hamsters include (Campbell’s and winter white Russian hamsters, Roborovski hamsters)
Syrian Hamster
Dwarf Hamster
Over Eaten
If you have given your hamster too many blackberries, you will find that your hamster will have diarrhoea. Depending on how much they have eaten will depend on the severity of harm. If your hamster had had diarrhoea a few times, you must seek veterinary advice. The more diarrhoea a hamster has, the likely chance of dehydration. Dehydration, if not treated, can be fatal to a hamster, and this is why it’s imperative not to overfeed your hamster. It would be best if you stuck to the guidelines when treating your hamster blackberries.
- Diarrhoea, leading to dehydration!
Tips
- Never leave blackberries in their cage, as these types of fruits can get messy in the cage.
- When feeding your hamster blackberries, try chopping them up into smaller pieces, so they have no choice but to eat and enjoy them straight away.
- If they start saving the blackberries in their pouches for later, you should stop feeding them.
- Don’t treat hamsters to other varieties of different fruits on the same day as blackberries.
- If you have stuck to the feeding guidelines and your hamster still has a little diarrhoea, stop feeding blackberries straight away. All hamsters can have a different reaction to fruit.
- Wash any fruit that you treat your hamster with, as they can have pesticides on them.
Do hamsters like blackberries?
Hamsters love to eat blackberries, but in moderation only. Some may even not stop eating them, as they are pretty fond of the taste. As a responsible hamster owner, you must control the portion size to avoid any health risks.
Can hamsters drink blackberry juice?
Blackberry juice contains a lot of sugar. Therefore, it would be best to avoid giving your hamster blackberry juice due to health risks such as diabetes.
Summary
Hamsters can enjoy blackberries; however, treating them must be in moderation only. Follow our food guide for a safe amount when feeding your hamster.
