Are you a new hamster parent and you were wondering whether or not pear was a great source of nutrients for your furry animal, then you have come to the right place. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about pears and hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Pears?
The simple answer is yes. Hamsters can eat pears but excess consumption is widely advised against. If you love texture and flavor when it comes to fruits, therefore, pears are perfect for you and they are not bad for your hamster as well.
According to Anne Kennedy a former Veterinarian Technician, medium-sized ripe pears offer 5g protein, 7g fiber, 103 calories, 2g fats, and 5g carbohydrates. All these are great nutrients that hamsters can benefit from, however, it is not advised to give to them in excess.
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Are Pears A Safe Option For Hamsters?
Pears are both great for hamsters and dangerous. Therefore, the answer is yes and no. This means that the amount of pear you give to your hamster determines whether or not it is safe or becomes dangerous to your hamster.
However, if the pear is too ripe, the excess sweetness will be dangerous to your hamster and hamsters are very prone to diabetes.
Do Hamsters Like Pears?
The real question is what hamster have you met that does not like pears? However, these animals are known to eat any and everything if given the chance. These furry cuties will take up any opportunity to nibble on a pear from time to time.
How Do I Feed My Hamster Pear?
One thing to have in mind is moderation. When you decide to feed your hamster pear, it is important to feed them in small pieces at a time. Also, it is important to remove seeds and the pear stem before you feed them to your hamster.
Keeping a close eye on your hamster any time you add something new to its diet is important. If after you give a pear to your hamster, it develops diarrhea, it is important to consult a veterinarian immediately.
Some pears are sweeter than others, therefore, you need to select a variety that is not too sweet. Anjou pears are a great option for hamsters. Also, when you want to give treats you want to give to your hamster, you should pick them up or you are close to them before you feed them treats.
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How Often Can You Feed Pears To Your Hamster?
Pears are a once-in-a-while kind of treat that hamsters should have in moderate rations. You can offer your hamster once every week or twice if the pear is not too sweet. Also, it is important to know that you should not give your hamster pears and other sweet fruits on the same day.
Feeding your hamster pear and other fruits on the same day is not safe, especially if your hamster breed is the Dwarf hamster. Dwarf hamsters are very prone to diabetes, therefore, feeding them tiny portions is best if you want to add other fruits in too.
Are There Healthy Alternatives To Pears?
Hamsters are wide-ranged eaters, therefore, most of the human-enjoyed foods are also very much enjoyed by hamsters as well. Therefore, there is a couple of food that could serve as amazing alternatives for pears. They include–green beans, cucumber, sprouts, celery, bell peppers, carrots, carrot tops, spinach, baby corn, asparagus, sweet corn, mint, parsley, basil, tomatoes, broccoli, pumpkin, okra, cauliflower, and so many more.
There are still many things to be added to this list, however, hamsters enjoy so many things, therefore, get creative.
Are Canned Pears Safe For Hamsters?
Please avoid feeding your hamsters canned pears. This is because canned pears contain added sugar, which can lead to diabetes in hamsters. Canned pears do not just contain sugar but a lot of added sugar.
Therefore, it is preferred for you to stick with fresh crisp pears to provide the needed nutrients.
Conclusion
Pears are great for hamsters regardless of their breed. However, it is best to feed them once or twice every week depending on the variety of pear you give your hamster. However, fresh pears are the most preferred.