You love your hamster, and your hamster loves you, so you want to improve his diet with the best fruits and veggies. But can hamsters eat celery?
The short answer is yes. Celery is a safe, healthy vegetable for your hamster, but you shouldn’t exaggerate with it, or otherwise, your hamster can develop severe digestive issues.
So how can you feed your hamster celery safely? Read on to find out.
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How Can I Make Celery Safe For My Hamster?
Start slowly, with just a few raisin-sized bits of celery so you can reduce the risk of choking and the risk for a severe allergy.
Monitor your hamster for a few days, to make sure he’s staying hydrated and pooping normally. If you notice any issues, contact your vet immediately.
Another thing to consider is not to substitute celery for his usual food. Celery should be given as an occasional snack, not a daily meal. You can try:
- Dried celery
- Fresh celery
- Added celery to your hamster’s daily meals
After you give celery to your hamster, check their cage for leftovers. If he stashed celery around his cage that rots there, the cage becomes an unsafe environment for your pet.
Is Celery Good For My Hamster?
Celery is packed with nutrients and has a lot of health benefits for your hamster:
- Hamsters are omnivores, meaning they need healthy green veggies like celery.
- Hamsters are prone to obesity, but luckily, celery is a low-calorie snack.
- Hamsters are at risk for diabetes if their blood sugar levels are too high, but celery is a low-carb treat.
- Celery is packed with fibre, which regulates your hamster’s digestive system.
- Celery has a high vitamin A content, which is great for your hamster’s fur.
- The high potassium, folate and vitamin K content protect your hamster’s nervous and cardiovascular system, decreasing the risk for high blood pressure.
- Celery is full of antioxidants that protect your pet’s immune system.
- Celery is a fibrous, crunchy food. Munching on celery keeps your hamster’s teeth small, sharp and healthy.
What Are The Side Effects?
Sometimes celery can be bad to hamsters, but only if they have too much of it. Some of the side effects are vomiting, diarrhoea and apathy. That’s because celery is packed with fibres, and too many fibres cause digestive distress.
Can Syrian Hamsters Eat Celery?
Yes, they can!
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Celery?
Sure. Just remember to keep their portion sizes small and check their cage afterwards.
Can Hamsters Eat Cooked Celery?
Yes, but it’s not as good for them as raw celery because cooked celery:
- Loses some of its important nutrients.
- It’s not crunchy, so it doesn’t have the same positive effect on your hamster’s teeth.
Can My Hamster Eat Celery Stalks?
Yes! This part of the celery is perfect for overgrowing teeth!
Just remember to take the strings out first and to cut the celery stalk in small pieces. That way, you reduce the risk of choking.
Can My Hamster Eat Celery Leaves?
Yes. Celery leaves are safe for hamsters, and they’re also packed with nutrients.
But will your hamster like celery leaves? Chances are he won’t because the high-density of nutrients in celery leaves gives off an intense taste.
In Conclusion
It’s safe for all hamsters to eat celery thanks to this vegetable’s nutrient-packed, low-carb, low-calorie content. However, don’t make it a daily habit and keep the portion sizes small. Remember to check your hamster’s cage afterwards and to call your vet if you notice signs of digestive issues.