Cheese is one of the essential sources of proteins and fats. It is a necessary component of pizzas, burgers, lasagna, and many types of salads and helps to make food more enjoyable. A lot of cuisines would not be possible if there were no cheese in the world.
But what about hamsters? Can hamsters eat cheese? Do they enjoy cheese just like humans? And most importantly, is it safe to feed cheese to a hamster? This blog will guide you about hamsters in detail.
About Hamsters
Hamsters are cute rodents that make excellent pets. If you have watched G-Force, you must not be new to hamsters. They are cute, and fluffy, and have sizes and appearances different than mice and rats. Hamsters have short limbs, fluffy short tails, and small ears. Typical colors in hamsters are white, red, brown, grey, multicolored, and black.
What Should We Know Before Feeding Cheese to Hamsters?
Besides its protein content and nutrient value, cheese is calorie-dense and high in fat content. Feeding a moderate amount of cheese to these rodents is important as hamsters are prone to diabetes and obesity.
Similarly, high-sodium cheese such as asiago, cheddar, or parmesan can disturb your pet’s overall health. A stitch in time saves nine. So, before deciding on a suitable feed for your hamster, you must know about the health profile of your hamster.
The Typical Diet of Hamsters?
Before moving to the ideal hamster diet, it is essential to answer the question “Can hamsters eat cheese?” YES! Hamsters can eat cheese if and only fed in moderate form. In addition, it is crucial to note some things before introducing cheese as a diet source for your hamster.
In general, hamsters are vegetarians. Their diet mainly consists of nuts, grains, seeds, fruits, vegetables, small insects, etc. In addition, hamsters can also eat processed or commercial feed.
Can Hamsters Eat Cheese in Processed Form?
Usually, processed cheese is the only commercially available cheese in the market. Certain preservatives and ingredients are added to preserve dairy products and enhance their shelf life. Even though cheese is ideal for preparing delicious human meals, feeding hamsters with processed cheese is not a healthy choice.
How to Feed Cheese to Hamsters?
While buying cheese for your hamster, you must choose low-fat cheese with little or no added salt. Low-fat Cottage cheese is the best form of cheese for your rodent. It is ideal for pregnant rodents as it helps to nourish both the mother and the child.
Furthermore, mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese are suitable substitutes for their raw from the dairy market. Unlike many rodents, hamsters enjoy eating ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and cheese puff, you name it. However, the best choices are not seasoned, flavored, high-salt, or smoked cheese.
Hamsters can be fed cheese directly or can be consumed it along with bread and eggs. Providing the correct quantity and balanced diet to your hamster for better health is vital. Remember overfeeding your hamster would cause obesity which can be fatal for it.
There is no need to make cheese an essential component of their diets. For this purpose, the hamster should eat cheese as an occasional treat or snack. Moderate, adequate nutrition and variety help you connect better with your little friend.
Feeding your hamster cheese once a week is enough for them. Also, ensure that hamsters finish their potion and do not stack cheese in their mouth as it might get contaminated due to bacteria and molds in the air.
Conclusion
To conclude, there is no harm in feeding cheese to your hamster, and the answer to the question: Can hamsters eat cheese, is yes. However, you must be aware of the type of cheese, its ingredients, and the general health of your rodents before introducing cheese into their diet. Remember, there is no harm in avoiding unsuitable dietary components for your pets.
