Can hamsters eat cheese?
If you have a little cute hamster who’s fond of food, you would love to have an idea of what it loves to eat and what should be avoided in its diet. Cheese is one of the tasty foods that everybody likes to have in their diet. But, can hamsters eat cheese? Is it safe for them? In this article, we will find out if cheese is safe for your little pet hamster, and if so, how much and how often! Also, we will share with you everything you may want to know about this topic.
So, Can Hamsters Eat Cheese?
The short answer is Yes, but in small amounts. Cheese would be a great treat, but as a responsible owner, you should give it to your pet once a week. As you know, cheese is high in fat, regularly providing your hamster with it could cause obesity. You should exercise moderation before serving it to your pet. It is advised to provide your pet with low-fat cheese with other quality protein sources like mealworms or boiled eggs. You can serve soft cheese such as Mozzarella, cottage, and ricotta cheese to prevent any health risks. Make sure to make a healthy diet chart for your hamster to meet its basic nutritional needs. Provide your pet with green leafy vegetables, fruits with a great amount of protein.
There are rare chances when your hamster may avoid cheese. You don’t need to be worry if your pet ham doesn’t like it. You can serve them with other healthy food items that are rich in protein and other essential nutrients. Try giving your ham cheese in small amounts occasionally.
Know a Bit More about Cheese
Cheese is a delightful dairy product that comes in different varieties and flavors. Each variety has its nutritional characteristics. Mozzarella is one of the favored cheeses to include in your diet chart. All types of cheeses are high in calcium, fat, protein, and carbs. It is a great source of protein and other nutrients and offers several health benefits. It is not limited to humans as animals, especially hamsters love to eat it. Having cheese in both your and your pet’s diet may aid weight loss and prevent osteoporosis. Whether it is a healthy food or not for your hamster depends on the type and amount of cheese consumed.
However, it is advised to choose natural or low-fat cheese as processed cheese is most likely to contain fat. Cheese would be a great source of calcium for hamsters who don’t have any kind of allergy. Consult your pet’s vet to get advice on whether to serve your hamster with cheese or dairy products.
What kind of Cheese can Hamsters Eat?
Here are some low-fat cheeses that hamsters can eat:
Mozzarella
Mozzarella cheese has a sweet and light flavor. This is so soft that you can easily cut it into pieces for your pet ham. It contains 9 grams of fat per serving and 4.5 grams of saturated fat.
Ricotta
This is soft and low-fat cheese with a great source of proteins. It contains 4 grams of fat and 2.7 grams of saturated fat. You can serve it with a small berry to your hamster as a special dessert.
Cottage Cheese
A low-fat cheese that contains a good amount of nutrients with no added sugar. It contains 11 grams of fat per serving and a good amount of that fat is unsaturated.
Provolone
This is so soft and easy to cut into tiny slices. Provolone cheese comes in a good flavor that your hamster would love. It contains 12 grams of fat per serving and 7.5 grams comes from saturated fat.
Health Benefits: Is Cheese Good for Hamsters?
A lot of studies show that cheese can be quite healthy for hamsters. Hamsters will appreciate to have it in their diet. Here are some of the benefits of feeding cheese to your hamster:
- Protein – Cheese can be a good source of protein. It helps your hamster to stay healthy and strong.
- Calcium – Cheese is also high in calcium that is necessary for your hamster’s teeth and bones to stay strong.
- Vitamin B – This boosts the energy of your ham, maintain the health of its nerves.
- Zinc – Cheese also contains a healthy dose of zinc that improves the metabolism of your pet.
- Vitamin A – This is an essential mineral for your pet’s muscles to function well. It helps to keep your hamster’s skin and fur in good condition and contributes to healthy eyesight.
Health Risks: Is Cheese Bad for Hamsters?
Even though cheese has a lot of health benefits, there are still some health risks of overfeeding cheese to your little pet. Here are some of the risks:
- Obesity – Some cheeses contain lots of fat that can cause obesity. It’s good to avoid high-fat and processed cheese.
- Diabetes – Cheese is a high-calorie food that can cause heart-related issues and diabetes. It’s advised to feed this calorie-dense food to your pet in small amounts only.
- Choking – Serve your hamster with small slices of cheese. Large slices can cause your pet to choke.
- Toxicity – Blue cheese like stilton is highly toxic to hamsters. It can cause serious illness and even death. It’s not the type of food you may want to feed to your pet.
Final Words:
We hope you liked this article. We have tried our best to resolve your query i.e. “Can hamsters eat cheese?” Next time you go to your kitchen to make a cheese sandwich, consider sharing it with your cute pet hamster. Your hamster would enjoy a slice of cheese as a snack. Cheese contains a rich source of protein with essential vitamins and minerals that maintain your pet’s muscles, bones, and teeth. Serve you ham with a piece of low-fat cheese to eliminate any serious health risks. It’s best to avoid blue, aged, and fatty cheeses. Be careful with the quantity of cheese. If you have more questions, share them with us in the comment section below.
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