Can Hamsters Eat Arugula

When it comes to feeding your little hamsters, there are a variety of foods which are safe for your small pets, while some foods are quite risky for them. In general, hamsters cannot digest very sugary, watery, or acidic foods. If you are thinking of feeding arugula to your little hamsters and you are wondering ‘can hamsters eat arugula, then the answer is yes, hamsters can eat arugula!

However, it is vital to feed your hamsters arugula only in moderation as this leafy green vegetable has quite a robust and mustard kick to it, making it quite healthy for your hamsters. Here is everything you need to know about feeding arugula to your hamsters.

Syrian hamsters are one of the most popular species of hamsters to keep as pets at home. These hamsters are quite giant and robust, and they have a stronger digestive system as compared to their smaller hamster cousins. You can feed your Syrian hamsters a half teaspoon serving of arugula once or twice a week only. Give them only about one-third piece of a small arugula leaf pet sitting.

Campbell’s dwarf hamsters are a much smaller species of hamsters as compared to Syrian hamsters. Obviously, these hamsters also have a much weaker digestive system compared to their larger Syrian hamster cousins. You can feed your Campbell’s dwarf one-third of a one-third portion of arugula just once a week.

Winter whites dwarf hamsters are also a species of dwarf hamsters with delicate digestive systems. Give them 1/3rd of a 1/3rd portion of arugula leaf once a week.

Roborovski hamsters are another species of hamsters you can keep as pets at home. These hamsters are more massive, just like the Syrian hamsters. You can give your Roborovski hamsters a half teaspoon serving of arugula once or twice a week.

Chinese hamsters are small, furry, playful little hamsters which make great pets. However, when it comes to feeding your Chinese hamsters arugula, you should be very careful as this leafy vegetable has quite a spice to it. Give your Chinese hamsters a 1/3rd portion of 1/3rd of an arugula leaf once a week only.

There are about 24 species of hamsters which exist in the world, only 5 of these species are domestic hamsters. The other hamsters still live in the wild in many parts of the world. Here, in the wild, the hamsters are scavengers and hunt for their foods. However, since they live in the wild, they cannot have a very healthy or balanced diet here. The wild hamsters mainly survive on a diet of wild berries and fruits, vegetables, plants, leaves, seeds, grains, and nuts. However, these hamsters also munch on small insects, frogs, and even lizards, if they can get their little paws on them!

Domesticated hamsters have a more balanced and healthy diet, consisting mainly of exceptional hamster food you can find in pet stores. The excellent hamster food makes up for most of their diet and keeps them healthy. You can always give your hamsters the occasional treats of little pieces of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and leaves. It is essential that you find out what the safe foods for your little hamsters are so that you can give them treats once in a while.

What are the health benefits of feeding arugula to your hamsters?

Arugula is a kind of leafy green vegetable which is similar to spinach and kale. However, this leafy vegetable has a strong peppery mustard tinge to it, so it is best to feed this to your hamsters only in moderation.

Arugula is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, calcium, and magnesium.

The Vitamin A presence in arugula is perfect for eyes, lungs, skin, heart, kidneys, vision, and also an excellent antioxidant. The antioxidant properties in arugula help in getting rid of free radicals in your hamster’s body, thus improving their immunity and making them much stronger.

Vitamin C in arugula boosts your hamster’s eye health as well as their skin and fur.

The presence of Vitamin K is also very beneficial for your hamsters as it helps with bone metabolism as well as has blood clotting properties.

Folate in arugula encourages the creation of red and white blood cells in your hamster’s bone marrow. It also helps your hamster’s body produce DNA and RNA.

Calcium in arugula helps to build strong and healthy bones while also helping your hamster’s muscles, nerves, and heart to function correctly.

Finally, magnesium in arugula encourages bone health in hamsters.

What are the health risks of feeding arugula to your hamsters?

While arugula can be very beneficial for your hamster’s health, it is vital that you feed them this leafy green vegetable only in moderation.

Overfeeding arugula to your little hamsters causes them to develop diarrhea, which can then lead to dehydration. It can be challenging to treat dehydration in hamsters, so it is best that you give your hamsters very tiny portions of arugula just about once or twice a week.

Too much arugula can also cause your hamsters to bloat and cause them to have stomach pains and digestive issues.

Can you feed dried arugula to your hamsters?

There is no such risk if you want to feed dried arugula to your hamsters. However, it is best that you start with a minimal amount when you are feeding dried arugula to your hamsters. Give them half a piece of dried arugula leaf at first to see how they react to it. If they reject it, then remove it from the hamster cage so that it does not rot.

Can you give arugula seeds and stems to your hamsters?

Yes, you can give arugula stems to your hamsters in small quantities. However, you cannot feed arugula seeds to your hamsters as they are quite tart and your hamsters cannot eat them.

How much arugula can you give your hamsters?

As for your Syrian hamsters, give them a half teaspoon serving of arugula just once or twice a week. However, for your Dwarf hamsters, give them only 1/3rd of a 1/3rd portion of arugula leaf once a week.

Conclusion

Arugula leaves are quite pungent so don’t give too much of it to your hamsters. Keep your hamsters on a healthy diet of exceptional hamster food and the occasional safe foods as treats.