If you are a proud owner of an adorable hamster, I’m sure you breathe a sigh every time you see dog and cat owners struggle with their pets’ incessant demand for treats. But, while your hamster might not be as persistent with its food requests, as a good pet owner, you should still share your food with it!
It turns out hamsters too love nibbling on their owners’ food, including various food and vegetables. I’m sure their little furry faces and cute antics are enough for you to give your food to them, but you need to be cautious about what you are feeding your hamster.
Not all food is meant for your furry friend. So, can hamsters eat pomegranate? Technically, yes. Pomegranate is not to hamsters what chocolate is to dogs. But, it is still a treat that is not recommended.
Are Pomegranates Nutritious?
Don’t get me wrong; I love a juicy and sweet pomegranate. I have nothing against the fruit! In fact, the fruit is equipped with a variety of nutritional benefits.
To put its nutritional content into perspective, let’s talk numbers. For every 100 grams of pomegranate consumed, you get:
| Nutritious | Value |
| Energy | 346 k |
| Carbohydrates | 18.7g |
| Sugar | 13.67g |
| Dietary Fibers | 4g |
| Protein | 1.67g |
And there are a bunch of vitamins (Riboflavin, Panthothenic, Vitamin C, K, and E, etc.) as well as minerals, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, and Potassium on the list as well!
These nutrients together help in:
So, on the outskirt, pomegranates are excellent for anyone who devours them. But, can hamsters have pomegranate? The reason they can’t have it is hidden within my above-mentioned list. Did you spot it? No? I’ll help you! Hint: Sugar rush.
Can Hamsters Eat Pomegranates?
While your furry friend will definitely enjoy eating pomegranates, hamsters are better off without pomegranates because of their high sugar content that it has.
The delicate digestive systems of hamsters
Regardless of what breed of hamster you have, all of these animals have a very sensitive digestive system. They are very susceptible to diabetes as well as obesity. Hence, you need to be very careful about what you are feeding your little friend.
The high sugar content within pomegranate is the reason why the fruit is not good for hamsters, even as an occasional treat.
Do you want to deal with the sticky aftermath?
Can hamsters eat pomegranate? Yes, with consequences.
Should they eat the juicy fruit? I would say no.
Apart from the obvious reason for wanting the best for your little friend, another reason to avoid feeding them pomegranates is the aftermath that you will have to deal with. I’m talking about how juicy and sticky pomegranates are.
And all hamster owners would know just how messy eaters hamsters are already! The last thing you would want is to have your hamster look like it is part of a murder scene and then clean up the mess. If you already find yourself in such a situation, don’t worry.
You need to use a damp cloth or a pet-friendly wipe to clean up your pet. Ensure that the water you use is lukewarm to prevent your little one from getting cold. But, the fact remains, too much hassle for a treat that is detrimental to their health, right?
What can happen when your hamster eats too much pomegranate?
Has your little one already eaten too many pomegranates before you realized that the fruit might not be beneficial for it? In this case, the chances are a little damage would already be done.
Various complications may arise if your hamster ends up eating too many pomegranates. Here are the main ones that you need to be on the lookout for.
Digestive problems
Another important question worth asking is can hamsters eat pomegranate seeds, stem, and skin?
And the answer to this one is a clear no for stem and skin! This is because hamsters cannot digest the stem or the skin of the fruit. It contains a lot of tannins that cause gastrointestinal issues in little creatures.
For seeds, very few can be given occasionally.
But, eating a lot of seeds can cause digestive problems in hamsters. So, if you observe your hammie getting diarrhea and vomiting, you know what the issue is. Also, pomegranate seeds are high in sugar content. You can say they are the main culprit of why hamsters can’t have pomegranate!
Weight gain
Anything that is high in sugar also causes weight gain. But, in the case of hamsters, it takes very less for them to get obese.
And in turn, obesity can lead to issues like increased risk of liver and heart problems. This leads to a vicious cycle of ailments that are caused by other diseases and so on!
Allergy
This is not true for all hamsters. But, if your hamster is allergic to any of the nutrients within the pomegranate, this can also cause an allergic reaction. This includes itching, loss of fur, rash, and in worst cases – swelling of the mouth.
Your pet will begin exhibiting symptoms very early on if it is allergic to pomegranates. Be on the lookout.
Low blood pressure
There is a lot of sugar and protein in a pomegranate. This often causes an imbalance within hamsters, leading to low blood pressure.
Now, your mute friends won’t be able to tell you their feelings of blurred vision (a common symptom of low blood pressure). So, observe their movements. Usually, this issue manifests in the form of poor balance.
The ultimate risk: Animal Diabetes
Did you know that just like you and me, our pets can also get diabetes? In fact, animal diabetes is quite common in hamsters since their body is very delicate, and there is only a small amount of carbohydrate that they can handle.
This is one of the biggest side-effects of feeding your hamster pomegranate. As of reading this article, if you have already been doing so, I would recommend you to look for the following signs of animal diabetes in your hamster:
In case you notice any of these signs, regardless of whether you are feeding your pet had pomegranate or not, please go see a vet. Understand that this situation is no longer in your control and requires an expert.
What to do if my hamster eats too much pomegranate
Has your hamster recently gone on an eating spree and devoured one too many pomegranates? If so, the best plan of action is to take them to the vet.
As I have mentioned before, the digestive system of a hamster is quite different from other larger pets. What you may deem a very less quantity for yourself of your doggo might be a tad too much for the little furry animal!
And while your hamster might look perfectly fine on the outside, having too much pomegranate could have started a chain reaction of ailments within. So, it is best to go to a vet, let them know of the situation, and see what they tell you to do.
Do your research and pick a quality vet. The health of your fury hammie will be in his or her hand. Also, an expert vet will be able to guide you to be a better pet owner as well.
For starters, if you are still uncertain about my answers to your questions, like can hamsters have pomegranate seeds or can they eat a pomegranate, make sure to ask a practicing professional the same questions. I’m sure they will give you the same reasons as well!
Conclusion
All in all, can hamsters eat pomegranates? Yes, they can. But they shouldn’t.
Yes, there are a plethora of health benefits of eating fruit. Both for you and your pet. But, the digestive systems of hamsters are so sensitive and delicate that it is very easy to mess it up.
The main question is, would you be willing to take the risk of potentially overfeeding pomegranate to your hamster on the chances of realizing the fruits’ benefit? Remember, there are plenty of other fruits out there that will offer you the same set of advantages, but without the risk.
So, I think it is wiser to keep your hamster away from this juicy fruit. Give it other delicious treats to nibble on instead. This can include basil, asparagus, celery, and sweet potato, to name a few.
Don’t risk it! Give your hammie a safe treat.