can hamsters eat dates? (Risks, Nutrition Facts & More)

Dates are a sweet fruit that is enjoyed by many people. But can hamsters eat them? This is a question that many people may have.

In this blog post, we will explore whether or not hamsters can eat dates and if there are any benefits to doing so.

So, read on to learn more!

can hamsters eat dates? Hamsters can’t eat dates, and for good reason. The sugar content is high and it lacks some very essential nutrients. Dates are also a bit sticky and can cause choking, so it is best to keep hamsters away from this fruit altogether.

If you have a hamster, make sure to avoid giving them dates as a snack!

 

Nutrition Facts of Dates

  1. Sugars – 63.35 g
  2. Selenium – 3 µg
  3. Zinc – 0.29 mg
  4. Riboflavin – 0.066 mg
  5. Lutein + zeaxanthin – 75 µg
  6. Vitamin E – 0.05 mg
  7. Total lipid (fat) – 0.39 g
  8. Vitamin B-6 – 0.165 mg
  9. Protein – 2.45 g
  10. Vitamin K – 2.7 µg
  11. Magnesium – 43 mg
  12. Carotene, beta – 6 µg
  13. Phosphorus – 62 mg
  14. Carbs – 75.03 g
  15. Niacin – 1.274 mg
  16. Iron – 1.02 mg
  17. Copper – 0.206 mg
  18. Dietary fiber – 8 g
  19. Energy – 282 kcal
  20. Thiamin – 0.052 mg
  21. Folates – 19 µg
  22. Calcium – 39 mg
  23. Vitamin C – 0.4 mg
  24. Sodium – 2 mg
  25. Potassium – 656 mg

Risks to Think About When Feeding hamsters Dates

Dates don’t have enough vitamin C. This vitamin is important for hamsters’ health and keeps them in good shape. They can’t make vitamin C on their own, so they need to take supplements or eat foods that have it.

If hamsters don’t get so much of this vitamin, they can get a disease called scurvy, which causes them to bleed, have rough coats, skip, lose their appetite, have no energy, etc.

Also, the amount of other vitamins like vitamin K, vitamin E, and vitamin B6 is not important.

Dates are delicious, super creamy, and chewy, but they are extremely caloric. This is not good even for us humans. The sugar content can create problems with blood sugar. Besides, sugars create an imbalance in the gut flora in guinea pigs.

See also  Can Hamsters Eat blackberries?(What You Must Know)

Also, there are fibers. Excess fibers from dates will upset the tummy of the guinea pigs. Symptoms will be a loose stool, diarrhea, pains, vomiting, gas, and similar.

Fresh fruit must be given as a treat every once in a while to prevent diarrhea and lower the risk of diabetes, notably in dwarf hybrid.

fruits

The serving sizes given assume that the item in question is the only item you are feeding. If you wish to feed multiple items within the feeding recommendation time, you must reduce the serving of each item appropriately. For example, if you were to feed strawberries and apples, you would not feed 1/4 teaspoon of strawberry and 1/4 teaspoon of apple (total 1/2 teaspoon). You would need to feed a smaller piece of each, so that the total amount is 1/4 teaspoon.

All fruits should be fresh, ripe, and in good condition.

FoodSyrian Robo Winter WhiteCampbell's Chinese Serving SizeFeeding Recommendation
blueberries YesYesYesYesYes1- 3 berries1-2 times per week
blackberriesYesYesYesYesYes1 berryEvery 1 - 2 days
KiwiYesYesYesYesYes1/4 - teaspoon1-2 times per week
Grapes (No seeds)YesYesYesYesYes1/2 small grape1-2 times per week
cherries (No pits)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 cherry1-2 times per week
pearsYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
cantaloupe YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
BananasYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
MangoYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
plums (No pits)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
Raspberries YesYesYesYesYes1 raspberry 1-2 times per week
coconutYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
HoneydewYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon 1-2 times per week
WatermelonYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
ApricotYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
Apples No seeds)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
lycheeYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
papayaYesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
strawberries YesYesYesYesYes 1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
pineapple YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
peaches(no pits)YesYesYesYesYes1/4 teaspoon1-2 times per week
See also  can hamsters eat pecans? (+ Other Nuts)

Conclusion: can hamsters eat dates

Hamsters should not eat dates because they are high in sugar and lack essential nutrients. Dates can also cause choking, so it is best to keep hamsters away from this fruit altogether.

If you have a hamster, make sure to avoid giving them dates as a snack.

About Samuel Woods

Samuel is a dedicated and talented freelance writer who has been in the industry since 2006. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to research and write about a wide range of topics while working to hone his skills in crafting high-quality content and implementing effective content marketing strategies. In addition to his writing career, Samuel is also an avid reader and enjoys spending his free time exploring new books and authors. As an animal lover, he is particularly passionate about advocating for animal welfare and works to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in his community and beyond. Samuel currently resides in a beautiful, rural location with his family and a small menagerie of pets, including dogs, cats, and birds.