Diabetic Hamster Diet
- Tofu (firm or medium firm is best)
- Roasted soybeans, unsalted
- Chicken baby food (with broth, no seasoned)
- Spirulina and /or seaweed (roasted laver, no salt or salt removed)
- Boiled chicken breast or turkey
- Egg whites with tiny bit of cooked egg yolk, boiled, scrambled, fried in small amount of olive oil.
- Flax seed
- Low fat cheeses (not process)
- Low fat, plain yogurt
- Tuna in water, drained
Can a diabetic hamster eat dried food?
A hamster with diabetes will find it difficult to dissolve and convert sugar into energy. Therefore, you should read the ingredients on your current dried feed and check for any added sugars, such as molasses, sugar cane, corn syrup, or fructose. If the food does contain these sugars, then you might want to think about changing to a low sugar feed.
How do you take care of a diabetic hamster?
Only give your hamster one treat per day and make sure to remove the treat from the cage if it is not consumed within a day. Fresh vegetables may rot. Feed your hamster a high protein and high fiber diet. Diabetic hamsters should eat a diet made up of 10-15% protein and 50% fiber.
What is the best hamster food for my pet hamster?
I highly recommend Hazel Hamster food: no added sugars and an overall great mix. Store bought hamster treats (if containing high sugar levels, which most of them do) should also be avoided. Limiting sugars puts less stress on your hamster’s body.
Is it possible for a diabetic hamster to be hypoglycemic?
In fact, if we were to withhold all sugars from our diabetic hamster’s diet, hypoglycemia is possible (your hamster’s body isn’t getting enough sugar and goes into shock). If your hamster is dehydrated, it’s likely that their sugar levels are too low.
What foods are high in protein for hamsters?
ProteinsCooked Chicken Breast (Or freeze dried ones from the pet shop)Dried crickets.Eggs - Boiled (feed whites) or scrambled with no oil/milk.Low Fat Cottage Cheese.Mealworms (from the petshop)Plain low fat yogurt.More items...•
Do hamsters have diabetes?
Chinese hamsters have diabetes ranging from mild to severe. Animals weighing 25 g can excrete up to 75 ml of urine containing 3 g of glucose per day.
What is the best thing to feed a hamster?
The ideal hamster diet will include:Commercial hamster pellets (not a muesli-style mix). You can buy these in pet shops.Small amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables or herbs.Timothy hay. ... Occasional treats, like nuts, boiled egg or mealworms.You hamster will also need constant access to clean, fresh water.
How do I give my hamster more protein?
Hamsters can eat certain fresh herbs, including basil, parsley and coriander. To make sure they get plenty of protein, you can also treat your hamster to a few pieces of hard-boiled egg, some mealworms or nuts – just be aware that nuts have a high fat content, and are very easy to overfeed.
What fresh food can a hamster eat?
Romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, cauliflower, carrot tops, broccoli spears, spinach, sweet potato, squash, artichokes and any other dark green veggies are great choices. Avoid iceberg lettuce and other veggies or fruits—such as watermelon—that are high in water content and have little nutritional value.
Why does my hamsters pee smell sweet?
Excess glucose (sugar) in the urine = sugary smell.
What meat can hamsters eat?
Meat is a healthy hamster food as well as a good source of protein. Since wild hamsters eat insects, you might feed your hamster live or dried crickets or mealworms. If you're too squeamish to handle insects, hamsters can also eat some cooked meats. Cooked chicken and cooked beef are safe to feed to hamsters.
What fruits and veggies can hamsters eat?
Speaking of fruits and vegetables – hamsters need them too! Fresh (rinsed with water) veggies are good, and examples include carrots, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, romaine lettuce, spinach and other greens. Fresh fruits (rinsed in water) are good too, such as apples, pears, bananas, grapes and most berries.
What can I feed my sick hamster?
1:154:05Feeding Sick & Elderly Hamsters - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also use a tiny amount of peanut butter and wheat germ and for something to give separatelyMoreYou can also use a tiny amount of peanut butter and wheat germ and for something to give separately to the mix is baby food this is great for helping gain weight.
What food kills hamsters instantly?
Beyond the high-fat content and choking hazard, many fruit seeds contain trace amounts of a lethal poison called cyanide. Although we can eat them, usually accidentally, these seeds often have enough to kill a hamster. These include apple, cherry, and pear seeds, among others.
What kind of protein does a hamster need?
The hamster food you should look for includes 12-24% protein and 3-6% fat. For Pregnant or baby hamsters, you should get hamster food that contains 18-40% protein and 7-9% fat. The reason pregnant mothers and babies need more protein is that they need all the protein to grow.
Are dried mealworms good for hamsters?
The answer is a definite yes. Dried mealworms for hamsters are especially safe for your hamsters. Live mealworms, on the other hand, present a challenge. Since they are alive, they can bite.
Why is my hamster peeing so much?
A hamster with renal/kidney disease will show signs of frequent urination, and increased lethargy accompanied by weight loss. When diagnosed, in addition to oral medication, your hamster will need to be put on a special diet, usually featuring foods that are lower in protein, sodium and phosphorus.
Why is my hamster drinking a lot?
Because their body doesn't absorb water properly they tend to drink a lot. This condition is usually fatal if not treated ASAP. Of course there could be many more reasons for a hamster to suddenly drink more (like change of food or kidney problems) but “wet tail” is the most common condition to cause this symptom.
Can hamsters have Covid?
People can spread SARS-CoV-2 to animals, especially during close contact. Companion animals, including pet cats, dogs, hamsters, and ferrets.
Why is my hamster sick?
Healthy hamsters normally eat well, groom themselves, run and play. They also have full, shiny coats and bright eyes. Hamsters are sturdy little animals, but poor care, an incorrect diet and an unhealthy environment can cause illnesses and even lead to death.
What to feed a diabetic hamster?
Alfalfa hay is the best for the diabetic hamster; it is challenging for him to eat hay, so serve them in the form of cake or sandwich. The best way to serve him alfalfa is with some vegetables or lentils.
How do you know if your hamster is diabetic?
These are the initial sign of diabetic hamsters Diabetic hamster suffers from neuropathy and retinopathy. If your hamster is diabetic he always remains thirsty. He drinks much more water as compared to other hamster and he also peeps more his bladder always remain full and he does frequent urination. His urine has a fruity smell and the color of urine has orange-yellow color.
Do hamsters have diabetes?
Along with food, you also need to control the level of sugar from drinks and juices. Hamster, which suffers from diabetes, has much desire more desire for water than other hamsters. He feels very much thirsty, so he wants to drink more and water.
Is sugar bad for hamsters?
Food contents that have sugar or sugar substitutes are hazardous for diabetic hamsters. The intake of sugar for a diabetic ham ster is considered as an intake of poison. Sugar food enhances the level of glucose that is already enhanced in the diabetic hamster. Thus this so much enhanced level of glucose becomes the cause of damage to other body parts of the hamster.
Can hamsters eat grapefruit?
The juice of grapefruit is also a very healthy diet for hamsters. It is the best juice for the hamsters to keep them safe from the harmful attack of diabetes. As its nature is also bitter, but you can serve it to your hamster by mixing the juice of apple in it.
How to help a diabetic hamster?
Exercise will help your diabetic hamster burn off the excess fat that likely developed, and use up the blood sugar. This will make the impact of diabetes on your hamster’s live lower, and his life easier. Regular, simple exercise like a running wheel can be enough.
How much water should a hamster drink a day?
This can be noticed by your hamster drinking water much faster and often than usual. A healthy hamster consumes about 10 ml water/100 gr hamster per day. That’s 0.33 fl oz per 3.5 ounces of hamster. You can find out more about hamsters and their water requirements here, and how to give your hamster water the right way.
What happens when a hamster eats sugar?
But, the problem is bigger than this. You see, when the hamster eats, his body breaks down all the food into sugars. Sugary foods produce more sugars, and high-carb foods produce more sugars as well. This is by comparison with protein meats, or veggies.
How often do hamsters pee?
A hamster with diabetes will urinate much more often than a hamster without diabetes. This means as often as every 15 minutes, for example. You’ll notice your hamster is peeing more often if you actually see him. He usually goes in his corner – he has just one corner – rolls back his little tail, and just wees.
How to keep a hamster from being lazy?
Regular, simple exercise like a running wheel can be enough. If your hamster’s gotten lazy, or just isn’t a running hamster, you can place him in an exercise ball. Never keep him there more than 30 minutes at a time, though, since he will need water and a bathroom break.
Why does my hamster's skin spring back?
If it takes more than a second to spring back, your hamster is dehydrated. The hammy’s skin has lost it’s collagen and doesn’t arrange itself back into position as fast. You might even notice the skin is slightly raised where you picked it. The longer the skin takes to get back in place the more severe the dehydration.
Can you give hamster insulin?
About the Pedialyte, the clear answer is no, you should no give it to a dehydrated diabet ic hamster. This is because Pedialyte is a mix of water, sugar, and salt.
Can hamsters have sugar?
It is essential to avoid hamster food and commercial treats / foods that contain sucrose, lactose, dextrose, maltose, fructose, (fructose is the natural sugar found in fruit) maltodextrins, honey, molasses and other sweet things. Intake of sweet fruit should be limited to small quantities such as the occasional treat, or in the case of a hamster with diabetes not at all. Even with the golden hamster it may be wise to follow these simple guidelines in order to avoid an overweight hamster and digestive disorders. A diabetic hamster will need regular testing of blood sugar levels then adjusting the diet accordingly, your vet will be able to advise you on this. x
Do hamsters eat corn and peas?
Just straightening out one thing: Corn and peas being sugary is a myth. Field corn and peas in hamster food barely contain any sugar, unlike the sweet corn and peas people eat. However I agree they should not be picked out, because peas are excellent source of protein and corn balances the mix.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes, in the simplest of terms, is a disease that leaves the body unable to control its blood sugar levels. It happens when the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to handle the glucose levels in the body.
Diabetes In Hamsters
Much more like with humans, diabetes in hamsters is caused by a lack of or inadequate insulin production. While in humans such a condition is often genetic, it’s usually not the case for hamsters.
Causes of Diabetes In Hamsters
To know the causes of diabetes in hamsters, we must first remember that these little guys can’t be diabetic at their birth. So, what could make them develop the condition? Well, here are the five common causes of diabetes in hamsters.
Symptoms of Hamster Diabetes
Being mammals, there are a lot of similarities in the way we and our furry friends show their symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms that will help you know if one of your hamsters is diabetic:
Diabetes Prevention In Hamsters
Although hamsters are prone to diabetes, the good thing is that there are a lot of things you can do to reduce their risk. Here’s what you can do:
Diabetes Treatment In Hamsters
Once you know that your hamster has diabetes, ensure that you talk with your vet about a proper treatment plan. Treatment options will vary based on the severity of the condition.
What are some good foods to feed hamsters?
Your hamster does still need some carbs, though. Try supplementing with complex carbs: broccoli and kale are good options.
How to manage hamster diabetes?
Diet is extremely important in managing a hamster’s diabetes; it needs to be much more strict. Remember, though, what might work for one hamster may not work for others, so come up with a management plan with your vet. A balanced diet , though, is still crucial.
What does it mean when a hamster has glucose in his urine?
The presence of glucose in your hamster’s urine will suggest diabetes. If your hamster has ketones or glucose in the urine, seek veterinary assistance. But as always, if you’re worried about your hamster and there’s no indication of ketones and glucose, see your vet anyway. CONFIRMED.
Why do hamsters pee?
Your hamster needs to remove excess glucose by urine output, so they’re going to pee more. Hyperactivity and/or lack or energy. Moods and energy levels often change based on how their bodies are trying to handle the disease. Weight loss.
What type of diabetes does a hamster have?
There are two types of diabetes in hamsters, just like in humans. Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 means that the pancreas can’t produce insulin. As explained above, the glucose in your hamster’s blood will build up and their body will start taking fat and muscle tissue to use for energy.
Why do hamsters have no insulin?
If there’s no insulin, glucose can’t get into the hamster’s cells and their little tiny bodies think they’re being starved. Your hamster may increase their food intake to try to feed those starving cells. Excessive thirst/drinking. Glucose is building in your hamster’s bloodstream and their kidneys become overwhelmed.
How does hamster urine work?
Glucose is building in your hamster’s bloodstream and their kidneys become overwhelmed. In turn, the kidneys will allow extra glucose to filter out through urine. But in order for glucose to exit the body, it requires liquid, and so water is taken from their bodies.
How do I know if my hamster has diabetes?
Hamsters are not born with diabetes; it is something that they develop over time. But how do you know if your hamster has the onset of diabetes? Below we list some of the main symptoms: –
How to care for a hamster with diabetes
All hamsters should have access to freshwater, but a hamster with diabetes is likely to drink a lot more. Therefore, you need to make sure it is constantly topped up as well as cleaning out the cage on a more regular basis.
Which breed of hamster is prone to diabetes?
Although more common in dwarf hamsters (Campbell Russian and Winter White), diabetes does not discriminate, and any hamster breed can suffer with it.
How much water should my hamster drink?
I constantly hear our hamster glugging back mouthfuls of water, which is not unusual for a diabetic hamster as they are prone to dehydration.
How long can a hamster with diabetes live for?
The chances of your hamster developing diabetes can increase with age. But don’t panic, because although diabetes isn’t curable it’s also not a death sentence. By paying special attention to your hamster’s diet they can live a long and happy life.
Conclusion
There are a lot of myths surrounding hamster diabetes, so you always make sure that you do your research.
How to treat hypoglycemic fenugreek?
Treat with a hypoglycemic such as fenugreek seeds or fenugreek powder— up to 400 mg or 25 seeds is safe. Use a 50/50 Pedialyte/water solution in the water bottle. Follow a high protein, high fiber, low fat diet.
Do dwarf hamsters have molasses?
Supreme Hazel Hamster is recommended because of its high protein content and the fact that it doesn’t contain molasses (which you’ll find in Hartz, Nutriphase, and Kaytee). But pick out the corn, smashed corn, and smashed pea pieces in the mix, which are the pieces in the bottom row of the picture at right.
