Bread’s low price makes it a staple food in many homes, so it’s natural to wonder if you can feed this easily accessible food to your pets. Dwarf hamsters eat cereal grains in the wild, and bread is made with cereal grains. So, can dwarf hamsters eat bread as part of a balanced diet?
Dwarf hamsters may eat bread in small amounts without suffering adverse health effects. Only offer hamsters a gram of bread or less per week. Bread is high in sugar which can cause insulin resistance, weight gain, and tooth decay. Whole-grain and seeded breads are best. Avoid rye.
Before you take the twist tie from your favorite loaf of bread, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide that contains all the information you need to know about feeding bread to your dwarf hamster.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat White Bread?
Dwarf hamsters can eat white bread in minimal quantities no more than once a week. This type of bread has little to no nutritional benefits for dwarf hamsters and has high amounts of sugar. It’s best used as a treat, if it’s fed at all.
Suppose you insist on feeding your dwarf hamster white bread. In that case, you should only offer a piece approximately 1 centimeter by 1 centimeter (0.4 x 0.4 inches) weighing about 0.7 grams (0.02 ounces) at most once a week. Feeding more than this may lead to several issues in your dwarf hamster, including:
- Obesity. A single large slice of bread contains approximately 1.5 grams of sugar. Research shows that too much refined sugar can lead to weight gain and, in some instances, may even kill a hamster.
- Insulin Resistance. Though hamsters and rats are two different species, they’re both rodents and consume and digest food similarly. A study by The University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered that rats and mice given bread as a primary food source began developing insulin resistance over time.
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms (Bloat, Vomiting, Diarrhea, etc.). According to UC Davis, hamsters have a sensitive digestive tract and shouldn’t over consume high-sugar foods.
- Tooth Decay. An article published in The BMJ, a peer-reviewed medical trade journal, showed that hamsters consuming diets of grains as their main dietary source develop dental disease that leads to tooth decay. In the study, hamsters were given bread soaked in water as one of the main ingredients.
Can Hamsters Eat Other Types of Bread?
There are hundreds of different bread varieties around the world, but not every kind is safe for dwarf hamsters.
Whole Grain Bread
There are no serious adverse health effects associated with feeding a hamster whole grain bread, so long as it’s provided in small quantities and not regularly. Generally, whole grain bread includes more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients than white bread and usually contains less sodium and refined sugar. That said, no type of bread should be the primary source of nutrition for your dwarf hamster.
If you decide to offer a piece of whole-grain bread to your dwarf hamster, ensure it’s not too hard. Hard, stale, crunchy bread may slice your furry friend’s cheek pouch. Instead, dip it in water to make it easier to chew.
Rye Bread
You should avoid feeding rye bread to dwarf hamsters. A study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Elsevier, shows that rye bread increases the likelihood of dental caries and periodontal disease in hamsters. The study included both soft and hard rye bread, with soft rye bread being more likely to cause dental issues than hard rye.
Pita Bread
Pita is a yeast flatbread made using wheat flour. It has less sodium than traditional store-bought white bread. There is also whole-wheat pita bread that contains more nutrition and fiber than its white counterpart.
Like white bread, pita bread should only be fed in moderation, as it is higher in sugar than recommended staple foods in a hamster’s diet. When feeding pita bread as a treat, ensure that it doesn’t contain excessive amounts of salt or yeast.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough utilizes fermented flour and water as a leavener (known as a “sourdough starter”). This starter is what provides this bread with its signature sour taste. Sourdough is generally considered safe for hamsters but only in small amounts. Homemade sourdough may be a better alternative to white bread for your hamster, as it’s usually lower in sugar.
English Muffins
It’s best to avoid feeding your dwarf hamster store-bought English muffins. These are not an ideal option as they contain extra sugar and sodium and may include other ingredients such as oils or other fats. They contain very few ingredients that benefit your hamster’s health, so it’s best to go for whole grain, seeded breads, or sourdough instead.
Benefits of Bread for Hamsters
So, you now know that certain types of bread are safe for hamsters to consume in small quantities every now and then — but what are the benefits of offering bread to your dwarf hamster?
Fiber Content
Most bread, including white bread, contain adequate amounts of fiber. Fiber is necessary for hamsters, as it ensures their digestive system functions properly. These small rodents require foods rich in fiber, which is why they opt for seeds, cereals, and grasses in the wild.
Bread prepared with whole grains includes higher amounts of fiber than those without. These types of bread can help maintain your hamster’s blood sugar and energy levels.
Protein
Every part of a hamster’s diet should consist of some protein, usually in the form of seeds or, in the wild, insect larvae. Protein is essential for a hamster’s diet because it promotes physical growth and development. Every serving of whole-grain bread contains about 3 to 4 grams of protein, and sourdough contains more protein than most white bread.
Vitamins and Minerals
Taking good care of your pet hamster includes being aware of the vitamins and minerals that it needs in order to be healthy, including micronutrients like:
- Vitamin B. Hamsters need vitamin B because it alleviates stress and facilitates the conversion of food they consume into energy.
- Zinc and Copper. Bread contains small levels of zinc and copper. Even in low doses, it helps hamsters digest protein.
- Vitamin K. Hamsters require vitamin K to produce cell membranes, blood and bone cells, and perform other vital bodily functions.
- Vitamin E. Like humans, vitamin E helps hamsters maintain healthy skin and fur.
Disadvantages of Feeding Bread to Hamsters
Bread may not offer the nutritional value of, say, green vegetables, but it does offer some benefits. Unfortunately, bread can also lead to some negative effects if you feed a dwarf hamster too much, including:
- Diarrhea or Constipation. If a hamster eats too much bread, it can cause diarrhea or an intestinal blockage which, if not appropriately treated, may lead to constipation.
- Stomachache. Stomachaches in hamsters may come with additional symptoms such as diarrhea or abdominal swelling.
Conclusion
Knowing what your dwarf hamster can eat is one step to being a responsible owner. Just because humans can safely consume certain foods doesn’t mean hamsters are the same. These small creatures have delicate digestive systems. Their bodies work much differently than ours, so it’s important that you know which types of bread are safe for these compact critters to consume.