When it comes to owning a pet, dietary restrictions are one of the most important things to follow to maintain the health of your beloved furry friend. The situation with dwarf hamsters and hamsters overall is no different since there are things that these animals can and cannot eat.
Dwarf hamsters can eat cheese, as all hamsters do. However, their cheese intake should be limited and exclude fatty or salty variations. Dwarf hamsters should only have a piece of cheese that is the size of a pea. They can only consume this amount bi-weekly or weekly at most.
Throughout the rest of this article, I will be elaborating on the different kinds of cheese that dwarf hamsters can have, as well as going over different kinds of dwarf hamsters to explain whether they can have cheese or not. Let’s dive right in.
Can Chinese Dwarf Hamsters Eat Cheese?
Chinese dwarf hamsters are a subspecies of dwarf hamsters. It is also known as the Chinese striped hamster due to the striped pattern that runs along its coat. But while the coat and origin of this hamster can be a little different than the dwarf hamsters you are used to, the dietary restrictions remain the same.
Chinese dwarf hamsters can eat cheese in moderation like other dwarf hamster species. As long as you stick to the regulated amount of cheese and give your Chinese dwarf hamster other food that boosts the immune system, there should be no foreseeable health problems in your pet’s future.
However, a pet owner’s best practice is to always run dietary changes by a professional.
Remember that pet diets depend on the weight and can differ from one pet to another. So stick to the traditional dwarf hamster foods like nuts, veggies, grains, and insects. And talk to a veterinarian about the right amount of cheese your hamster can consume.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Cheddar Cheese?
Dwarf hamsters can eat cheddar cheese as it is low in fat and salt. All you need to do is ensure that the cheddar you get is mild to avoid hurting your hamster’s stomach balance.
While consuming cheese is not a general problem for the healthy dwarf hamster, it is recommended that hamster owners avoid feeding their pets salty or fatty types of cheese.
Milder cheese is better for hamsters because fatty and salty cheese can give your hamster several health issues, including a weakness towards diabetes. After all, too much of any kind of food can become toxic over time.
The toxicity and diabetes are longer-term side effects and can be observed in hamsters consuming fatty and salty cheese for a long time without proper moderation. Shorter-term effects of feeding larger-than-normal amounts of cheese to your hamster may include bloating, gas, and other stomach and intestine-related problems.
But since cheddar cheese is lower in fat and salt than other kinds, it is one of the safer cheese types to feed your hamster.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese was introduced to the world in the 19th century as a health food with higher protein levels and was more beneficial than the fatty cheeses available at the time. Interestingly, the reasons that led to the mass consumption of cottage cheese in the 19th century are very similar to why you can feed it to your dwarf hamster.
Cottage cheese is the best kind of cheese to feed to a hamster due to its low levels of fat and salt. It is also softer and chewier than other varieties. While hamsters do not differentiate between hard and soft kinds of cheese, it is better to give them mild cheese.
All cheese types will start their journey out as soft cheese, which is perfectly logical when you consider the fact that cheese is a dairy byproduct. But as the cheese goes through different procedures and becomes more processed, it tends to harden. In short, since processed cheese is not so great for hamsters and humans alike, you should try to avoid it as best as you can.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Mature Cheese?
Generally, dwarf hamsters cannot eat mature cheese as they tend to have compositions and textures that may cause health issues in your hamster. However, whether your hamster can eat the cheese will also depend on the type of cheese you have and how old it is.
Mature cheese is a broad term that encompasses several kinds of cheese that have been aged.
Aged cheese types such as brie can have serious consequences for your pet because aged cheese tends to harden more over time and change texture. Some cheese textures may not agree with your hamster, causing dental problems.
If you would like to feed aged cheese to your hamster, consulting a veterinarian for dietary options is your best bet.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Mozzarella Cheese?
Dwarf hamsters can eat mozzarella cheese. The fat percentage in this cheese is an okay amount for your hamster. When looking at the fat amounts of cheese to feed a hamster, you generally want to stay below the ten percent mark.
Just make sure that the mozzarella you pick out for your pet is not aged, and you should be in the safe zone.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat String Cheese?
Dwarf hamsters can eat string cheese, one of the most preferred cheese kinds for humans and hamsters alike. It is also one of the easiest types of cheese to feed your hamster since it already comes in pre-cut strings that can be consumed in moderation.
String cheese is made out of mozzarella cheese, so it is safe for hamsters. In fact, it may become one of their favorite snacks over time.
Can Robo Dwarf Hamsters Eat Cheese?
Robo dwarf hamsters can eat cheese; however, they are a smaller kind of their species. Therefore, feeding them a small cube of cheese every two weeks is best. This way, your furry friend will remain healthy and enjoy the occasional cheesy treat.
Can Russian Dwarf Hamsters Eat Cheese?
Russian dwarf hamsters can consume cheese if they don’t eat too much or too regularly. These furry guys have a lower tolerance to sugar and should therefore avoid cheese that contains a lot of it. But your go-to mild cheese with low calories should be fair game.
What Cheese Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat?
Dwarf Hamsters can eat most cheese that is mild and low on calories, fat, and salt. Some examples of this include cottage cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda.
On the other hand, there are some cheese types that hamsters should absolutely avoid. These include the following.
- Blue cheese
- American cheese
- Brie
- Other cheese types
- Other aged cheese types
- Processed cheese
- Soft cheese
Cheese can be a healthy snack for hamsters when you feed it to them in moderation.
However, most diet sheets will not include cheese as something your hamster can eat. This avoidance is a precautionary choice since some hamsters may have preexisting conditions that can be provoked by eating cheese. For the best course of action, you should consult a professional.
Closing Thoughts
Hamsters can consume mild cheese in moderation, but excessive consumption can get toxic. Therefore you should only feed cheese to your hamster in small quantities every so often. It may also be a good idea to avoid hard and processed cheese while sticking to mild cheddar and cottage cheese for the healthiest options.