Milk is the most important source of nutrition for all mammals during their infancy. But while hamsters consume plenty of milk from their mothers when they’re newborns, it’s commonly believed that when they mature, they should no longer be allowed to drink milk at all. What many are not sure about, though, is whether this is a fact or a complete myth.
Hamsters can drink cow’s milk in small quantities (under 1 teaspoon per day). There is a myth that says hamsters are lactose intolerant. However, hamsters have a pregastric pouch that enables them to digest lactose well. They also have an unusual preference for milk.
When it comes to feeding these tiny animals, quantity is always key. Even foods that are safe for hamsters to consume can be harmful to their health when given in large quantities. So even if they can drink milk, it’s important to keep consumption at safe levels.
What Happens if a Hamster Drinks Milk?
When a hamster drinks milk in small quantities, it can be beneficial to their health, particularly in the development of their bones and teeth. Hamsters have incredibly fragile bones, which is why injuries from accidental falls are among the top causes of death in these animals.
Providing the right amount of milk, which is high in calcium, can help strengthen hamsters’ bones and make them less prone to bone injuries like fractures. But even on a regular diet that includes milk, you should always keep watch over your hamster and make sure that it doesn’t get into accidents that cause severe trauma or injury.
Moreover, baby hamsters do benefit a great deal from drinking special types of milk if their mother is no longer around and they have not been properly nursed. Take note that most baby hamsters need to be fed on their mother’s milk until the 26th or 28th day after birth.
When this nursing period is cut short for any reason, hamster owners can give them substitutes for their mother’s milk so the baby hamsters can develop properly.
Only some specific types of milk are safe for baby hamsters:
- Milk designed for baby hamsters. This should always be your first choice when looking for milk to feed baby hamsters. Lactol is a common brand that hamster owners use. It comes in powder form that you need to mix with water.
- Kitten formula. If you can’t find baby hamster formula, most vets will recommend the use of KMR, or kitten formula, because though it’s designed for kittens, hamsters, baby gerbils, and other similar small animals take to it quite well.
- Baby formula. If you can’t find either Lactol or kitten formula, you can use baby formula instead. Remember, though, that the quantity requirements between a baby and a hamster are very different! Hamsters need only a few drops every few hours.
- Goat’s milk. When all else fails, you can try goat’s milk instead. It has less fat and protein, so it’s easier for a baby hamster’s tummy to digest.
But before going to the store to buy any of these alternatives to mother’s milk, always consult your vet.
Also, avoid giving baby hamsters any type of milk that has any of the following qualities:
- High in sugar
- Contains any artificial flavoring
- Has way too much fat or protein
The rule of thumb when choosing a mother’s milk alternative is to pick one that is closest to the fat and protein content of a mother hamster’s milk.
Other types of milk that are great for hamsters are:
- Coconut milk
- Soy milk or other plant-based milk
- Cow’s milk (in very small quantities)
When giving milk to a hamster, stick to only 1 teaspoon (4.92 ml) of milk per day, especially if you’re giving a richer variety of milk, like cow’s milk, to an adult hamster. These types of milk may be tolerated by your little pet, but the high concentration of fat and protein may upset its stomach when given in large quantities.
Why Milk Is Safe for Hamsters
There are countless articles online (and even other hamster owners) that say milk is a big no-no. Some even go so far as to say that milk is toxic to these little pets. What many people don’t realize is that this is a huge myth that may have come about from the fact that hamsters do get unpleasant side effects from consuming too much milk.
Take note of the phrase “too much” there.
Milk is safe for hamsters because they don’t lose the ability to digest milk as they grow into adults. Their pregastric pouch is responsible for their capacity to digest milk. This part of their digestive system is located just outside the gastric area in their stomach.
Any fermentative activity in a hamster’s digestive tract, which includes the digestion of lactose, occurs in this pregastric pouch. And, unlike popular belief, this part of a hamster’s digestive system tolerates milk pretty well, which is why it’s wrong to think that milk is not digested in a hamster’s stomach or that any amount of milk causes diarrhea.
In fact, according to this study where hamsters were given 3 grams (0.11 oz) of milk per 100 grams (3.53 oz) of body weight, they can drink a lot of milk (in hamster standards) without experiencing any adverse effects. However, it’s always safer to give smaller quantities of milk to your hamster.
Moreover, hamsters don’t need to be trained to drink milk in order to to tolerate it. Hamsters naturally like the taste of milk, and if given more than their recommended daily diet, they will most likely drink it all up. But don’t do this or your hamster will quickly become obese or diabetic!
This tolerance isn’t present in all small rodents. Guinea pigs, for example, shouldn’t be given any milk, but rats can tolerate small amounts of milk well.
Tips for Giving Milk to Hamsters
Because hamsters are tiny animals, the amount of food they eat should be closely monitored, or else they run the risk of developing health issues like diabetes and obesity. So while it’s safe to let your hamster have a sip of milk now and then, take note of these tips to make sure they don’t get sick.
- Give milk through a dropper. Milk can make a mess in the cage, even when given in small quantities. And because it quickly goes bad, you’ll want to give your hamster milk through a dropper to reduce the chance of milk spills.
- Do not go beyond your hamster’s daily dietary needs. Your hamster will gobble up anything you give them, so it’s up to you to make sure that if you do give them milk, you don’t exceed your pet’s nutritional needs.
- Do not use it as a substitute for water. Too much milk and too little water can cause dehydration. Give your pet only a few drops of milk at a time and make sure it has constant access to clean water.
Conclusion
It’s relatively safe for hamsters to drink milk. However, discerning hamster owners should use caution when giving milk to their pets and take care not to give too much of it or use it as a substitute for water.