Feeding your hamsters the right food can be tricky, especially if you’re a new hamster parent. While hamsters are somewhat omnivorous, there are discrepancies about what they can eat. And corn is one of those foods that you must research before feeding your hamster.
Hamsters can eat corn that is fresh, unprocessed and has recently been pulled off the cob. Don’t feed your hamster corn that’s been buttered or salted as it could cause an upset tummy. And while hamsters can safely eat corn, there’s a limit to how much you can feed them in a day.
In this article, we’ll look at whether it’s safe for hamsters to eat corn, and how to feed them.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Corn?
When we talk about household hamsters, people often refer to dwarf hamsters because they’re a common variety. Syrian hamsters are also popular, but if there are multiple hamsters in the same cage, it’s safer to keep the less-territorial dwarf hamsters.
Dwarf hamsters can eat corn as long as they are fed in moderation. Corn is a starchy substance that’s difficult to digest, and too much can quickly lead to an upset stomach. As such, it’s best to feed them in moderation.
When feeding a hamster corn, ensure that it’s the unprocessed version, without any additives. Processed corn often contains certain chemicals that may be toxic to a hamster. There’s no need for butter or salt either as boiled or roasted corn is enough to excite a hamster’s appetite.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Sweetcorn?
The corn we typically buy at the grocery store, so we can boil and eat it, is sweet corn. This variety of corn is consumed directly and can add a few essential nutrients to your diet.
Dwarf hamsters can eat sweetcorn in moderation as this corn is high in starch and sugar, both of which can lead to health problems. Additionally, it’s best if the corn is organic, or at least unprocessed, and consumed straight from the cob.
While sweet corn is safe for your hamster, you must ensure there’s enough fiber to avoid indigestion. Excess corn without fiber can lead to digestive issues that may be difficult to treat.
How To Feed Your Hamster Corn
Now we’ve established that your hamster can safely eat corn if it’s provided in moderation. However, moderation means different things to different people. So here are a few tips to help you understand how to feed corn to your hamster.
1. Only a Few Kernels
You may think leaving an entire cob in the hamster cage is a good idea. After all, how much can the little critters eat? But even dwarf hamsters are monsters when it comes to food and will chomp down on anything in front of them.
So if you want to feed them corn, remove a handful of kernels from the cob and place only three or four in the cage. Additionally, try not to feed them corn for more than four days a week. By maintaining this quantity your hamster should be able to safely digest the corn.
2. Check for Allergies
Some hamsters may be allergic to corn, and it’s best to check before starting them on a steady diet. To check if your hamster is allergic, feed it a kernel or two and observe it for a day for any adverse reaction.
If you notice any swelling, rashes, or loose motion, discontinue immediately. Also bear in mind that some hamsters may exhibit allergic reactions as they get older. So if you’re feeding your hamster corn, it’s best to always look out for adverse reactions.
What Not To Feed Your Hamster
While corn is safe in moderation, you must observe your hamster continuously for any adverse reaction. However, there are some foods you must avoid as they may be toxic to your hamster. Here are a few foods you should avoid feeding them.
Potatoes
Potatoes, certain nightshades, and most starchy foods should be avoided at all costs. While starch helps our bodies with binding, potatoes will lead to diarrhea in a hamster. And if the effect is severe enough, your hamster will die of dehydration.
While it’s still possible to feed them cooked potatoes in minute quantities, it’s best to avoid this vegetable altogether.
Peanuts
It can be tempting to feed your hamsters all kinds of nuts but avoid peanuts at all costs. Most commercially-grown peanuts contain a family of toxins called aflatoxins. These are produced by fungi that grow on crops.
While humans also consume peanuts and this toxin with them, we eat nuts in small quantities. However, a nut or two is a substantial meal for a hamster and may contain enough toxins to kill them. As such, it’s best to avoid peanuts and feed them other foods.
You may also want to avoid bitter almonds as they contain an enzyme that turns to cyanide in the digestive process. Just a seed or two may produce enough cyanide to kill your hamster.
Meats
When people say hamsters are omnivorous, they mean they can eat meat that they would naturally find in the wild, like bugs, insects, and worms. As such, a piece of beef jerky could cause a lot of harm. It’s best to avoid red meats as the saturated fat can lead to various diseases in hamsters, including heart and liver disease.
You may feed your hamster small bits of chicken or fish, but it’s best to avoid this as well, considering the pollutants in meat today. Instead, you can feed them hamster treats as a special meal.
Final Thoughts
There are several foods that a hamster can safely eat, and it’s best to spend some time researching before you bring one home. Corn is a safe food as well, but you want to be certain it’s fresh and unprocessed and serve it up plain and without spices.
It’s best to keep a list of foods they can’t eat and ensure they aren’t added to the corn. This way, you can ensure your hamster stays on a safe and healthy diet.