We now know dandelions offer countless nutritional benefits for humans. Can the same be said for the dandelion diet and hamsters? We know our furry pet’s tummy can be sensitive to many foods, but does that include dandelions?
Hamsters can eat dandelions as they’re rich in vitamins and minerals hamsters need for development and healthy disposition. Every part of dandelions is safe for hamsters to eat. However, you should feed your pet in moderation, as dandelions contain calcium that can be harmful.
Dandelions provide many health benefits to your hamster. However, you still must know how to feed dandelions to hamsters correctly. In this article, I’ll discuss all the health benefits of dandelions and the best way to prepare them for your hamster.
Can Hamsters Eat Dandelion Flowers?
Hamsters can eat dandelion flowers. They can eat either fresh or dried dandelion flowers. However, you should cut the flower into smaller portions to avoid a potential choking hazard. You can also mix dandelion flower petals with other foods.
Dandelion flowers are a fantastic treat for your hamster, not least because they’re tasty. They also provide necessary nutrients and vitamins, like vitamin C. This vitamin is essential for wound healing and scurvy prevention in hamsters.
Dandelion flowers also have CGA (chlorogenic acid) that has antioxidant properties. A study published in A Review of Diabetic Studies found that CGA can also be used in diabetes treatment. Smaller hamster species, like dwarf hamsters, are particularly prone to diabetes. So, dandelion flowers in smaller quantities are a great way to treat and prevent diabetes.
What About Dandelion Leaves, Stems, and Roots?
The great thing about this plant is that hamsters can eat every part of it. Since dandelions don’t have any toxic components to hamsters, like citric acid in some fruit, they’re perfect treats for rodents.
You can give your hamster an entire dandelion to munch, and they’ll thank you for it. That is if the plant is super clean — but more about that later. Although dandelions are bitter (due to sesquiterpene lactones), hamsters love eating them. And every part is super healthy.
Health Benefits of Dandelions
Dandelions abound in everything your hamster needs to keep his body and organs healthy. Most importantly, they’re soft and easy to digest fresh. And every dandelion part brings something to the table in terms of nutrients.
Generally, every part contains CGA, which is a huge plus. A 2009 experiment used golden hamsters and provided ten of them with CGA. The results show that this acid lowered:
- Cholesterol (total, low, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol)
- Insulin
- Free fatty acid
Another study showed that CGA creates a hindering effect on certain cancer formations in hamsters.
However, roots and leaves are arguably the healthiest dandelion parts. Here’s why:
Roots
Dandelion roots are rich in TS (taraxasterol) year-round. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for hamsters. Roots also contain:
- CGA
- Pectin
- Vitamin C
- Sugar
- Mucilage
- Carbohydrates
- Fatty acids
- Minerals
Other anti-inflammatory agents from dandelion roots include:
- Taraxacolide
- Ixerin D
- Phenylpropanoids
- Ainsliside
Leaves
A 2016 paper discussed the properties of dandelion flowers and leaves. The results show that leaves contained far more nutritional benefits or the same nutrients but in higher numbers than flowers. The paper found that leaves have more vitamin C than flowers and roots.
Additional beneficial components dandelion leaves contain include:
- Fibre
- Protein
- Fat
- Iron
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Thiamine
- Copper
- Riboflavin
- Tocopherols
Rare Health Risks of Dandelions for Your Hamster
We also need to be careful when giving dandelions to our hamsters. Some risks can appear with dandelions, though they’re not frequent. Still, always “test” your hamster with a small portion. Give it only a tiny piece and wait for a few hours. If there aren’t any reactions to dandelions, your hamster is good to go.
These are some health risks for hamsters related to dandelions:
- Kidney problems: dandelions contain calcium which can cause kidney-related issues like kidney stones. Smaller portions of dandelions are essential in controlling calcium intake.
- Food poisoning: Store-bought dandelions may contain chemicals and pesticides harmful to hamsters. Always wash dandelions before feeding your hamster.
- Digestive issues: Calcium and sugar can also cause digestive problems, like upset stomach or diarrhea.
How Many Dandelions Should Hamster Eat
As I mentioned, calcium can be harmful to hamsters in larger quantities. So, we need to regulate their dandelion intake. We should balance providing all the necessary nutrients and vitamins and creating a health hazard for our hamsters.
Therefore, one dandelion per week is definitely safe. Now, if you have larger hamsters, like a Syrian, you can even go for two dandelions a week. More than two create a potential health hazard.
Naturally, all hamsters are different. The amount of dandelions per week also depends on your hamster’s age and health. If it already has health issues related to the bladder and kidneys, provide fewer dandelions.
How Do You Prepare Dandelion for Hamsters?
Offer your hamster fresh or dried dandelion flowers, but wash them thoroughly first. Cut the stem and leaves into smaller pieces and give them to your hamster to nibble. You can use leaves to make dandelion hangers. Finally, you can buy dried dandelion roots for your hamster.
Chances are you’ll find countless dandelions where you live. They’re almost everywhere, which means a free healthy diet for your hamster. If you like to pick your dandelions, always wash them to remove all the dirt, dust, and potential bacteria. If you’re buying them, wash them to remove harmful chemicals.
Hamsters love both dried and fresh dandelion flowers. But if you want to dry the flowers, here’s an insightful video explaining how to do it:
You can also sprinkle flower petals with other hamster foods. Just remember to use them once or twice a week.
Dandelion leaves are also great treats hamsters love. They’re not thick and tough, so our furry friends won’t have issues nibbling through them. Give your hamster one larger leaf twice a week, or make dandelion hangers. Here’s a video showing how to do just that:
Final Thoughts
Hamsters not only can but should eat dandelions. They’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and bioactive substances beneficial for our small friends. Moreover, hamsters can eat everything from dandelion roots to its flower.
But be careful. Dandelions also contain calcium which can be harmful to hamsters. Because of that, feed your hamster only one or two whole dandelions a week.