Hamsters have an appetite for different foods as they’re omnivores, but their diet is more limited. These tiny pets would put pretty much anything in their mouths, and we want to avoid that. Due to their size, hamsters can’t eat every fruit or vegetable.
Hamsters can eat kale in smaller quantities, as the nutrients in kale benefit hamsters, but high calcium levels can be harmful. Therefore, hamsters should eat kale only once a week in small amounts. Smaller dwarf species, like Russian dwarf, should avoid eating kale as it can lead to diabetes.
Quantities are a crucial aspect of hamsters’ diet. If you give your hamster too much of something that’s even beneficial for them, that may lead to health issues. That’s why I’ll discuss everything you need to know about kale in your hamster’s diet.
Can Hamsters Eat Curly Kale?
Hamsters can eat curly kale in smaller amounts, but Tuscan kale might be better for your hamster. Curly kale leaves are tough and curled, which might cause eating issues. Tuscan leaves are softer and flat, making it easier for you to prepare and for the hamster to eat them.
We all have curly kale in our kitchen, as it’s a common ingredient in cooking and our pets’ diets.
Although curly kale is a safe choice for hamsters, there are better options. Tuscan or Chinese kale might be better because it’s easier for hamsters to chew. However, if you prepare curly kale properly, there shouldn’t be any problems.
You should always clean the kale, most especially curly kale.
Dirt can easily stick and hide in those thick bundled leaves. So, ensure it’s all washed thoroughly, then cut curly kale into smaller pieces so your hamsters won’t get any larger bites of bundled kale.
Another important thing is to remove the stem. They’re harder to bite through and may damage your hamster’s teeth.
If it’s hard for your fingernail to get through the stem, remove it before feeding it to a hamster.
One kale leaf once a week is a perfect portion. However, the portion depends on your hamster’s size and age. Baby hamsters should never eat kale as 3.8 oz (100 g) contains 254 mg of calcium. That’s a dangerously high level of calcium for even adult hamsters.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Have Kale?
Although dwarf hamsters can have kale, it’s best not to feed it to them. Dwarf hamsters are susceptible to diabetes, and kale contains natural sugar. High calcium levels combined with dwarf hamsters’ size may cause digestive and kidney issues.
Due to their size, dwarf hamsters can’t eat foods even bigger hamsters, like Syrian hamsters, can.
Although some owners give kale to their dwarf hamsters, you should tread carefully. Because they’re so small, it’s easier for dwarf hamsters to develop health conditions like diarrhea.
Kale contains some sugar, so overfeeding your dwarf hamster with it may lead to diabetes. Also, a high calcium intake may lead to Hypercalcemia, which is too much calcium in the blood. Therefore, hamsters can develop digestive problems and even kidney stones.
These dwarf hamster species should avoid kale:
- Russian dwarf
- Chinese dwarf
- Campbell’s dwarf
- Roborovski dwarf
- Winter White dwarf
Many owners give kale to their dwarf hamsters because of the high water content.
It’s crucial hamsters drink plenty of water, but other healthier options are also available. Cucumber is an excellent choice, for instance, as 3.5 oz (100 g) of cucumber contains 3.36 oz (95.5 g) of water.
Plus, it’s lower in calcium than kale.
While the portion for bigger hamster species is one kale leaf a week to two weeks, dwarf hamsters shouldn’t have that much kale. Half a leaf should do the trick. However, I recommend you avoid giving any kale to dwarf hamsters.
Can Russian Dwarf Hamsters Eat Kale?
Russian dwarf hamsters can technically eat kale in smaller quantities. However, since they’re dwarf hamsters, it’s better to avoid feeding them kale due to high calcium levels and sugar. Too much kale will cause diabetes and kidney-related issues in dwarf hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat Chinese Kale?
Hamsters can eat Chinese kale (Kai-lan) in smaller amounts. Chinese kale is great for hamsters because its leaves are soft and flat. However, give only leaves to your hamster and remove the hard and thick stem. One Chinese kale leaf once a week is enough.
Generally, all kale is safe as long as it’s in small portions and easy to chew.
Moreover, try to use only fresh kale rather than any other processed product. Cooked and boiled kale is a big no, and dried kale isn’t more beneficial than fresh.
Benefits Of Kale For Hamsters
We should always balance the pros and cons of every food in our hamsters’ diet. A bigger kale intake can lead to serious, fatal health conditions. However, it doesn’t mean we should remove kale from our furry pet’s diet.
Kale abounds in necessary vitamins and nutrients, including:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Protein
- Fat
- Fiber
Probably the most important of these is Vitamin C. It prevents scurvy in hamsters which can be a painful experience. Additionally, it helps with the healing process and strengthens hamsters’ immunity system.
Alternatives to Kale in Hamsters’ Diet
If you own a dwarf hamster and don’t want to feed it kale, don’t worry, as there are green alternatives to kale. However, you’ll need to check the healthy quantity of the items below based on your hamster’s size, breed, and age.
Alternatives to kale include:
- Cabbage
- Lettuce
- Basil
- Cucumber
- Celery
Final Thoughts
Although hamsters can eat kale, you shouldn’t overfeed them with it. Giving a small kale leaf once a week will give your hamster nutritional benefits and won’t harm it with too much calcium.
However, avoid feeding dwarf hamsters kale, as its sugar can lead to diabetes.
Hamsters can eat curly and Tuscan kale, but it’s best to give it Tuscan or Chinese kale because it’s softer. Before giving any kale to a hamster, try to remove the stem and wash the leaf.