Hamsters are entertaining, interesting little creatures that eat a variety of foods in the wild. As a pet parent, you want to feed your fur baby what’s best for their health. A pet hamster can eat a mixture of pre-packaged hamster food and occasional fresh treats, but can they eat mealworms?
Hamsters can eat mealworms as part of a varied diet that includes carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. They’ll eat a mixture of plants and insects when roaming in the wild, so offering mealworms as a supplement to your hamster’s diet can be a healthy source of nutrition and enrichment.
If you want to learn more about whether or not hamsters can eat mealworms, read on to find out.
Can Hamsters Eat Dried Mealworms?
Hamsters can eat dried mealworms but should only be given as an occasional treat. It’s best to buy mealworms in their dried form instead of in their live state.
Make sure your hamster has access to plenty of fresh water after eating dried mealworms so that they stay hydrated. Snacks such as apples and cucumbers will also provide water and prevent your hamster from getting dehydrated.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Dried Mealworms?
Dwarf hamsters can eat dried mealworms. Dried insects, including mealworms, waxworms, and crickets, are safe for dwarf hamsters to consume and provide a healthy source of protein.
However, keep in mind that small hamsters will eat fewer mealworms than larger breeds. Start by offering one or two mealworms before you increase the amount you feed your hamster.
But to be safe, ask your vet how many mealworms you can give your dwarf hamster.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Live Mealworms?
Dwarf hamsters should not eat live mealworms. Their tiny digestive systems are highly sensitive, so eating live mealworms could cause long-term health complications in dwarf hamsters.
It’s also not recommended that pet owners feed their hamsters live mealworms because they could cause injury. Mealworms could bite the hamster’s cheeks if they place them inside the pouch. That’s why it’s safer to feed dried mealworms to your hamster if they like to save their food for later.
The best way to feed live mealworms to your little one is to crush the mealworm’s head beforehand. Doing so will stop the mealworm from biting and causing impacted pouches.
How To Feed Hamsters Mealworms
Mealworms are a quick and easy treat to feed your hamster that requires no preparation. You can give your hamster mealworms in their dry, live, or rehydrated form. Rehydrated mealworms should be soaked in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes to soften their texture and make them easier to consume.
Hamsters enjoy foraging in the wild, so it’s a good idea to scatter the mealworms across their enclosure for them to find. Scattering the mealworms will stimulate their instincts and keep them entertained while they fill up on yummy treats.
Mealworms can also keep a hamster’s teeth healthy, as they’ll use their teeth to bite through the crunchy shell and grind them down. Most hamsters will eat the mealworm immediately, but others will put them in their pouch for later. Make sure you monitor your hamster to keep them safe while they consume mealworms.
How Many Mealworms Can Hamsters Eat?
You shouldn’t feed your hamster more than two to three mealworms a day.
A hamster must receive a variety of fruit, vegetables, and hamster food to support their nutritional needs. On the other hand, hamsters in the wild won’t drink much water but receive hydration from the food in their diet instead.
Start by introducing small amounts of dried mealworms to your pet hamster, and monitor them closely to see how they react. Hamsters can have allergic reactions to mealworms, so you should offer a small quantity at first.
Feed your little friend treats one at a time to avoid giving them an upset stomach.
Can Hamsters Eat Other Insects?
Hamsters can eat a variety of insects, including mealworm pupa and mealworm beetles. Many varieties of hamsters enjoy the crunchy texture of beetles and crickets. However, feeding your pet insects is not without risks.
Since hamsters in the wild tend to eat toxic plants and insects, they have a shorter lifestyle. So if you want your pet hamster to live longer, you can feed them other protein-rich foods, especially if you suspect they aren’t getting enough nutrients in their diet.
Try offering some of the following for added protein:
- Hard-boiled egg
- Cooked chicken pieces
- Low-fat cottage cheese or mozzarella
- Pieces of fish
Keep in mind that animal products should be unseasoned and cooked before you serve them to your hammy because salt and other seasonings cause sickness and diarrhea in hamsters. But the above foods should only be offered as a supplement to a pre-packaged hamster food or seed mix.
So, while it may be tempting, it’s not recommended that pet owners forage wild insects for their hamsters. Untreated insects could carry parasites and infections that could be fatal for your pet.
Generally, hamsters can safely enjoy mealworms and other dried insects as long as they’re bred and treated by pet stores.
Benefits of Feeding Hamsters Mealworms
Mealworms can provide essential nutrients that’ll keep your hamster fit and healthy. Storing them is easy, and they’re a convenient, nutritious snack to feed an active hamster. However, monitoring how much you feed your pet is important because too many mealworms can cause obesity.
Natural Source of Protein
Hamsters are omnivores, meaning they need to consume a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods to thrive. Mealworms are an excellent source of protein that provides fuel for active hammies who enjoy running.
Healthy Snack
Pet hamsters don’t exercise as much as their wild counterparts and can become overweight. Feeding them healthy snacks such as mealworms can prevent obesity by leaving them fuller for longer. Mealworms are also rich in omega-3, which can reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Conclusion
A hamster will eat mealworms and other insects as part of their natural diet. However, it’s important to remember the following if you choose to feed your hamster mealworms:
- Only feed your hamster dried, pre-packaged mealworms.
- Mealworms should be an occasional treat and supplement to a balanced diet.
- Always buy mealworms from a supermarket or other reputable source.
Consult your vet if you have any concerns about feeding your hamster mealworms.