Showering your pet hamster with love and affection through treats is a great way to show your appreciation. Hamsters can eat a wide variety of foods, making finding treats an exciting and adventurous activity for pets and owners. But is it safe for hamsters to eat mushrooms?
Hamsters can eat mushrooms as long as they’re unseasoned and dished out in small amounts. You should do plenty of research into the type of mushroom and whether it is safe for hamsters to eat. Edible mushroom species like chestnut, portobello, and shitake are okay if taken in small quantities.
Do you want to learn more about whether hamsters can eat mushrooms? Here is everything you need to know about safe foods for hamsters.
Can Hamsters Eat White Mushrooms?
Hamsters can eat safe, non-toxic white mushrooms in small quantities. Feeding hamsters lots of white mushrooms could harm their health. It is best to feed your hamster a tiny amount to see how they react before including mushrooms in its diet.
Large quantities of white mushrooms could cause health problems and make your hamster unwell.
How To Feed Hamsters Mushrooms
You can give a small piece of cooked mushroom to your hamster to try and see if they like it. It is not a good idea to feed them mushrooms from your dinner plate if they’ve been cooked in oil and other seasonings.
Make sure you wash the mushroom thoroughly before cooking to remove any bacteria and dirt.
You can cook a single mushroom by boiling or frying it for your hammy and slicing off a tiny piece. Leave the tiny piece of mushroom near your little one’s bowl for them to investigate. Monitor them while they explore and eat the mushroom to observe their reaction.
Types of Edible Mushrooms
The most common types of edible mushrooms you may come across are button and chestnut mushrooms. But you may have eaten other varieties If you’re an adventurous foodie.
Some of the most common edible mushrooms include:
- Chanterelle
- Oyster
- Shitake
- Porcini
- Morel
It’s best to avoid feeding your hamster wild mushrooms as they could harbor harmful bacteria.
Can Hamsters Eat Raw Mushrooms?
You should never feed your hamster raw mushrooms. Mushrooms contain small amounts of carcinogens in their raw form. You should seek advice from a vet if your hamster consumes raw mushrooms.
Feeding your hamster cooked pieces of mushroom is much safer than serving them raw. Cooking the mushroom reduces the risk of them consuming bacteria and toxins, especially since non-organic mushrooms are sprayed with pesticides and other substances that could harm your hamster.
Therefore, no matter how tempting it might be to feed your hamster raw mushrooms, it’s best to stick to edible mushrooms that’ve been properly cooked. Inquiring with a local vet is highly advisable if unsure about whether or not to give your hamster mushrooms.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Mushrooms?
Dwarf hamsters can eat mushrooms in small amounts since they’re more delicate than larger varieties of hamsters. Dwarf hamsters can have a little piece of mushroom along with a varied diet of veggies, grains, and protein.
Wild mushrooms are not recommended because they could contain unknown bacteria. Make sure you buy mushrooms from a supermarket or grocery store if you plan on giving them to your hamster.
Benefits of Eating Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be an occasional treat as part of a healthy, balanced diet. There are no scientific studies to prove that mushrooms have nutritional benefits for hamsters. However, research suggests that there are medicinal benefits for dogs and cats that could affect small animals such as hamsters.
Some of the potential nutritional benefits of mushrooms include:
- Improved digestive function
- Increased energy
- Low calorie
- Contains Vitamin B and Vitamin D
- Rich in antioxidants and essential minerals
Supermarket or grocery store mushrooms are non-toxic and the best option if you choose to feed them to your hamster.
Risks of Feeding Hamsters Mushrooms
Mushrooms are acidic and carcinogenic in their raw form. Many of the risks associated with eating mushrooms are reduced by cooking them. Washing the mushroom before you prepare it will also remove any chemicals or dirt that could harm your little furball.
There is a risk that your hamster will eat a tiny amount of mushroom and store the rest in their cheeks for later. This is a problem because mushrooms are perishable. The mushroom could rot and lead to health issues such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
As such, you should only give your hamster mushrooms in small amounts. The tinier the mushroom, the better for your hamster.
What Should Hamsters Eat?
There are a variety of foods that hamsters can eat as part of a balanced diet. It is important to familiarize yourself with foods that are safe for your hamster to prevent illnesses.
Ideally, a hamster’s diet should consist of the following foods:
- Mixed seeds
- Pre-packaged hamster food
- Pellets
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
Hamsters also need plenty of protein and carbohydrates in their diet. You can give small amounts of pasta or oats along with live insects for added protein. Insects such as mealworms and crickets should be sourced from a pet store.
You can ask your vet for a list of safe hamster foods (and quantities) before deciding on what to give your little one.
As a good rule of thumb, you should provide fresh water in your hamster’s enclosure to keep them hydrated. While wild hamsters do not drink much water because of the food they eat, it’s vital to leave a bottle or dish of clean water for pet hamsters to supplement their food.
Conclusion
Always check with your vet before introducing new foods to your hamster. Feeding hamsters mushrooms in small quantities as an occasional treat shouldn’t do them any harm. Some key points to remember include the following:
- Various mushroom species are toxic to hamsters
- Hamsters should not consume mushrooms cooked in oil or spices
- Mushrooms should be a small part of a balanced, varied diet
A small piece of mushroom could be a great source of enrichment for your little one. Make sure you do plenty of research before you feed your hamster mushrooms to prevent health complications.