Can Hamsters Eat Spinach?
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We love it in salad, and it’s fantastic sautéed with garlic.
There’s no doubt about it: Spinach is among the world’s most delicious vegetables!
No wonder you’re eager to share some with your pet!
The question is, is spinach OK for hamsters? And, if you can give spinach to a hamster, how much can they have at once?
The good news is that it’s fine to give spinach to a hamster, but there are a few things you should know before you share.
Keep reading: In a few minutes, you’ll know all about spinach for hamsters.
Spinach Nutrition Stats
Spinach is a “good for you” veggie for a few reasons. Just like other dark leafy greens, it is packed with antioxidants, and it’s brimming with lots of vitamins and minerals.
A one-cup serving of raw spinach offers an average of:
- 7 calories
- 1 g carbohydrates
- 7 g fiber
- .9 g protein
- .1 g fat
Spinach Nutritional Facts
Whenever spinach is on the menu, you (and your hammy!) will get loads of nutrition for just a few calories.
That same one-cup serving of raw spinach gives you approximately:
- 4 mg vitamin C
- 2813 iu vitamin A
- 167 mg potassium
- 7 mg calcium
- 7 mg magnesium
- .8 mg iron
- 145 mcg vitamin K
- 2 mcg folate
- 7 mg phosphorus
Can Hamsters Have Spinach?
Absolutely! Spinach is one of the best natural treats you can give your hamster. Be sure to wash the spinach well before offering it to your hammy.
Is Spinach Good For Hamsters?
Since it is such a great source of nutrition, spinach is very good for your hamster. Be sure to introduce it slowly if your hamster isn’t yet eating fresh foods. Too much at once can cause gas and diarrhea.
Do Hamsters Like Spinach?
Most hamsters like spinach – in fact, this is one of a few foods they can enjoy quite often.
How Much Spinach Can A Hamster Eat?
While you might enjoy a massive spinach salad, your fuzzy friend has to take a more moderate approach.
Here’s how much spinach a to feed your hamster:
| Age | Amount |
| Baby hamster | None |
| Adult hamster | 1 or 2 teaspoons chopped spinach |
Roughly chopped spinach will give your hamster plenty of chewing satisfaction; the smaller pieces will be easy for them to pick up and enjoy. If you’re offering baby spinach leaves, you can tear them in half or quarters instead of chopping.
The fibers aren’t quite so tough, so you won’t have to worry about your hamster choking on them.
- You can give your hamster a full serving of spinach if they’re already accustomed to eating vegetables and fruits. Do watch for signs of diarrhea or gas; if your hammy seems uncomfortable or has loose stools, cut their spinach serving size by half next time and repeat the observation process again.
- If you just recently brought your hamster home and you’re not sure if they’ve been eating fresh foods, you’ll want to offer only tiny amounts of spinach at first and gradually work your way toward a full serving.
- Give them a single small piece of spinach – about ½ inch square – as an introduction. Over the next 12 hours, watch for signs of diarrhea and indigestion. So long as everything is normal, you can gradually increase the amount of spinach you give your hamster.
How Often Can A Hamster Eat Spinach?
If your hamster likes spinach, they can eat it several times per week. You can give it to them every day, if you like!
Hamsters that are just being introduced to fresh foods should only have a tiny bit of spinach every other day the first week. If everything is normal, you can give them a bit of spinach every day the following week and gradually increase to a full serving size from there.
If you see diarrhea, it’s a sign that they’re eating too much fresh food – and that means you should cut back.
The Correct Diet Is Important
Good-quality hamster pellets are the cornerstone of your hamster’s diet since they contain all the nutrients your pet needs for a healthy life. But we pet parents know that variety is the spice of life, and there’s nothing cuter than a hamster enjoying different foods!
Check your hamster’s food package to see what the correct serving size is, and ensure that they get the right amount each day.
Here’s what else to feed a hamster:
- Unlimited amounts of fresh Timothy hay for nibbling, nesting, and tunneling fun.
- About a teaspoon of birdseed, just once per week.
- Unlimited access to clean, fresh water; remember to rinse and refill your hamster’s drinking bottle at least once every day.
- Tiny amounts of fruit and vegetables, which should be offered at intervals that encourage your hamster to eat the full serving right away. You don’t want your hamster to cache their treats as this can lead to mold that could make your pet sick.
While we’re on the topic of hamster health, let’s talk dentistry.
No, you don’t have to take this pet in for a professional cleaning, but since hamsters teeth grow constantly, you need to provide chewable treats to ensure that their teeth keep wearing down and don’t become overgrown.
We recommend safe, natural items including hay cubes, unbleached loofah, untreated softwood sticks, and coconut shells. There are lots of chewable hamster toys available as well!
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Spinach In A Hamster’s Diet?
Since wild hamsters eat all sorts of interesting things, it’s a very good idea to offer a nice variety of natural treats to your pet.
Here are some of the vegetables hamsters like most:
- buttercrunch lettuce
- green beans
- sweet potato
- tomato
- broccoli
- broccolini
- cauliflower
- okra
- bok choy
- yu choy
- carrot
- carrot tops
- romaine
- potato (cooked only)
- beets
- beet tops
- sprouts
- arugula
- swiss chard
- watercress
- asparagus
- baby corn
- artichoke
- sweet corn
- cucumber
- summer squash
- winter squash
- pumpkin
- bell pepper
- zucchini
- celery
- parsnip
- cabbage
- basil
- cilantro
- mint
- parsley
- endive
- escarole
- butter lettuce
- bibb lettuce
- rocket
Even though most fruits and vegetables are safe for your pet to enjoy, some foods are toxic to hamsters and you’ll want to avoid them at all costs.
The best way to do this is to spend a few minutes researching when deciding which new treat to introduce next!
This way, you’ll know how often to feed each item to your hamster as well as how much to offer.
For now though, giving your hamster spinach is a great way to add important nutrients to their diet while making life a little more interesting!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spinach safe for hamsters?
Absolutely. In fact, spinach is one of the safest vegetables to feed a hamster. You do want to make sure to wash it very well, and of course, you want to make sure that you feed the right amount.
Can spinach make my hamster sick?
If your hamster is only now being introduced to fresh foods, you’ll want to watch out for gas and diarrhea while introducing them to spinach. You’ll also want to avoid offering too much spinach to a hamster that already eats fruits and vegetables. Other than problems associated with overeating though, spinach shouldn’t make your hamster sick.
Can hamsters eat baby spinach?
Yes! Hamsters can have baby spinach. It’s just as good for them as larger spinach leaves.
