Elderberries are small, tasty, and purple or dark-bluish fruit that carry many nutrients with them. So, it is evident for Hamster owners to wonder, can their little ones eat Elderberries? If yes, Is it safe for them?
It is a question that boggles a lot of Hamster owners. So, I decided to do some research, and here is what I found out!
Hamsters can eat Elderberries but in small quantities. Elderberries are filled with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, and many other nutrients needed by Hamsters. However, due to its excessive sugar content, we must keep the quantity in check to avoid health issues.
We must keep in mind that like any other fruit Elderberries hould also be given only as treats. You may feed him berries at a maximum of once in a week.
Do not be surprised if your Hamsters do not like them. It’s totally alright. Not everyone loves everything to eat. Most of the hamsters do not like it but the others enjoy it the most.
Before we get into further details of how many berries should we feed to our Hamsters, how to prepare it & more.
Let us have a quick look at the nutrients that Elderberries possess and what benefits our Hamsters can get from it.
Nutrition In Elderberries?
Let us look in detail what are the nutritional values of 100 grams of elderberries holds.
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Water | 79.8g |
| Energy | 73kcal |
| Protein | 0.66g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 7g |
| Calcium, Ca | 38mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.6mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 5mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 39mg |
| Potassium, K | 280mg |
| Sodium, Na | 6mg |
| Vitamin C | 36mg |
| Vitamin A | 600IU |
| Total Lipid (fat) | 0.5g |
Vitamin C is critical for the body as it helps in healing. Lack of Vitamin C in Hamsters can lead to a painful disease called scurvy.
Elderberries also contain a decent amount of Vitamin A in it. Vitamin A helps in the development and growth of Hamsters.
Calcium and phosphorus present in Elderberries are essential for bone formation of the Hamsters. It strengthens their bones.
Potassium maintains the healthy heart of the Hamsters. It also helps in the development of the muscles.
A little bit of fiber present in the berries is also essential for the proper functioning of the Hamster’s digestive system.
Are Hamsters Allergic to Elderberries?
No, Hamsters are not allergic to Elderberries.
Some Hamsters might have an allergic reaction to a certain food, and so you must keep an eye out for the same.
You must not include Elderberries to your Hamster’s staple diet. These berries should only be served as treats ( A maximum of once in a weeks ).
Excess Elderberries can interrupt your Hamster’s bowel movements.
Do Hamsters Like Elderberries?
While some Hamsters love to munch on Elderberries, others don’t enjoy it much. It varies from Hamsters to Hamsters.
However, if you wonder whether your Hamster would like to eat Elderberries or not, I would suggest you to give it a try.
Start by introducing a small quantity, gradually you may increase the quantity.
Is Elderberry Toxic For Your Hamster?
Anything in excess is always bad.
Hamsters are prone to obesity and diabetes. If we overfeed them with Elderberries it may prove fatal. Even a little more than a fitting portion of the berries can cause dietary imbalances, especially to dwarf hamsters.
Excess water content in Elderberries can cause diarrhea and bloating in Hamsters.
It is always suggested to give a really tiny portion at first and look at how they react and then only give the rest of the part.
An Elderberry contains cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide when it is ingested. However, it will not harm our Hamsters if it’s served in moderation.
Elderberries alone does not provide a balanced diet which your hamsters need to live. The best way is to treat them with Elderberries once in a week only.
Can Hamsters Eat Elderberries With Skin?
Yes, Hamsters can eat Elderberries with skin. Elderberry as a fruit can be eaten whole.
Elderberries are rich in Vitamin C thus it makes an excellent snack for our Hamster.
But it should be fed in moderation to our guinea pig as it contains tiny traces of cyanide and also has high water content.
Can Hamsters Eat Elderberries Leaves?
You should avoid feeding Elderberry leaves to your Hamster.
Elderberry leaves are toxic to Hamster. Also, it does not have many nutritional benefits for Hamsters.
It is advisable to avoid feeding it to your Hamsters and stick to only the fruit.
Can Hamsters Eat Elderberries Seeds?
Although Elderberries have a tiny seed and there’s no evidence regarding it choking our Hamsters, we must avoid feeding it.
Hamsters should not be fed any seeds as seeds can be a choking hazard for them.
Can Hamsters Eat Elderberry Jam?
You should not feed Elderberry Jam to your Hamsters.
Elderberry jam is made of ingredients like sugar, cinnamon and cloves.
These ingredients are added to make jam tastier. But it can harm our Hamsters severely. Ingredients like cinnamon or cloves can damage their digestive system
Can Hamsters Eat Elderberry Jelly?
Same as jam, Elderberry jelly is also not an appropriate food for our Hamsters.
Can Hamsters Have Elderberry Juice?
It is often recommended not to feed your Hamsters with Elderberry juice.
It has a high sugar content and often upset your Hamster’s tummy. Hamsters are prone to obesity and diabetes. Many of them even shows signs of diarrhea and loosening of bowels.
It is best to avoid feeding them with the Elderberry juice. You would surely not want to risk your little friend’s life.
Correct Way To Feed Elderberries To Hamsters!
We should keep in mind that Elderberries are rich in sugar, so large amounts of berries may lead to obesity or diabetes. To avoid any health complications, it is always suggested to give it as occasional treats and you will surely see how much your hamsters enjoy it.
Before introducing a new food or treat to your hamster you must try a test. This can be done by feeding them in a very small proportion when doing it for the first time. Observe them closely. Only if you do not notice any reactions you may increase the proportion.
Elderberries should be fed for a maximum of once per week. It can be served as a snack after his regular meals.
How Often To Feed Elderberries To My Hamster?
We should serve Elderberries to our Hamsters only once a week.
We cannot risk feeding this fruit regularly to our Hamster because of cyanogenic glycosides, which turn in cyanide when ingested too much.
However, we should feed this fruit occasionally because it is a good source of Vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals.
How Many Elderberries Can Hamsters Eat At A Time?
You can feed 5-6 berries to your Hamster at one go.
You can also mix it with other vegetables, this will make a tastier treat for your Hamsters.
However, in no condition the Elderberries should replace the staple diet of your Hamsters. Elderberries contain a hint of fat and sugar in it, therefore we cannot add it to our Hamster’s regular diet.
Make sure you wash the berries properly before serving it to your Hamster.
You should keep a check in your hamster’s mouth and cheeks, and make sure that your little one is not hiding the fruit in it for too long. It can lead to rotting of mouth and teeth.
After a few hours, we must make sure that all the uneaten food is taken out of the cage. Also, check if your hamster is hiding even the smallest portion of the fruit.
Uneaten fruit can generate a foul smell. This can often stress your Hamster.
My Hamster Ate Too Many Elderberries
If you have fed your Hamster with excess Elderberries, look for the following reactions:
- Discolored and foul-smelling urine.
- Loss of appetite.
- Vomiting.
- Allergic reactions.
In case your Hamsters have any of the above symptoms, it is advised to them to the vet as soon as possible.
Frozen, Canned & Dried Elderberries
Can Hamsters Eat Frozen Elderberries?
It is recommended to feed Hamsters defrosted berries than frozen ones. Do not feed them the fruit straight from the refrigerator. Let the berry come to room temperature before giving it to your Hamster.
Berries direct from the fridge may upset your little one’s tummy.
Frozen berries have almost the same valve of nutrients as the fresh ones. However, polls have shown that the majority of Hamsters love raw fresh food than frozen ones.
Can Hamsters Eat Canned Elderberries?
You should avoid feeding canned berries to your Hamsters.
Canned Elderberries are filled with artificial sweeteners and preservatives, which are harmful for Hamsters.
Canned berries can upset your Hamster’s stomach. It can also make them obese or diabetic.
Can Hamsters Eat Dried Elderberries?
Avoid feeding dried Elderberries to your Hamsters.
Dried fruits are quite sticky. These can clog their cheek pouches and ruin their teeth. Also, dried Elderberries contains excess amont of sugar, which can make your Hamster diabetic and obese.
Related Queries:
Can Hamsters Eat Raspberries?
Yes, your Hamsters can eat Raspberries.
Raspberries contain a decent amount of protein in it. Also, potassium present in Raspberries helps to reduce blood sugar levels and helps in the retention of water.
A small Raspberry once a week is ideal. As it contains sugar, giving in excess can be a bad idea.
Can Hamsters Eat Blueberries?
Yes, your Hamster can eat Blueberries.
Hamsters love to eat Blueberries. Blueberries contain a good amount of polyphenols also called antioxidants. This helps to protect your Hamster’s immune system from various diseases.
A few berries once a week is good enough. Just make sure to wash the berries properly before giving it your Hamster as it may contain pesticides. Do not feed them with rotten berry.
